In response to travelers’ rising concerns over the worldwide spread of the coronavirus, many cruise lines are modifying their cancellation, booking and even payment policies to provide their customers increased peace-of-mind, options and flexibility, both for those with cruises already booked and those considering booking a cruise vacation during the upcoming summer and autumn seasons.
Many of these policies have been issued on a temporary basis in light of the evolving COVID-19 situation and may continue to adapt as circumstances unfold. Some cruise lines are also offering incentives alongside these policies for guests who choose to keep their scheduled departure dates as already booked. What follows is a summary of some major cruise carriers’ modified policies:
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Carnival Cruise Line is putting measures in place to provide guests with additional rescheduling options and flexibility for those with vacations booked between now and May 31, 2020, as well as incentives to proceed with their plans.
—Customers booked for sailings between March 9 and March 31, 2020, can reschedule their booking up to 72 hours prior to departure without. The Future Cruise Credit (FCC) issued in lieu of their trip must be used to sail by March 31, 2021.
—Those booked on sailings departing between April 1 and May 31 will have the ability to change their booking to a future date through March 31, 2020.
Those who choose to keep their bookings during this time frame will receive Onboard Credit (OBC) amounts of:
—$100 per cabin for 3- and 4-day cruises
—$150 per cabin for 5-day cruises
—$200 per cabin for 6-day and longer cruises
Guests who choose to go through with their scheduled sailings will automatically receive the credit in their ‘Sign & Sail’ onboard account.
Crystal Cruises has implemented new cancellation guidelines for active and new bookings on upcoming departures aboard Crystal Serenity, Crystal Symphony, Crystal Esprit and Crystal Endeavor, as reported by Cruise Critic.
—Now through April 30, 2020, for cancellations made up to 31 days prior to embarkation, guests can receive the equivalent of their cancellation penalties in the form of a Future Cruise Credit. The FCC is then valid towards Crystal’s ocean, river, yacht and expedition voyages scheduled for embarkation on or before December 31, 2021.
Disney Cruise Line has announced that guests scheduled for sailings between now and May 31, 2020, can charge their reservations up until the day before embarkation and receive a 100-percent Future Cruise Credit to be used on another sailing within one year of their original departure date. Guests who choose to rebook may do so by calling 1-866-325-2112. FCCs are non-refundable and standard prevailing rates for future cruises will apply.
Princess Cruises is temporarily modifying its cancellation policy for cruises and cruise tours departing through May 31, 2020. The specifics vary by departure date:
—April 3 or earlier: Cancel up to 72 hours prior to sailing to receive Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for 100-percent of cancellation fees
—April 4 – May 31: Cancel by March 31, 2020, and receive FCC for 100-percent of cancellation fees
—June 1 – June 30: Final Payment moves to 60 days prior to sailing (from 90 days)
Departure dates are defined as the start date of guests’ cruises or cruise tours, whichever is earlier. The revised policy excludes chartered cruises.
Guests who choose to keep their currently-scheduled bookings for sailing between March 9 and May 31, 2020, will be issued the following Onboard Credit amounts:
—$100 per cabin for 3-day and 4-day cruises
—$150 per cabin for 5-day cruises
—$200 per cabin for 6-day and longer cruises
Riviera River Cruises is also temporarily updating is deposit and cancellation policies in response to the current climate.
—On new reservations, guest deposits will be fully refundable up to 60 days after booking.
—After 60 days, clients who cancel their plans can have their deposit transferred to any other 2020 or 2021 Riviera River Cruises sailing.
—Those who have deposited, but not fully paid can delay paying in full up to 30 days prior to departure or transfer their deposit to any other 2020 sailing.
—Clients who have paid in full and are scheduled for travel to areas that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are affected by COVID-19, will be offered a full Future Cruise Credit should they choose to cancel.
—Clients traveling to areas deemed non-affected by the CDC who chose to cancer will incur standard cancellation penalties.
Royal Caribbean has instated its “Cruise with Confidence” policy, enabling guests to cancel their plans up to just two days prior to departure. Up to 48 hours before sailing, guests can cancel and still receive full credit for their fare, usable on any future sailing of the guest’s choice for travel in 2020 or 2021.
The “Cruise with Confidence” measure applies to both new and existing bookings across the company’s four global brands—Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea—and covers all voyages with a sailing date on or before July 31, 2020.
Silversea Cruises is temporarily easing its new-booking, rebooking and cancellation policies. Those who book for sailings departing between June 1 and December 31, 2020, can cancel until just 30 days prior to departure, paying only a customary administrative fee on the cruise fare.
On both existing and future bookings for all sailings departing between June 1 and July 31, 2020, Silversea guests have a few options:
—Those who cancel at least 30 days prior to their sailing date can opt to receive either a 100-percent cash refund or 100-percent Future Cruise Credit refund (see Silversea’s full policy amendment for details)
—Those canceling their trip between 30 days and 2 days prior to departure will receive a Future Cruise Credit for 100 percent of their fare.
—Cancellations occurring with two days of departure will incur full cancellation penalties and are also subject to a $200 administrative fee.
