Last Updated
For the cruise industry and the many ports and towns that rely on cruises to make it through the year, the pandemic has been especially tough, with constant restrictions and cancellations seeing season after season with barely any cruise ships on the water.
Unfortunately, an extension of restrictions in Canada and the general Covid-19 situation failing to significantly improve has brought about yet more cancellations and delays to the ailing industry, with would-be passengers forced to stay on terra firma for a while longer. Here’s a look at the latest delays and cancellations from Carnival and other major cruise lines.
Carnival Delays Cruises – Information For Travelers
This week saw a raft of updates with regards to the operations of several major cruise lines, signaling further bad news to an industry that has had more than its fair share already in the past 12 months. Carnival Cruise Line, responsible for more than 37,000 employees in a regular year, has announced that it is to suspend its US-based operations until May 31st at the earliest, meaning that it could be as long as June until Carnival cruise ships take to the seas with passengers once more.
The news came to light on Tuesday evening, when prospective customers realized that they were unable to book cruises for May after they were removed from the company’s website. Cruises departing in June were available to be selected. Carnival’s President, Christine Duffy, said “We continue to work on plans to resume operations and are encouraged by the focus to expedite vaccine production and distribution which are having a demonstrated impact on improving public health.”
The company has announced a series of refund options for both longer and shorter length cruises Options include full refunds or future cruise credits for cruises that are cancelled, whilst those that aren’t cancelled and still go ahead will see passengers receive $100 of onboard credit.
Princess Cruises’ Cancellations – Which Trips Are Affected?
Princess Cruises also announced cancellations this week, cancelling several Alaska trips following the Canadian government’s restrictions on passenger cruises entering their waters. The cruises that have been affected are:
- Alaska seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruises, sailing between Vancouver, B.C. and Anchorage (Whittier)
- Pacific Coastals that start or end in Vancouver, B.C.
- Canadian Adventure sailing roundtrip from Southampton, UK
Those who have booked on to a cancelled cruise will see their cruise automatically rebooked on the same tour in 2020. Those who wish to receive cruise credit can receive their fare back plus a 10% in the form of Future Cruise Credit, or they can receive a full refund. Princess has also been working on land-based vacation packages at its lodges around the country.
Azamara Announces Suspensions
Azamara, the boutique cruise line formerly of cruise line giants Royal Caribbean, has announced that it is to extend the suspension of its cruises until June 30th, 2021. In a statement, the company has announced that its primary goal was a “healthy return to service for our guests, crew and the communities we visit.”
Customer who are affected by the suspensions have three options for redress:
- Option 1: accept a 125% future cruise credit to book a cruise by April 30, 2022 for departure before September 30, 2022
- Option 2: “lift and shift” the booking to a 2022 equivalent within four weeks of the original sailing date
- Option 3: A full refund
Read More:
American Airlines And JetBlue Partnership Adds 33 New Flight Routes
Why Americans Are Still Flocking To Mexico For Vacation
Airline Industry Travel Pass Is Expected To Be Ready In Next Few Weeks
Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path's latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.