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Anchored: Cruise Operations In Australia Paused Until November 2020

Princess, Carnival and P&O Cruises have all announced a further pause of its cruise ship operations in Australia until the end of October 2020 due to the continued progression of COVID-19.

Princess, Carnival and P&O Cruises have all announced a further pause of its cruise ship operations in Australia until the end of October 2020 due to the continued progression of COVID-19.

Due to the continuous progression of COVID-19 and related decisions of various government, health authorities, and airlines regarding travel restrictions, cruise lines are announcing further pauses to operations.

It can be hard to keep up with the cruise industry and sailing date restrictions, so we’re here to let you know the latest details and, with a bit of luck, make life a little easier for you.

Don’t forget to stay in the loop with our Cruising Rolling Update too.

Do you have any cruise info or news to add? Please email us at editor@karryon.com.au

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P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises is extending its rolling pause in operations across Australia and New Zealand to October 29, 2020.

P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said while everyone hoped sailings would resume soon, it had become increasingly clear that more time was needed for society to reinstate many modes of travel and community gatherings.

“This is by far the most challenging time the travel sector has ever experienced.  However, like so many of our loyal guests and partners, we look forward to better times ahead when we can cruise again. We thank everyone for their unswerving loyalty, patience and goodwill.”

Sture Myrmell

The latest changes in operations are:

Australia

In Australia, P&O Cruises will extend its pause in operations to October 29, 2020 (inclusive) – an extra 42 days to what had previously been announced. 

It will affect the following cruises:
Pacific Explorer: X040, X041, X042, X043, X044N, X045N, X045P and X046
Pacific Dawn: W047, W048, W049, W050, W051, W052 and W053
Pacific Aria: A048, A049, A050, and A051

New Zealand

In New Zealand, P&O Cruises will return for its next season of sailings departing from Auckland in 2021. Additional cruises affected by this new pause are:
Pacific Aria: A042, A043, A044, A045, A046, and A047

Other cruises

As a result of the extended pause in operations and international travel restrictions, P&O will cancel Pacific Adventure’s inaugural 18-night cruise (V059) from Singapore to Sydney.

Compensation for cancelled cruises from July 23, 2020

All guests are entitled to a full refund or bonus onboard credit if they choose a future cruise credit.  P&O will pay refunds back to travel agents for guests who booked through that channel.

P&O will protect travel agent commissions on all bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full and for the total amount of the future cruise credits.

Guests with bookings affected by the pause in operations, can track the progress of their future cruise credit or refund request via a new tracking tool found on P&O’s website.

Princess Cruises

Sapphire Princess 4 CvD RGB scaled e1583283720985

Princess Cruises is extending its pause in cruise operations impacting the following voyages:

  • All cruises sailing in and out of Australia on Majestic Princess, Regal Princess, Sapphire Princess, Sea Princess, and Sun Princess through October 31, 2020
  • All sailings in Asia, Caribbean, California Coast, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, South America & Antarctica, Japan, and Tahiti/South Pacific through December 15, 2020

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

For guests 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 is non-refundable, will not exceed the base cruise fare amount of the currently booked cruise, and will have a minimum value of $100 per person.

To receive the above FCCs, no action is required by the guest or their travel advisor. Alternatively, guests can request a full refund for all monies paid on their booking through this online form. Requests must be received by August 31, 2020 or guests will be registered for the Future Cruise Credit option.

Princess will 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.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Spirit

Carnival has made the decision to extend the pause in Australian operations up to and including 29 October 2020.

With COVID-19 still evolving, Carnival is working closely with the best minds in medical science and public health to understand the unique challenges posed by the virus and how best to apply the latest science across its operations.

Carnival will resume cruising when the company feels it can continue to serve the interests of public health, and will do so with enhanced health measures developed in conjunction with government health authorities, public health experts, local ports of call and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Carnival Cruise Line appreciates the understanding and support of its guests and travel agent partners and looks forward to welcoming them on board when the time is right.

The company is making contact with guests and travel agents who are impacted and is offering flexible options for all those affected.

Click here for more information.