Princess Cruises Extends Pause of Global Ship Operations Into 2021

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (November 20, 2020) – In response to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) "Framework for Conditional Sailing Order" pertaining to resumption of U.S. cruise operations, Princess Cruises is extending its pause in global operations to allow time for the estimated preparation needed for completing required activities prior to sailing and taking into consideration the temporary seven-day cap on itineraries that call at a U.S. port. The cruise operations impacted include the following:

• All cruises sailing through March 31, 2021

• All cruises longer than seven days sailing in and out of United States ports through November 1, 2021

Additionally, due to the uncertainty about when international travel restrictions might be lifted, Princess Cruises is extending its pause in operations for cruises departing in and out of Japan through June 25, 2021.

"We are focused on preparing our ships to meet the CDC health and safety requirements for our eventual return to service," said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. "We also appreciate the continued support we have received from our guests, partners and travel advisors, reinforcing for all of us why we do what we do."

Guests currently booked on these cancelled voyages 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.

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 December 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.

Thank You Sale from Azamara Club Cruises

• Deal & Details: For the first-time ever Azamara will launch its ‘Thank You Sale.’ Here, guests can enjoy up to $1,000 in onboard credit, plus a complimentary two-category stateroom upgrade on select sailings when they book between November 19 – December 5, 2020 — a combination between the 2020 ‘Double Upgrade’ offer and past summer promotions. With a treasure trove of applicable sailings that take place from March 20, 2021 – September 29, 2021, experiences include traveling back to the days of the Byzantine Empire in Rhodes, exploring Dublin’s Celtic history, and meandering through Norway’s Fjords.

• How to book? Landing page here will go live on 11/19.

• Azamara: Azamara is an upmarket cruise line and the leader in Destination Immersion, with three mid-sized ships sailing to all seven continents of the world. The boutique-style ships allow them to reach marquee ports around the world and dock in smaller less-visited hidden gems.

• COVID-19 Assurances & Measures: When reserving, guests can ignite their wanderlust and book worry free with Azamara’s signature Cruise with Confidence program, which provides assurance when planning a future cruise with the flexibility of canceling up to 48 hours before sailing. When Azamara recommences sailing, there will be implementation of expert advice from parent company Royal Caribbean’s Healthy Sail Panel to ensure guests and crew fee comfortable, healthy, and safe.
  

Carnival Cruise Line Cancels Additional Cruises as It Works to Meet CDC Requirements to Resume Operations in 2021

MIAMI, Nov. 18, 2020 – As it continues to build and implement its plan to meet the requirements of the Framework for Resuming Cruise Ship Operations Order issued on Oct. 30 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Carnival Cruise Line notified guests and travel agents that it has cancelled additional cruises for the first part of 2021, including:

• All embarkations from U.S. homeports from Jan. 1-31.

• Additionally, Baltimore, Charleston, Jacksonville, Long Beach, Mobile, New Orleans and San Diego embarkations through Feb. 28.

• Embarkations on Carnival Legend out of Tampa through March 26.

Carnival is in the process of building a gradual, phased in approach to resume guest operations, which will focus initially on Miami and Port Canaveral, to be followed by Galveston. Consistent with CDC protocols, Carnival Horizon arrives in Miami this week, and Carnival Breeze will be the next ship back to the U.S. In total, 16 Carnival ships are currently following the CDC process for an eventual resumption of guest service in the U.S. in 2021, including Carnival Conquest, Dream, Ecstasy, Elation, Freedom, Glory, Liberty, Miracle, Panorama, Pride, Sensation, Sunrise, Sunshine and Vista. Mardi Gras, which is under construction in Finland, will also enter service in 2021.

With this announcement Carnival’s operations are paused in the U.S. through Jan. 31, 2021. In addition, Carnival had previously cancelled certain other itineraries on four ships (Magic, Paradise, Valor, and Victory/Radiance) that are scheduled for required dry docks in the first half of 2021, with the plan to return them to operations after maintenance work and upgrades are completed. Carnival previously cancelled operations in Australia through March 2, 2021.

“We are committed to meeting the CDC requirements and keeping our guests and business partners informed of our progress,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “The entire Carnival team appreciates the great support of our guests, travel advisors and business partners, and local officials in our homeports and destinations.”