Princess extends cruise pause

Princess Cruises is extending its pause on global ship operations through the end of the 2020 summer season, due to reduced air flight availability, the closure of cruise ports in regions around the world and other factors caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.

This includes the following cruises and associated cruise tours: all remaining Alaska cruises on Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess; all remaining Europe and Transatlantic cruises on Enchanted Princess, Regal Princess, Sky Princess, Crown Princess and Island Princess; Summer Caribbean cruises and all Canada & New England cruises on Caribbean Princess and Sky Princess; Summer to Fall cruises departing from Japan on Diamond Princess; Australia-based cruises on Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess through end-August; July cruises sailing from Taiwan on Majestic Princess; as well as Fall cruises sailing to Hawaii and French Polynesia on Pacific Princess through November.

Princess Cruises extends pause on sailings for rest of 2020 summer season

“While prioritising health and safety, it is with much disappointment that we announce an extension of our pause of global operations due to the Covid-19 outbreak,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises.

“Among other disruptions, airlines have limited their flight availability and many popular cruise ports are closed. It saddens us to think about the impact on the livelihood of our teammates, business partners and the communities we visit.”

Guests currently booked on these cancelled voyages, who have paid in full, will receive a future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to 100 per cent of the cruise fare paid, plus an additional bonus FCC equal to 25 per cent of the cruise fare.

For guests who have not paid in full, Princess will double the deposit, providing a refundable FCC for the money currently on deposit, plus a matching bonus FCC that can be used on any voyage through May 1, 2022. The matching bonus FCC will not exceed the base cruise fare amount of the current cruise booked, and will have a minimum value of US$100 per person.

Alternatively, guests can request a full refund for all monies paid on their booking on the company’s website. Requests must be received by June 15, 2020, or they will receive the refundable FCC option.

Princess said in a statement that it will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full, in recognition of “the critical role they play in the cruise line’s business and success”.

Sponsored Post