Princess, Carnival, P&O Cruises, Cunard, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity have announced a further pause of its cruise ship operations in Australia, 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.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is extending its pause in cruise operations in Australia through December 12, 2020, which includes cruises throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Guests who have paid in full on these cancelled voyages will 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 paid. To receive the above FCCs, no action is required by the guest or their travel advisor.
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.
Alternatively, guests can forfeit the bonus FCC offer and request a refund for all money paid on their booking by using this online form. Guests have until September 30, 2020 to elect a refund, or they will automatically receive the default offer listed above.
Princess will protect travel agent 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. For additional information about Princess Cruises, travel agents are encouraged to call 1300 587 473 or visit onesourcecruises.com.au
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.
P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises Australia is extending its rolling pause in operations from Australia to 2 December this year.
To support guests’ peace-of-mind during these times, P&O has extended its flexible payment and cancellation policy – called ‘P&O Assurance’ – even further to the end of next year’s summer holidays. Guests can now cancel their booking for any reason up to 48 hours prior to the scheduled date of departure for sailings to 31 January, 2021 and receive a future cruise credit to the value of the fare paid.
“It is clear that society is not yet ready to return to sailing and we will continue to liaise with governments and public health experts as all align on how people should gather and holiday,”
P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell
The extended pause in operations will affect the following cruises:
- Pacific Adventure: V061, V062 and V063Pacific Explorer: X047, X048, X049, X050 and X051
- Pacific Dawn: W054, W055N, W056N, W058 and W059
- Pacific Aria: A052, A053, A054, A055, A056, A057 and A058
P&O will make contact with guests whose cruises have been affected, either directly or via their appointed travel agent, to let them know of this development and the options available to them.
Guests who have not yet received an offer in response to a cruise that was cancelled during P&O’s pause in operations are entitled to a full refund or bonus onboard credit if they choose a future cruise credit. All guests on select cruises including the popular Melbourne Cup itinerary, can opt to move their booking to the same time next year and receive bonus onboard credit.
P&O will pay refunds back to travel agents for guests who booked through that channel. The cruise line will also protect travel agent commissions on all bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full as at 26 August, 2020 and for the total amount of the future cruise credits.
Click here for more information.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line is extending its pause in departures from Australia through 2 December 2020 for Carnival Spirit and Carnival Splendor.
Carnival had previously announced pauses through 29 October and is now notifying guests and travel agents about these new cancellations.
Carnival will resume cruising when the time is right and will do so with enhanced health measures developed in conjunction with government authorities, public health experts, local ports of call, and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Carnival Cruise Line appreciates the understanding and support of our guests and travel agent partners and looks forward to warmly welcoming our guests back on board as soon as possible.
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.
READ: Carnival Cruise Line: First Look At BOLT, The First Roller Coaster At Sea
Cunard
Cunard extends pause in operations and confirms itinerary changes for 2021 with new European sailings and 2022 World Voyage
In an acknowledgment of the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) guidance and the complexity of operating world voyages, Cunard will be extending its pause in operations from November 2020 until March 25, 2021, for its ship Queen Elizabeth; until April 18, 2021, for Queen Mary 2 and until May 16, 2021, for Queen Victoria.
Cunard will be contacting guests and travel agents who are impacted and, once again, all guests who have had their voyage cancelled will automatically receive an enhanced 125% Future Cruise Credit or alternatively can fill in the website form for a 100% refund.
Full details of the changes to operations and options available to guests due to travel on cancelled voyages, as well as the latest updates, can be found at www.cunard.com
Royal Caribbean Group
Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises will be extending the suspension of sailings to include those departing from Australia and New Zealand on or before October 31, 2020.
Royal Caribbean Group will be reaching out to guests and travel partners to share further details and address any questions or concerns they may have.
Click here for more information.
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