Wednesday night we reported that Viking Cruises temporarily suspended operations due to coronavirus. The next morning, another cruise line followed suit, and then another.
Princess Cruises Suspending Operations
Princess Cruises announced that they'll be suspending global operations for 60 days. Guests booked on impacted sailings will be receiving a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) as well as, "an additional generous future cruise credit benefit which can be applied to the cruise fare." Guests wishing to get a cash refund instead can follow the instructions here. It's not surprising, not only given the world concerns and circumstances, but especially since Princess got the most attention in all of the coronavirus stories because of the initial quarantine of Diamond Princess, and the handling of that operation that the Japanese government now says should have happened differently.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Suspends ALl Three Cruise Brands' Operations
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, parent to NCL, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises has suspended sailings through April 11, 2020. You can find more information about NCLH's announcement here.
Virgin Voyages Proactively Postpones Launch
Virgin Voyages is delaying their inaugural season, canceling sailings until July 15th. They've also postpones multiple media and industry events this and next week.
From Virgin Voyages:
"...we made the proactive decision to postpone the Showcase Tour inaugural season of Scarlet Lady until July 15, 2020, with our Maiden Voyage taking place on August 7, 2020."
Additional information below:
- 200% in Future Voyage Credit which can be applied to another sailing, rather than a refund. This is double the value of a Sailor’s existing booking.
- Sailors can also receive up to $500 in onboard credit,* if you re-book before June 30, 2020.
- If a Sailor prefers to get a 100% refund** on a voyage fare for an impacted sailing, Virgin Voyages will issue one plus offer a 25% Future Voyage Credit on the value paid to use for a future booking.
You can find the full letter from Tom McAlpin and founder Richard Branson below the "Billy's Take" section of this article.
Disney Cruise Lines (and Disney Parks & Resorts) Suspend Operation Until the End of the Month
Starting March 14th Disney Cruise Lines will supsend operation until the end of the month. Disney Parks & Resorts are also closing down. During this time Disney Cast Members will be paid. More information below.
**In the event that more lines suspect some or all operations due to the pandemic, we'll update this article.**
Call Centers Jammed
As many lines have seen their call centers overwhelmed with questions, cancellations, etc, Princess asks guests not to call the Reservation Call Center, noting that guests and their travel advisors will be send communications on how to manage cancellations and desired compensation.
This is good advice for people booked on ANY cruise right now. Unless you have a question that has not already been addressed on the company's website, in a press release, or in an email from the cruise line or your travel agent, please do not call. Cruise lines can't give you advice or predict the future, and we're sure they're working very hard in this difficult time.
Billy's Take
This is unprecedented, and as we've said in the past couple of posts, there is no way to tell the future. Any suspensions of operation could be extended...or ended early, we just don't know. Cruise lines will of course be pushing harder than ever to make sure their books are as full as possible for later in the year and all itineraries to come.
What we shouldn't forget is the impact that these moves have on hard-working people not only directly in the cruise industry, but those who live in cruise-dependent economies, both in the US (South Florida, for example), and elsewhere. Dock workers, mechanics, shop owners, restaurateurs, tour operators - this impacts many people much more than those who, like me, we're hoping to take a cruise in the coming weeks.
The release from Princess can be seen below:
Princess Cruises Announces a Voluntary and Temporary Pause of its Global Ship Operations for 60 Days
Cruise Line Remains Committed to the Health, Safety and Well-Being of Guests, Team Members and Communities Visited Globally
SANTA CLARITA, Calif (March 12, 2020) In proactive response to the unpredictable circumstances evolving from the global spread of COVID-19 and in an abundance of caution, Princess Cruises announced that it will voluntarily pause global operations of its 18 cruise ships for two months (60 days), impacting voyages departing March 12 to May 10.
“Princess Cruises is a global vacation company that serves more than 50,000 guests daily from 70 countries as part of our diverse business, and it is widely known that we have been managing the implications of COVID-19 on two continents,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. “By taking this bold action of voluntarily pausing the operations of our ships, it is our intention to reassure our loyal guests, team members and global stakeholders of our commitment to the health, safety and well-being of all who sail with us, as well as those who do business with us, and the countries and communities we visit around the world,” added Swartz.
