Carnival Corporation companies; Seabourn - the ultra-luxury cruise line, Princess Cruises - world's leading international premium cruise line and tour company, and Holland America Line - leader in premium cruising announced extension of their cruise operations through June 30, 2021.
Seabourn
The brand is cancelling a series of select 2021 Europe departures.
The cancellation announcement applies differently by ship. Voyages affected include:
- Seabourn Sojourn, with its next scheduled departure now set for July 3, 2021.
- Seabourn Encore, with its next scheduled departure now set for July 3, 2021.
- Seabourn Ovation, with its next scheduled departure now set for July 3, 2021.
- Seabourn Quest, with its next scheduled departure now set for November 7, 2021.
Guests with bookings affected by this announcement are being given as much notice as possible to provide them with greater clarity around their travel plans.
"Our highest priorities are compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the people in destinations we visit," said Josh Leibowitz, president of Seabourn.
"We understand guests are eager to travel and, even though we have extended our pause in operations a bit further, we continue to prepare to welcome them back once again."
Guests with impacted cruise bookings have until April 15, 2021 to request to be re-booked to a comparable 2022 voyage at their 2021 rate paid plus current amenities. Guests who prefer an alternative choice can also request a bonus future cruise credit offer or a full refund of monies paid to Seabourn to the original form of payment.
Guests and their travel advisors will be sent specific details applicable to their booking. Seabourn asks guests and travel advisors to use the online resources available on its website first rather than calling the Reservation Call Center for information about the cancellations due to the possibility of high call volumes and the potential of long on-hold wait times.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is extending its pause of cruise vacations sailing the Caribbean, California Coast, Mexico, and the Mediterranean.
The pause in operation affects the following voyages:
- Caribbean Princess: Seven-day Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises
- Enchanted Princess: Seven-day Mediterranean & Adriatic, seven-day Western Mediterranean, and 14-day Western Mediterranean & Adriatic Medley
- Ruby Princess: Seven-day Classic California Coast, seven-day Mexican Riviera, and five-day Cabo San Lucas Getaway sailings
For guests booked on a cancelled voyage, Princess will offer to move guests to the equivalent cruise in 2022. The rebooking process will have the added benefit of protecting the guests’ 2021 fare on their 2022 voyage. Alternatively, guests can choose a future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 10% of the cruise fare paid (minimum $25 USD) or a full refund to the original form of payment.
For guests currently booked on a cancelled voyage where there is no matched cruise available in 2022, guests will automatically receive a refundable future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 10% of the cruise fare paid (minimum $25). Alternatively, guests can request a full refund to the original form of payment.
Requests must be received through an online form by April 15, 2021, or guests will automatically receive the FCC option. FCCs can be used on any cruises booked by and sailing by December 31, 2022.
Princess will transfer the commission earned by travel agents from the cancelled 2021 cruise to the new booking in 2022 for bookings that were paid in full. This convenience is in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line’s business and success.
Holland America Line
The pause will impact cruises departing in May and June on Nieuw Statendam, Volendam and Westerdam, along with the Collectors' Voyages associated with those canceled cruises. Collectors' Voyages combine nonrepeating itineraries for an extended, back-to-back cruise experience.
Cruises affected by this pause in operation are:
- Nieuw Statendam: Eight departures from May 2 through June 27, 2021, that include seven- and 14-day Norway and Baltic itineraries, as well as the 14- and 21-day Collectors' Voyages of those cruises.
- Volendam: June 19, 2021, 14-day Adriatic Dream cruise and the 24-day Adriatic Dream and Greek Odyssey Collectors' Voyage departing the same date.
- Westerdam: June 19, 2021, 12-day Greece and Adriatic Antiquities cruise and the 24-day Adriatic Antiquities and Mediterranean Romance Collectors' Voyage departing the same date.
Holland America Line is notifying all guests and their travel advisors of their options. Guests currently booked on the canceled Europe departures will be able to rebook on an equivalent cruise in 2022 at the 2021 fare – with all cash and Future Cruise Credit funds moved to the new booking. Guests will be offered a comparable cruise in 2022 to replace the canceled voyage and instructions on how to confirm this selection online.
If guests decide not to accept a cruise booking in 2022 by April 15, 2021, they automatically default to receive a Future Cruise Credit of 110% of any cash paid on the booking. The minimum FCC is $25 and the maximum will be an amount up to the base cruise fare paid. Guests will retain any other FCC used for the canceled 2021 booking with all FCC amounts moved to their loyalty account for use on a future cruise booking. For all bookings in 2022, standard cancellation policies apply.
Tags: Extend Pause, Cruise Companies
