NEW cancellation and amendment policies issued this week by a number of cruise lines have been welcomed by the travel industry, which is facing a mounting tide of concern from cruisers worried about the COVID-19 outbreak, particularly those with upcoming 2020 European summer bookings. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises yesterday announced...
NEW cancellation and amendment policies issued this week by a number of cruise lines have been welcomed by the travel industry, which is facing a mounting tide of concern from cruisers worried about the COVID-19 outbreak, particularly those with upcoming 2020 European summer bookings.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises yesterday announced a significant change for clients with existing or prospective Uniworld or U River Cruises bookings, giving them the option at 30 days prior to departure to cancel their trip at the 120+ day cancellation rate of only $250 per person.
Zoe Dean, Uniworld Head of Marketing, said “at times like these, partnership truly takes on added importance as we work together to give our clients and guests the flexibility to make informed decisions about their travel plans”.
She said the new policy would give customers more time to make decisions about their future travel plans without worrying about increasing penalties.
MSC Cruises has also announced it is cutting cancellation terms to just 21 days for existing bookings on sailings in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean in Apr, May and Jun 2020.
The same flexibility applies for new MSC bookings from this week through to 31 Mar, meaning up to three weeks before departure clients can cancel and only lose non-refundable deposits – which have also been reduced to just $50 per person per cruise.
MSC is also giving customers with Mar 2020 Mediterranean bookings the ability to postpone their cruise or change to another region for up to 12 months.
Cruise Weekly has reached out to other cruise lines for any policy updates – see next week’s issues for all the latest information.
Pictured: MSC Bellissima.
