22 CRUISE LINES THAT HAVE SUSPENDED CRUISES DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

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By TREVOR KUCHERAN

Major cruise lines around the world are suspending all cruises due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  After two ships have experienced large outbreaks, cruise lines are voluntarily suspending service. 

Live Updated List of Cruise Ships That Have Suspended All Cruises

1. Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises, owned by Carnival Corp., announced it will voluntarily suspend operations for 60 days on Thursday morning.

The decision comes as the cruise line — which operates 18 cruise ships — has become the unfortunate poster child of the coronavirus crisis on the high seas. Two of its ships, the Diamond Princess and the Grand Princess, have bred outbreaks Covid-19, with the former resulting in roughly 700 cases and several deaths, and the latter resulting in a halted journey and evacuation earlier this week, with more than 20 cases.

Princess Cruises President Jan Swartz made an address posted on YouTube, saying never in the company’s history “have we been tested in the ways we’ve been tested in the past 40 days. We have battled this virus on two continents always with the mission of doing the right thing.”

On the question of why this cruise line, in particular, has appeared to be the most affected by the virus, Swartz said, “We don’t really know.” She later pontificated: “Perhaps the diverse mix of people onboard our ships is reflecting what’s going in communities around the world.”

Critics have said otherwise, pointing to Princess Cruises history with infectious outbreaks of norovirus and other pathogens, as well as the industry’s overall regulatory framework which has long been subject to claims of lax health and safety standards.

Carnival Corp. stock halted trading before the announcement and was down 20 percent in pre-market trading on Thursday. Since the beginning of the year, shares have fallen by 57 percent.

The decision will affect cruises departing from today, until May 10. Princess said all cruises in progress which are scheduled to end in the next five days will complete their itinerary. Voyages that extend beyond March 17 will end their journey early. Affected guests will be able to transfer 100 percent of the money spent to a future cruise, but they will not be entitled to no-questions-asked refunds.

“Princess will do everything possible to return each guest home with the greatest amount of care possible,” the statement read. “During this time, our operations and medical teams across the fleet will remain vigilant in their care and service for guests and crew on board.”

The cruise line added that it will honor commissions earned by travel advisors for bookings on canceled cruises that were paid in full “in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line’s business and success.”

The cruise sector met with government officials from the Trump administration on Wednesday. It is expected that the White House will soon approve a proposal of new measures for cruise lines still operating — including a doctor’s note requirement for passengers over 70. There have also been rumors of financial assistance for the beleaguered industry.

Any guests with questions or in need of further information are advised to contact Princess at 1-800-774-6237

2. Viking Cruises

Amidst the tidal wave of travel bans, airline cancellations, port closings, and shutdowns of museums and major attractions imposed to halt the spread of COVID-19, Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen announced it would be temporarily suspending operations of all river and ocean cruises embarking from March 12 to April 30, 2020.

“We believe Viking will be in a better place to provide the experiences our guests expect and deserve,” Hagen wrote in a note posted on the company website on March 11, 2020.”This is a decision we made with a heavy heart, but with present circumstances what they are, we are unable to deliver the high-quality Viking experience for which we are known.”

Guests affected by the suspensions will be offered the choice of a fully transferable voucher for a future cruise valued at 125% of all monies paid to the company, or a refund equal to the amount paid.

The post also noted that a guest on a Viking river cruise in Southeast Asia was exposed to COVID-19 while in transit on an international airline. While not exhibiting symptoms, the guest was placed in quarantine, as well as 28 other guests.

A videotaped version of the Viking announcement is also available online. Any guests with questions or in need of further information are advised to contact Viking Customer Relations at 1-877-523-0579.

3. Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages have postponed the inaugural season of their brand-new ship, Scarlet Lady until July 15th in response to the global health crisis.

In a statement from Sir Richard Branson and CEO Tom McAlpine the team said: “As a brand, Virgin has always championed our customers and, most importantly, listened to them. With those principles in mind and based on your feedback, our team has made the very difficult decision to postpone the Showcase Tour launch and an inaugural sailing season for Scarlet Lady until July 15, 2020, with our Maiden Voyage taking place August 7, 2020.

