Cruise lines are continuing to adapt their cancellation and change policies to the evolving coronavirus situation.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line is on hiatus from now until April 09 with plans to resume service on April 10.
The company is providing the following options for those who planned their vacation around this time:
| Current Cruise Length | Option 1 - Enhanced Value | Option 2 - What You Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Six plus days |
|
100 percent refund |
| Five days or less |
|
100 percent refund |
Cruisers have until December 31, 2020 to select one of these new options or they will automatically receive a 100 percent Future Cruise Credit.
Carnival Vacation Protection, pre-paid gratuities, pre-purchased Carnival shore excursions, beverage and Wi-Fi packages and Fun Shop purchases will be automatically refunded to the original form of the payment regardless of the option customers select, their taxes, fees and port expenses.
Princess Cruises
Similar to Carnival Cruise Line, Princes Cruises will cease global operations of all vessels for 60 days (from now until May 10). Those onboard a cruise sailing beyond March 17 will disembark at the most convenient location, keeping in mind Princess Cruises' operational requirements.
Anyone impacted by these cancellations can transfer 100 percent of the money paid for their cruise to a future cruise of their choice. Additionally, Princess Cruises will add an additional future cruise credit benefit, which can be applied to the cruise fair. The credit, which includes those who made a final payment and cancelled their booking on or after February 4, 2020, can be used on any cruise departing through May 1, 2020. Guest can also fill out an online form to request a refund.
Princess Cruises is planning to resume operations on May 11, 2020.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Brands
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is suspending all sailings with plans to return to service on April 11.
Previous Policy:
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. cruise brands – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara – as well as Silversea (in which the company owns a 67 percent stake) have adopted the new “Cruise with Confidence” policy. Guests booked on a cruise departing prior to July 31, 2020, can cancel up to 48 hours before sailing and receive a full cruise credit to use on any future sailing of the guest’s choice in 2020 or 2021. The policy applies to both new and existing cruise bookings.
Additionally, Silversea reports that it will protect travel advisor commissions on all bookings canceled under the Cruise with Confidence program set to depart between March 9 and July 31, 2020. Under the new policy, which is in addition to the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. program, Silversea will allow travel partners to retain any commissions already paid, and pay commissions on bookings canceled between March 9 and July 31, 2020 after they were paid in full, provided the cancellation occurs outside of the 48-hour cancellation window outlined in the Cruise with Confidence program. Further, bookings made through redemption of these Future Cruise Credits will also be eligible for full commission based on the cruise value of the new booking.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises is suspending all U.S. based cruises until April 30 and has suspended vessels across high-risk areas including the Mediterranean, the Gulf and Asia. Once their itineraries are completed, vessels in South America and South Africa will also end their operations.
Those affected by the cancellations can transfer all of the money along with an added credit benefit to a future cruise of their choice until the end of 2021. After December 31, cruisers will receive a full refund.
Holland America Line
Holland America Line is suspending all operations from now through April 14, 2020. During the hiatus, corporate employees will continue to assist guests and travel advisors affected by these changes and prepare to reinstate operations later this year.
Previous Policy:
Guests booked on a Holland America Line cruise or Alaska Land+Sea Journey through May 31, 2020, can cancel and receive a future cruise credit for the amount of the paid fare which can be used for another cruise in 2020 or 2021. The FCC must be booked by December 31, 2020, and the cancellation must be made with a minimum of 72 hours in advance of departure date but no later than March 31, 2020. However, guests booked between now and March 9, 2020 may also cancel under this new policy despite being within 72 hours.
For those who choose to keep their cruise plans on departures through May 31, 2020, an Onboard Spending Credit of $200 per stateroom/$100 per person for voyages longer than seven days and $100 per stateroom/$50 per person for voyages less than six days will be automatically applied to their shipboard account.
Additionally, guests who make a new booking by April 30, 2020, for itineraries that depart on or before October 15, 2020, can cancel for any reason and receive a future cruise credit in the amount of any cancellation fees applied, so long as they cancel up to 30 days before departure.
The cruise line is also offering a Cancellation Protection Plan for new cruises or Alaska Land+Sea Journeys. The program, offering a Standard or Platinum plan, allows guests to cancel up to 24 hours before cruise departure with Standard and right up to departure under Platinum and receive refunds from 80 to 90 percent of eligible amounts paid. The cost varies by cruise fare and is nonrefundable.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Under Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Peace of Mind policy, guests on individual and group bookings that embark from March 10, 2020, through September 30, 2020, can cancel up to 40 hours prior to their departure date and receive a future cruise credit to be used for any Norwegian sailing embarking on or before December 31, 2022.
