Two Cruise Lines Cancel Sailings Through Mid-Spring
As Princess Cruises and Holland America both continue to prepare and develop plans to meet the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Framework for Conditional Sailing Order,” the lines have made the decision to extend their pause in operations.
Early Wednesday morning, Carnival Cruise Line announced that they were canceling voyages through March 31, 2021.
Princess Cruises
Ruby Princess (Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises)
Princess Cruises has extended its pause in sailings through May 14, 2021. Citing uncertainty around travel restrictions as well as the fact that it is still continuing to ready its ships to sail, the pause will affect sailings in the Caribbean and California as well as early season Alaska and Europe voyages.
Princess Cruises president Jan Swartz said, “We appreciate the patience from our loyal guests and travel advisors as we work to meet the health and safety requirements for our return to service. We continue to prepare our ships for our return to service and we are eager to see our guests back on board to create summertime memories.”
Travelers who are currently booked on these now-canceled voyages will have the option to receive a refundable Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100 percent of the cruise fare paid, plus a bonus FCC equal to 25 percent of the cruise fare paid.
To receive the Future Cruise Credit, no action is required. They can be used on any voyages booked by May 1, 2022 that is sailing by December 31, 2022.
Those who want a refund instead can request one through this online form. Requests must be received by February 15, 2021 or guests will automatically receive a FCC.
Previously, Princess Cruises paused global operations through March 31, 2021.
MORE: Princess Cruises Puts Money Where Its Mouth Is
Holland America
Westerdam (Photo courtesy of Holland America)
Holland America has paused operations on all departures through April 30, 2021, and some sailings beyond that. It will affect voyages in Alaska, the Mexican Riviera, Pacific Coast, Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Canada/New England.
Cruises impacted by this further pause in operations are as follows:
- All cruise departures through April 30, 2021
- Alaska: Eurodam and Oosterdam through the first week of June; Koningsdam through mid-May; Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam through mid-May; and Zuiderdam through early June
- Mediterranean: Volendam and Westerdam cruises through early June
- Canada/New England: Zaandam cruises through August
Any Land+Sea Journeys connected with canceled Alaska cruises are also canceled.
Like with Princess Cruises sailings, guests who were booked on now-canceled cruises will automatically receive a Future Cruise Credit. Those who have paid in full will receive a 125 percent FCC. Those who have not paid in full will receive a FCC of double the amount of the deposit. The minimum FCC is $100 and the maximum will be the base cruise fare paid.
The Future Cruise Credit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be used to book cruises departing through December 31, 2022. Those who want a 100 percent refund instead can fill out the Cancellation Preferences Form no later than February 15, 2021.
Previously, Holland America had paused global cruise operations through March 31, 2021.