Editor's Note: Since publishing, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, MSC Cruises and Sea Cloud Cruises have shared updates on their sailings.
Given the ongoing geopolitical turmoil in Russia and the Ukraine, a few major cruise lines are now beginning to cancel port calls or itineraries that “touch” either country. That said, the Baltic cruise season typically starts in May, so cruise lines have some time before making changes there. So, some say they're still evaluating the situation.
All lines contacted by Travel Agent emphasized that the safety and security of guests and crew were paramount. Here’s what we’ve learned.
Viking Cancels Kiev Itinerary
“Given recent events and the developing conflict in Ukraine, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all 2022 departures of our "Kiev, Black Sea & Bucharest" itinerary, said Viking in a statement.
“Guests and their travel advisors on impacted departures have been notified directly by Viking Customer Relations.”
In addition, Viking said it’s actively monitoring the situation and is in close contact with its field offices in the region.
“We are currently evaluating itineraries that call in Russia in 2022, which will require modifications,” the line said, noting that when those necessary changes are made, Viking Customer Relations will notify all impacted guests and their travel advisors.
Carnival Corporation Tweets "Change" Coming
In a social media post on February 26, the world’s largest cruise company said the following:
“In light of the recent attacks by Russia in Ukraine, Carnival Corporation brands will be modifying our itineraries in the coming week once alternative ports can be confirmed. We stand for peace.”
Carnival is the parent company of Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn, among others. A separate statement below is from Costa Cruises.
Costa Cruises Statement
Costa said it’s “following with great concern what is happening in the heart of Europe, and we hope that the pressure of the international community will soon restore peace.”
The line said that it’s taken actions to reassure and assist Ukrainian crew members and guests who are aboard. It continues to monitor the situation and “will amend itineraries as necessary following guidance from authorities.”
Most notably, “at this time, we are not able to establish with certainty whether the planned calls (first with Costa Favolosa on May 20, 2022) can be confirmed. We are following the situation attentively to establish the feasibility of our planned operations, in complete safety and security.”
Norwegian Axes St. Petersburg Calls
“Due to the escalated situation between Russia and Ukraine we have made the decision to alter itineraries and remove calls to St. Petersburg, Russia from our 2022 sailings,” a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line said late Friday.
“We are currently working to confirm replacement ports and will advise all impacted guests and travel advisors as soon as possible.”
Celebrity Has Alternative Port Plans
Celebrity Cruises said in a statement that it’s continually monitoring world events including the current situation in Ukraine.
“We are not currently sailing in this region and we will evaluate whether or not we will visit St. Petersburg, Russia, as scheduled for sailings starting in May,” the statement continued.
“We have plans for alternative ports as needed and will communicate any updates to our guests.” The line said guests have the option to reschedule their sailing without penalty through the line’s Cruise with Confidence program.
Silversea Ready to Redeploy
“We are monitoring the evolving geopolitical situation very closely and we are ready to redeploy our ships should the situation warrant it,” a company spokesperson said.
Regent Removes Russia Calls
In a statement provided to Travel Agent, a spokesperson for Regent Seven Seas Cruises said, "Due to the escalated situation between Russia and Ukraine we have made the decision to remove Arkhangelsk, Russia; Murmansk, Russia; St Petersburg, Russia; the Solovetsky Islands, Russia; and Odessa, Ukraine from our 2022 sailings. We are currently working to confirm replacement ports and will advise all impacted guests and travel advisors as soon as possible."
MSC Suspends Calls to St. Petersburg
MSC Cruises also announced that it has suspended its ships’ calls to St. Petersburg, Russia due to recent developments in the region and related security concerns. The company said the health and safety of its passengers and crew was its top priority and that from the end of May until October its four ships with Baltic Sea sailings that had included St. Petersburg in any of their summer 2022 itineraries—MSC Preziosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Poesia and MSC Virtuosa—will all suspend their calls to the Russian city.
Since the onset of the current events the line has been in touch with alternative ports—such as Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn—to confirm calls for the four vessels and it will communicate the exact details for each individual sailing as soon as possible to travel agents and any guests affected by the new arrangements.
MSC Cruises will also update its website to reflect the confirmed details of the new itineraries to provide maximum clarity for existing guests as well as for anyone looking to book future vacations in the Baltic Sea.
Sea Cloud Cruises Cancels St. Petersburg Calls
Sea Cloud Cruises on Tuesday canceled this year's St. Petersburg calls of its new sailing vessel, Sea Cloud Spirit. "The Hamburg-based shipping company has made this decision based on the current developments in the Ukraine," the line said in a statement. "The former tsar's city had originally been on the itinerary four times for the Baltic Sea premiere of the three-master full-rigged ship. Sea Cloud Cruises will now develop a new itinerary for the voyages in June and July this year. The guests who were booked on these itineraries have already been informed of the decision."
Travel Agent will post more updates as we receive them.
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