SANTA CLARITA AND SEATTLE — Three of Carnival Corp.’s cruise lines – Princess, Seabourn and Holland America – have announced extensions to their suspensions of operations.

PRINCESS CRUISES

Princess Cruises has announced it is extending its temporary suspension of global ship operations,  cancelling select cruises through the end of the 2020 summer season.

The cruise line says the decision to cancel was “extremely difficult”. The U.S. has made steps to start reopening its economy and the travel industry, however air travel is still a fraction of what it was pre-COVID-19 and travel restrictions are still in place in most countries around the world. Plus, a few weeks ago the CDC extended its no-sail order for U.S.-based cruise lines, and that extension could see the no-sail order still in place into July.

The new wave of cancellations for Princess including the following cruises and cruisetours:

• All remaining Alaska cruises on Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess
• All remaining Europe and Transatlantic cruises on Enchanted Princess, Regal Princess, Sky Princess, Crown Princess and Island Princess
• Summer Caribbean cruises and all Canada & New England cruises on Caribbean Princess and Sky Princess
• Summer to Fall cruises departing from Japan on Diamond Princess
• Australia-based cruises on Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess through August
• July cruises sailing from Taiwan on Majestic Princess
• Fall cruises sailing to Hawaii and French Polynesia on Pacific Princess through November

“As the world is still preparing to resume travel, it is with much disappointment that we announce an extension of our pause of global ship operations and the cancellation of cruise vacations for our loyal guests,” said Jan Swartz, President of Princess Cruises. “Among other disruptions, airlines have limited their flight availability and many popular cruise ports are closed. It saddens us to think about the impact on the livelihood of our teammates, business partners and the communities we visit.”

Princess passengers currently booked on these cancelled voyages, who have paid Princess in full, will have the option to receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional bonus FCC equal to 25% of the cruise fare.

For passengers who have not paid in full, Princess will Double the Deposit, providing a refundable FCC for the money currently on deposit plus a matching bonus FCC that can be used on any voyage through May 1, 2022. The matching bonus FCC will not exceed the base cruise fare amount of the currently booked cruise and will have a minimum value of $100 per person.

Alternatively, guests can request a full refund for all monies paid on their booking through Princess Cruises’ online form. Requests must be received by June 15, 2020, or they will receive the refundable FCC option.

Princess says it will continue to protect travel advisor 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 most current information and instructions for booked guests affected by these cancellations, and more information on FCCs and refunds, can be found online at Information on Impacted & Cancelled Cruises.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

Meanwhile Holland America Line has cancelled all Alaska, Europe and Canada/New England cruises for 2020.

In addition, Amsterdam will not operate the 79-day Grand Africa Voyage from Boston, Massachusetts, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that was scheduled to depart on Oct. 3, 2020.

Holland America Line had previously cancelled all 2020 Land+Sea Journeys, which combine an Alaska cruise with an overland tour to Denali and the Yukon.

“As we continue to navigate through these unprecedented and challenging times, the best decision right now is to extend our pause in cruise operations into the fall,” said Orlando Ashford, President of Holland America Line.

“While this is very disappointing and we never want to let our guests down, as soon as it makes sense we will be back cruising again, giving our guests the memorable travel experiences they continue to dream about.”

Holland America passengers with impacted cruises will automatically be cancelled, and all guests will receive a FCC per person as follows:

Paid in Full: Those who had paid in full will receive 125% FCC of the base cruise fare paid to Holland America Line.

Not Paid in Full: Those with bookings not paid in full will receive a FCC of double the amount of the deposit paid for the cruise. The minimum FCC is $100 and the maximum will be an amount up to the base cruise fare paid.

The FCC is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be used to book sailings departing through Dec. 31, 2022. All other funds paid to Holland America Line may be transferred to a new booking or will automatically be refunded via the method of payment used to purchase the services.

Passengers who opt for a 100% refund of monies paid to Holland America Line can visit the Cancellation Preferences form to indicate this preference no later than June 15, 2020. This includes Holland America Line’s Flight Ease air, Cancellation Protection Plan, Holland America Line pre- or post-cruise hotel packages or transfers, prepaid shore excursions and amenities purchased through Holland America Line, and taxes, fees and port expenses.

The above options are not applicable to passengers booked on a charter sailing. Other booking and cancellation conditions and policies may apply if the cruise was not booked through Holland America Line. See the terms and conditions at Holland America’s Cancellation Preferences form for all details.

Like sister line Princess Cruises, Holland America is also continuing to protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full and for the total amount of the Future Cruise Credits when their clients rebook, “recognizing the vital role travel advisors play in the success of the cruise industry.”

SEABOURN

Seabourn’s suspension of operations will apply to each of Seabourn’s five ships differently with each having a different “effective through” date in either October or November, says the line. 

Seabourn Odyssey: Halted through the Europe season, with its operations pause effective through Nov. 20.

Seabourn Sojourn: Halted through Alaska/B.C. season, with its operations pause effective through Oct.13.

Seabourn Quest: Halted through the Canada/New England season, with its operations pause effective through Nov. 6.

Seabourn Encore: Halted through the Europe season, with its operations pause effective through Oct.19.

Seabourn Ovation: Halted through Europe season, with its operations pause effective through Nov. 6.

Seabourn had previously announced a pause in its global ship operations from March 14 – June 30, 2020, effectively cancelling all voyages scheduled to operate during that timeframe. 

The cruise line says the decision to cancel additional voyages is a proactive response to the unpredictable circumstances continuing to evolve from the global response to the COVID-19 situation.

“We know travellers, as well as our past guests, are thinking about and looking forward to traveling based on a lot of information we are seeing lately. With many cruise ports still closed, destinations opening in phases, and airline capacity limited, a continuation of our pause gives us additional time to prepare for our eventual return to service,” said Rick Meadows, President of Seabourn. 

“When we resume and social gathering is acceptable once again, we will do so with the health and safety of our guests, crew and the people in each of the destinations we visit as a priority, just as it has been throughout our history.”

Seabourn says it will be communicating changes for voyages scheduled to depart in the extension window with all booked guests and their travel advisors.

Passengers with impacted cruises will automatically be cancelled, and all guests will receive an FCC as follows:

Paid in Full: Passengers paid in full will receive 125% FCC of the base cruise fare paid to Seabourn.

Under Deposit: Passengers with bookings under deposit will receive a FCC valued at 125% of the deposit amount paid, plus an onboard credit of $300 per suite.

The FCC is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be used to book sailings departing through Dec. 31, 2022. The amount of non-cruise fare purchases may be transferred to a new booking to be used in any manner selected by the passenger. Alternatively, passengers may request a refund of the monies paid to Seabourn, which will be reimbursed to the original form of payment.

Passengers and their agents will be sent specific details applicable to their booking. For more details click here.