Additionally, the cruise line reports that all paid travel advisor commissions are protected and will not be recalled. During this temporary policy change period, commissions that have not yet been paid on voyages through September 30, 2020, will now be paid at time of sailing. Commission on new bookings where the FCC is applied will be paid in full, as per the line’s standard policy.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is on hiatus from now until April 11, 2020 in accordance with federal officials.
Regent has announced several new policies for those affected by the cancellations.
- Impacted guests will receive a 125 percent refund of the fare paid in the form of a Future Cruise Credit, applicable toward any future cruise through December 31, 2022
- Those who opt out of the Future Cruise Credit will receive a 100 percent refund reimbursed to the original form of payment
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises is suspending all voyages scheduled between March 13 and April 11 with plans to recommence on April 12.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line has cancelled all sailings from now until April 8. On April 10, Grand Celebration will resume operations.
Effective on any new bookings made through the end of 2020, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s “Sail with Ease” policy allows customers traveling in less than 30 days to change to a new sailing date at no charge, with price protection and the transfer of any promotional offers or supplements. Cruise passengers traveling in more than a month can cancel with no charge or take the opportunity to transfer to a future sailing, receiving up to a $50 onboard credit.
Cruise & Stay passengers traveling in the next 45 days may change to a new sailing date at no charge or cancel for any reason, receiving a future Cruise & Stay credit. Cancelations with future bookings will be made at the prevailing rate but will include the transfer of any existing promotional offers or supplements. Cruise & Stay passengers traveling in 46 days or more will be given the opportunity to cancel for any reason. Those wishing to rebook on a future date can do so at prevailing rates with a $50 onboard credit.
Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions reports that, if it elects to cancel a voyage, guests will receive a full refund. If a guest cancels a 2020 cruise departing April 1 or later with at least 24 hours’ notice, they will receive a 100 percent fare credit, which they can use on any future sailing in 2020 or 2021. The policy will stay in effect at least through June 30, 2020.
Celestyal Cruises
Celestyal Cruises has issued a new “Peace of Mind” policy that will cover current bookings for travel through June 30. Under the new policy, customers will be able to alter their plans up to seven days prior to the sailing date without incurring cancellation fees. They will receive a 100 percent future cruise credit that can then be applied towards a 2020 or 2021 cruise. This is addition to any new cruise bookings made between now and April 30, 2020 for travel during 2020-2021, which can also be changed up to seven days prior to the sailing date without incurring any penalty or cancellation fees. Guests sailing on the March 14, 2020 seven-night Three Continents Cruise and March 16, 2020 four-night Iconic Aegean sailing may also take advantage of the “Peace of Mind Policy*” despite being within seven days of departure.
Sea Cloud Cruises
Sea Cloud Cruises is offering guests on cruises departing in 2020 booked now until May 31 the ability to cancel free of charge up until one month prior to the departure date.
Riviera River Cruises
Riviera River Cruises is suspending river cruises up to and including April 23. '
Customers affected by this decision are provided the following options:
- Transfer to an alternate river cruise during 2020. Cruisers who choose an equivalent, but more expensive river cruise will have any extra costs waived.
- Transfer to any 2021 river cruise departing up to November 30, 2021. Riviera River Cruises will waive up to $200pp of any extra costs.
Customers can also receive a credit voucher with an extra $200 added on. This can be used toward any river cruise departing up to November 30, 2021.
Avalon Waterway
Avalon Waterways has announced that guests and travel advisors can now reschedule or cancel their river cruise up to three days prior to their scheduled departure date. Previously Avalon, along with its fellow members of the Globus family of brands, had announced a travel policy that allowed for changes up to 30 days prior to departure.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection reports that guests on all 2020 cruises can cancel up to 14 days prior to their cruise and receive a Future Cruise Credit for the penalty amount incurred at the time of cancellation, or they can rebook on any 2020 cruise without penalty. The non-penalized amount will be refunded at the time of cancellation. Guests also have the option to rebook with any Travel Corporation Brand for 2020 or 2021. This new policy will not apply to cruises or tours booked for Obergammerau 2020/2021.
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