A number of cruise lines have recently announced the temporary suspension of all cruises, due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and resulting travel restrictions. Viking Cruises was the first to make the decision yesterday afternoon (CW breaking news), revealing it would cancel all river and ocean cruise operations until 01...
A number of cruise lines have recently announced the temporary suspension of all cruises, due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and resulting travel restrictions.
Viking Cruises was the first to make the decision yesterday afternoon (CW breaking news), revealing it would cancel all river and ocean cruise operations until 01 May.
Affected Viking guests will be compensated in the way of a future cruise voucher valued at 125%, or a refund equal to the amount paid.
“The situation has now become such that operating…involves significant risks of quarantines or medical detentions, which could diminish the travel experiences for which our guests have been planning,” Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen announced in a video (watch HERE).
Carnival Cruises has also put a stop to all itineraries across its Princess Cruises line for 60 days (CW breaking news), with sailings currently underway to be cut short, unless they are scheduled to wrap up before 17 Mar.
“While this is a difficult business decision, we firmly believe it is the right one and is in alignment with our company’s core values,” said Princess Cruises President Jan Swartz in a video message – CLICK HERE to view.
Princess will allow guests booked on cancelled cruises to transfer 100% of the money paid to a future cruise of their choice, plus an “additional generous future cruise credit benefit”.
Princess will protect travel agent commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full, and for the total amount of the future cruise credits.
Following suit, Celeystial Cruises has suspended all cruise operations until 01 May, with the seven-night Three Continents, seven-night Eclectic Aegean, and three- and four-night Iconic Aegean sailings affected.
Celeystial guests who paid in full for the cancelled sailings will be offered a future cruise credit valued at 120% of the original booking value, or a refund of original amount paid.
Uniworld has made a similar call, announcing it will suspend all European itineraries until 23 Apr, with guests able to rebook to any 2020 or 2021 cruise or receive a future cruise credit valid for the next 24 months.
Meanwhile, Virgin Voyages has postponed the inaugural sailing season for Scarlet Lady until 15 Jul, with guests able to get a full refund or a voyage credit with “extra special bonuses” if they book a future sailing.
