MIAMI — Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) has extended its suspension of global operations to include all voyages embarking between Oct. 1-31, 2020.

The latest extension applies to all three of NCLH’s brands – Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

In an effort to provide additional transparency during this uncertain time in cruising, beginning in August NCLH will provide an update at the end of each month regarding the status of voyage suspensions, including any potential extensions.

In an email correspondence sent to travel agents, Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed that all guests with current and active bookings affected by this suspension will automatically receive an enhanced value future cruise credit (FCC) of 125% of the fare paid. The FCCs for these voyages will be issued no later than July 30, 2020 and can be applied anytime within one year of issue date and toward any Norwegian Cruise Line voyage through Dec. 31, 2022.

Guests who do not wish to take advantage of the FCC can instead receive a monetary refund in the amount of the cruise fare paid, reimbursed to the original form of payment 60 days after completing the web request form. All refund requests for this current suspension period must be received via the web form at www.ncl.com/case-submission/peace-of-mind, which will be made available starting at 9:00 a.m. EST on Aug. 3, up until 5:00 p.m. EST on Aug. 14, 2020.

To further put customers at ease, Norwegian Cruise Line is extending its Peace of Mind cancellation policy into 2021 as well as a protracted final payment schedule.

Guests sailing on cruises booked by Aug. 31, 202 with embarkation dates from Jan. 1, 2021 to Oct. 31, 2021 now have the flexibility to cancel their cruise 15 days prior to departure. Those who take advantage of the Peace of Mind policy will receive a full refund in the form of a future cruise credit, which may be applied to any sailing through Dec. 31, 2022. The Peace of Mind policy, which also allows guests to cancel up to 48 hours prior to embarkation for 2020 sailings was initially launched in March 2020.

For more information about the Peace of Mind policy click here.

In addition, a new final payment schedule for all 2020 voyages has been announced for NCL, which requires payment 60 days prior to embarkation versus the standard 120 days.

Said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line: “Our ‘Guests First’ philosophy compels us to put guests at the heart of every decision, which is exactly what we are doing by enabling them to cancel very close-in to their anticipated embarkation date and by delaying final payment to just 60 days prior to departure. We recognize the uncertainty we are all feeling right now so it is important guests know that we have their best interests in mind.”

Despite pushing back its suspension of operations, NCL is “optimistic about the future,” added Sommer. The cruise line recently unveiled a year’s worth of aspirational voyages with itineraries sailing to all seven continents through April 2021, including more than 20 new ports of call. NCLH also recently announced a new partnership with Royal Caribbean Group to create a ‘Healthy Sail Panel’ that’s been tasked to develop enhanced health and safety cruise standards.