PRINCESS Cruises this morning announced it was making the “extremely difficult decision” to extend its pause of global ship operations for the rest of the 2020 northern summer season. The company cited “reduced air flight ability” for the move, as well as the closure of cruise ports in regions across...
PRINCESS Cruises this morning announced it was making the “extremely difficult decision” to extend its pause of global ship operations for the rest of the 2020 northern summer season.
The company cited “reduced air flight ability” for the move, as well as the closure of cruise ports in regions across the globe and other factors caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The suspension impacts Australian-based cruises on Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess through until the end of Aug, along with northern summer to autumn voyages departing Japan on Diamond Princess.
All remaining Alaska cruises on Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess have been cancelled, as well as Europe and transatlantic voyages aboard Crown Princess, Enchanted Princess, Island Princess, Regal Princess and Sky Princess.
Also cancelled are Jul cruises sailing from Taiwan aboard Majestic Princess, and Pacific Princess sailings to Hawai’i and French Polynesia through to Nov.
Caribbean Princess and Sky Princess cruises to the Caribbean, Canada and New England are also included in the suspensions.
“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 Princess President Jan Swartz.
“It saddens us to think about the impact on the livelihood of our teammates, business partners and the communities we visit”.
Guests booked on the cancelled voyages who have paid in full will receive a 100% future cruise credit plus an additional bonus credit equal to 25% of the fare.
For guests who have not paid in full, Princess will “double the deposit,” providing a refundable future cruise credit for the money currently on deposit plus a matching bonus credit that can be used on any Princess voyage through until 01 May 2022.
To be automatically provided, the matching bonus credit will not exceed the base cruise fare amount of the current cruise, and will have a minimum value of $100 per person.
Alternatively guests can request a full refund of all monies paid on their booking by completing an online form (CLICK HERE), and requests must be received by 15 Jun or they will receive the refundable future cruise credit.
Princess will protect travel agent 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,” the company said.
More details at princess.com.
