CRUISE LINE POLICY Archives - Elliott Report

When Cory Belkov canceled his Carnival cruise, he expected a partial refund — not a surprise $500 penalty. The fee was never disclosed at booking, and both Carnival and the travel agency deflected responsibility. But under consumer protection laws, hidden cancellation terms may not be enforceable. After months of finger-pointing, here's how Cory got his money back — and what every cruise passenger needs to check before booking.

Carnival charged me a $500 cancellation fee I didn’t know about. Can I get it back?

October 30, 2025October 29, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

When Cory Belkov cancels his Carnival cruise, he gets a refund — minus a $500 cancellation fee. It’s the first he’s heard of the fee. Does he have to pay?