While this is a difficult business decision, we firmly believe it is the right one and is in alignment with our company’s core values. Rest assured the long-serving and dedicated professionals at our company will make best use of this time to prepare Princess Cruises’ fleet of cruise ships for a successful return to operation to serve our guests by delivering an exceptional vacation experience.
Those currently onboard a cruise that will end in the next five days will continue to sail as expected through the end of the itinerary so that onward travel arrangements are not disrupted. Current voyages that are underway and extend beyond March 17 will be ended at the most convenient location for guests, factoring in operational requirements. Princess will do everything possible to return each guest home with the greatest amount of care possible. During this time, our operations and medical teams across the fleet will remain vigilant in their care and service for guests and crew onboard.
For those who are impacted by this business decision, Princess is offering guests the opportunity to transfer 100% of the money paid for their cancelled cruise to a future cruise of their choice. To add a bonus incentive for guests to accept this offer, the company will add an additional generous future cruise credit benefit which can be applied to the cruise fare. In addition, Princess will honor this offer for those guests who had made final payment and cancelled their booking on or after February 4, 2020. The future cruise credit can be used on any voyage departing through May 1, 2022.
Princess will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full and for the total amount of the future cruise credits, in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line’s business and success.
If the future cruise credit option does not work for some guests, they will be able to complete an electronic form on Princess.com to request a cash refund. Princess asks guests not to call the Reservation Call Center due to the possibility of high call volumes and the potential of long on-hold wait times due to this unprecedented action. Guests and their travel advisors will be sent communications on how to manage cancellations and desired compensation. Information and instructions for requesting a refund are available online.
In a video posted on YouTube, Jan Swartz shares that “while this is a difficult business decision, we firmly believe it is the right one and is in alignment with our company’s core values. Rest assured the long-serving and dedicated professionals at our company will make best use of this time to prepare Princess Cruises’ fleet of cruise ships for a successful return to operation to serve our guests by delivering an exceptional vacation experience.”
Loyal guests, employees, travel advisor partners and business partners around the world have asked what they can do support Princess Cruises and its more than 35,000 team members in these challenging times. The answer is simple – book a cruise with Princess and bring your family and friends along. The company offers over 180 itineraries to popular and exotic destinations around the globe.
Princess Cruises plans to be back in operation beginning with cruises departing May 11, 2020.
Important Message from Virgin Voyages' Richard Branson and Tom McAlpin on Postponing Scarlet Lady Inaugural Sailing Season
When we dreamed up Virgin Voyages, we did so with an ambition to create an entirely new way to sail the seven seas. Over the past seven years, our wonderful crew have worked passionately to create a ship and sailor experience for you that is truly spectacular. We know many of you are very excited to sail on Scarlet Lady, and we can tell you after spending time on board, she has captured all of our hearts.
But at this time, much of our attention is focused, rightly, on the current global health crisis. We understand that this is affecting us all in different ways and making many people rethink upcoming cruise plans. We have spent time talking to our team, future Sailors and travel partners as we navigate this challenging moment.
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 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.
For those who would have sailed regardless of the global headlines, we appreciate this will be disappointing news. We are so grateful for your belief in us, and we hope you will join us when the time is right.
We are so excited for the future of Virgin Voyages as an experience for our Sailors and as a business. Scarlet Lady has three sister ships coming and our fleet will be bold and bright with a focused approach to addressing climate change through our commitment to a net zero carbon future.
We want to assure you that we have absolutely no health issues aboard our ship and have elevated protocols in place as we continue to put your well-being first. This is a once in a lifetime launch and a once in a lifetime customer experience, and we will do it together when we can all feel free to enjoy ourselves. To expand on our commitment to fostering the best environment for our Sailors, Virgin Voyages is working with relevant parties to research new technologies that will help to expedite health screenings and make people feel safe. Developments are ongoing and the hope is to identify this opportunity over the course of the next month.
Finally, despite what we are facing, travel will always be a way for us to connect with one another and open ourselves up to new ideas and ways of thinking. So while this isn’t the time for us to meet on the spectacular Scarlet Lady, it will be soon. We can’t wait to see you on board.
Best,
Richard and Tom