What Every Traveler Should Know About Ending A Cruise Early

Were you one of the millions of Americans who set sail on a cruise last year? Or perhaps you're planning to join the ranks this season. Many cruisers are drawn by the appeal of exploring several destinations while flying in and out of the same airport. On a closed-loop cruise from a U.S. port (embarking and disembarking in the same place), you might not even need a passport to visit new countries. 

However, not all passengers complete their journey as expected. Medical evacuations if you get sick on a cruise and disembarking early because of an emergency are one thing. Voluntarily ending a cruise before the final port is quite another, and your ability to do so may depend on your itinerary. 

For cruises that start and end in the U.S., the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) might stand in the way of your waltzing off down the gangway. Most cruise lines are not permitted to transport passengers from one U.S. port to another. The PVSA states that only U.S.-owned and registered vessels can do that, and the vast majority of cruise ships are not registered in the U.S. Cruise lines can be fined $798 for each passenger who bows out early, so don't expect a refund for leaving early, as that fine could be passed on to you, the customer.

So, are there any exceptions? Let's look at the worst-case scenario first. If the service doesn't meet your expectations, you might be able to abandon ship. According to the International Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights, passengers have the "right to disembark a docked ship if essential provisions such as food, water, restroom facilities and access to medical care cannot adequately be provided onboard." But do note that the captain can refuse your request for safety reasons. (Get ahead of the game before you book and check out which cruise lines are the cleanest and dirtiest!)

What if the PVSA doesn't apply? Well, that means you're trying to get off in a foreign country, and immigration and customs laws apply instead. You'll need to check whether and how you can enter. One place you may be able to end your cruise early is in Europe, where booking a cruise could save you money on travel. Several cruisers report being allowed to jump ship early in a European port with prior authorization from the cruise line.

And that brings us to the last thing to consider: the cruise line itself. You always need to tell the line if you're leaving early (unless you want a search and rescue operation launched in your honor). Certain companies, like Royal Caribbean, forbid passengers from planning to disembark early. Others, like Disney, don't have a blanket ban, though their website mentions fines that passengers may incur.