The business is well supported and our partnership between the Virgin Group and Bain Capital means that Virgin Voyages can remain focused on the health and safety of our Sailors and Crew. We want to make this change as convenient and fair as possible. So we are offering a range of options from a full refund and a voyage credit to extra special bonuses if you book a future sailing. The choice is entirely up to our Sailors, as it should be.”

4. Disney Cruises

Disney Cruise Line has suspended all cruise departures starting from Saturday, March 14th through till the end of March, the company announced in a statement. 

For assistance with your Disney Cruise, please call (800) 951-3532.

5. Norwegian Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that they are suspending all cruises on  from March 13 until April 11, 2020.

6.  Oceania Cruises

Oceania has announced that they are suspending all cruises on  from March 13 until April 11, 2020.

7.  Regent Cruises

Oceania has announced that they are suspending all cruises on from March 13 until April 11, 2020.

8.  Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean Cruises LTD. announced that it is suspending cruising in the United States for 30 days.

9.  Carnival Cruises

Carnival is ceasing cruises for ships based in North America from now until April 9. In a statement, the line said: “While Carnival has not had a diagnosed case linked to our operation we realize this situation is bigger than the cruise industry and we will continue do our part to support public officials to manage and contain this unprecedented public health challenge.” 

10.  Holland America

Holland America Line will dock its 14 ships, operating across seven continents, for 30 days. Cruises departing on Oosterdam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Koningsdam departing this weekend will not go ahead and voyages on other ships will end as follows: Eurodam in San Diego on March 18; Veendam and Zuiderdam in Fort Lauderdale on March 18; Maasdam in Hilo, Hawaii on April 3 (a change to planned disembarkation of San Diego); Zaandam on March 21 in San Antonio, Chile; Volendam on March 22 in Fort Lauderdale; Amsterdam on March 24 in Freemantle, Australia (a change to planned disembarkation in Fort Lauderdale); and Rotterdam on March 27 in Fort Lauderdale. Ships not currently in service due to previous cancellations are Nieuw Statendam, Noordam and Westerdam. Guests on canceled cruises this weekend will receive a 100 percent refund and 100 percent future cruise credit. Compensation for other canceled voyages is to be confirmed. 

11.  MSC

MSC Cruises is stopping all US-based embarkations until April 30, in addition to operations in the Mediterranean, the Gulf and Asia. Ships in South America and South Africa will also cease operations at their end of their current itineraries. Guests are being offered a future cruise credit for 100 percent of the original fare paid, plus additional onboard credit. The credit can be used on any sailing departing on or before December 31, 2021. Guests who are unable to reschedule will receive a full refund. 

12.  Windstar

Windstar’s six small yachts carrying 148-342 passengers will suspend operations through to April 30. Guests on canceled cruises will receive the choice of a future cruise credit valued at 125% of all monies paid to Windstar Cruises or a refund equal to the amount paid on the Windstar booking. Guests will have 24 months to book and embark on any available Windstar cruise using their credit. 

13.  Uniworld

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has suspended all European itineraries until April 23, offering guests the opportunity to rebook travel dates to any 2020 or 2021 cruise or receive a future cruise credit eligible to be used during the next 24 months.  For bookings after April 23, guests can now cancel up to 14 days prior to their cruise and rebook on any 2020 or 2021 cruise without penalty or have the option to rebook with The Travel Corporation sister brands – from Trafalgar to Insight Vacations – for 2020 to 2021.  

14.  Seabourn

Seabourn is pausing global operations for its five ships for 30 days. Current voyages that are underway will end by March 22. Guests on impacted voyages will receive a 125 percent future cruise credit, which can be applied to any cruise through December 31, 2021, or a refund of 100 percent of the original fare. “In this unprecedented situation, we feel a pause is necessary,” said Rick Meadows, president of Seabourn. “Our pause should also reassure the hundreds of destinations we visit each year that we want to be responsible in our operations as we bring travelers into their communities each time we visit.”

15.  Saga Cruises

The over-50s specialist will be hit especially hard by the updated travel advice from the government, which advises people aged 70 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions against cruise ship travel at this time. Cruise customers who were due to travel in the next six weeks will be offered either a full refund or a credit for a future departure.

16.  Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred has paused its ocean cruise operations until May 23. The line says its priority now is to get all existing guests and crew home as safely and comfortably as possible. Any subsequent itineraries will not go ahead once the current cruises have come to an end. For the time being river ship, Brabant is not affected by the pause in operations and the season will commence as planned on April 6.

17.  Crystal Cruise Lines

Crystal has canceled river cruises scheduled to depart from March 26 to April 11, along with a Crystal Esprit yacht cruise due to depart on April 10. The line had earlier made the decision to cancel a series of Asia cruises for Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity including a cruise from Mumbai to Rome departing on April 3. Crystal Serenity is due back in service on April 21 and Crystal Symphony on May 8. Affected guests will be offered a full refund or future cruise credit, details of which will be communicated by the line. 

18.  Celestyal

The Greek and Med specialist plan to recommence sailings from May 1 with its three-night Iconic Aegean on Celestyal Olympia and May 2 with the seven-night Eclectic Aegean on Celestyal Crystal as scheduled. Affected sailings are seven-night Three Continents departing March 4, 21 and 28; seven-night Eclectic Aegean departing April 4, 11, 18 and 25; and three- and four-night Iconic Aegean departing from March 16 through to April 30.  Guests booked on affected cruises will be offered the choice of either a future cruise credit valued at 120 percent of the original booking value or a refund of the original amount paid.  Guests will have until the end of December 2021 to use their Future Cruise Credit against any of Celestyal’s itineraries. If they did not use their credit within the specified period, they will automatically receive a refund equal to the original amount paid to Celestyal. 

19.  Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways, along with sister companies Globus and Cosmos, has suspended travel, across all destinations, through to April 30, 2020. Travelers affected by the suspension have the freedom to reschedule their holiday in 2020, 2021 or 2022, to any destination, on any brand, without incurring cancellation fees. Travelers will also be offered a credit of up to £150pp when they reschedule their plans.

20.  Ama Waterways

The start of the European river cruise season has been delayed until April 26 and Mekong river cruises suspended until March 23. Guests who were booked on a cruise that are being canceled have the option of receiving a future cruise credit equal to 115% of the value of all services purchased through AmaWaterways or receiving a full monetary refund. The future cruise credit is applicable on all European or Mekong River cruise sailings any time before December 31, 2022.

21.  Cruise and Maritime Voyages

The start of the European river cruise season has been delayed until April 26 and Mekong river cruises suspended until March 23. Guests who were booked on a cruise that are being canceled have the option of receiving a future cruise credit equal to 115% of the value of all services purchased through AmaWaterways or receiving a full monetary refund. The future cruise credit is applicable on all European or Mekong River cruise sailings any time before December 31, 2022.

22.  Scenic Group River Cruises

The Scenic Group (Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises) has suspended all river cruise operations until April 30. Guests whose river cruise departures are within this period of suspended operations are being offered the choice of either a future travel credit valued at 125% of the booking or the option of a refund to the value of the amount paid. Guests choosing a future travel credit will have up to 24 months to travel on a Scenic Group river cruise.

Cruise Lines That Have Suspended ALL Cruises

  1. Princess Cruises
  2. Viking Cruises 
  3. Virgin Voyages
  4. Disney Cruises
  5. Norwegian Cruises
  6. Oceania Cruises
  7. Regent Seven Seas
  8. Royal Caribbean
  9. Carnival Cruises
  10. Holand America
  11. MSC Cruises
  12. Windstar Cruises
  13. Uniworld 
  14. Seabourn
  15. Saga Cruises
  16. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
  17. Crystal Cruises
  18. Celestyal
  19. Avalon Waterways
  20. Ama Waterways
  21. Cruise and Maritime Voyages
  22. Scenic Group River Cruises

Source: traveloffpath.com

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