Update: 23/7/2020

It is increasingly apparent that the world will not be ready to return to sailing as soon as we had hoped. The diverse itineraries we sail frequently require flights for our guests and access to ports that simply is not available right now. This would interfere with our ability to deliver a quality holiday. So today, 22nd July 2020, Princess is announcing that we will extend our global pause of operations as follows:

·        All remaining cruises sailing in and out of Australia on Majestic Princess, Regal Princess, Sapphire Princess, Sea Princess, and Sun Princess; through till 31st October 2020
·        All other sailings to Asia, Caribbean, California Coast, Hawaii, Japan, Mexico, Panama Canal, South America & Antarctica, and Tahiti/South Pacific; through till 15th December 2020.

The full list of cancelled voyages is attached and can also be found on Princess.com

Date: 23/7/2020
Source: Princess Cruises

 

 

Update 06/05/2020

Princess Cruises extends pause of global ship operations for remaining 2020 summer season

Due to reduced air flight availability, the closure of cruise ports in regions around the world and other factors impacting international travel, Princess Cruises is extending its pause of global ship operations and has therefore made the extremely difficult decision to cancel select cruises through the end of the 2020 summer season, including the following cruises and associated cruisetours:

All remaining Alaska cruises on Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess
All remaining Europe and Transatlantic cruises on Enchanted Princess, Regal Princess, Sky Princess, Crown Princess and Island Princess
Summer Caribbean cruises and all Canada & New England cruises on Caribbean Princess and Sky Princess
Summer to autumn cruises departing from Japan on Diamond Princess
Australia-based cruises on Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess through August
July cruises sailing from Taiwan on Majestic Princess
Autumn cruises sailing to Hawaii and French Polynesia on Pacific Princess through November

Date: 06/05/2020
Source: Princess Cruises

 

 

Update 15/4/2020

Princess Cruises has today announced that in continued response to the impact of the COVID-19 global outbreak and the recent order from the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the line is cancelling all voyages due to depart up to and including June 30, 2020.

In addition, Princess Cruises can confirm modifications to the Alaska season, which includes the cancellation of all Princess Alaska Gulf cruises and cruisetours. The five wilderness lodges, trains and buses operated by Princess in Alaska will not open this summer. The line will continue its roundtrip sailings from Seattle to Alaska on Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess.

“We hope everyone impacted by these cancellations – especially our guests, travel agent partners, teammates, and the communities we visit – understand our decision to do our part to protect the safety, health and well-being of our guests and team.  We look forward to the brighter days and smooth seas ahead for all of us.”

Each ship will have a unique return to service date based on the previously published cruise itineraries with some modifications, departing after July 1, 2020. Details about the cancelled voyages can be found here.

Princess Cruises is offering two cancellation options. Guests currently booked on these cancelled voyages, who have paid in full, will receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid and as an added incentive, an additional 25% FCC. Guests must use their credits on a cruise that sails on or before May 1, 2022. No action is required for guests to receive this offer and they will be notified by email once the credits have been issued.

Alternatively, guests can receive a full refund for all monies paid in full on their booking through this online form. Requests must be received by May 31, 2020, or they will receive the Future Cruise Credit option. Guests who have not yet paid in full will receive a refund of all monies paid.

Date: 15/04/2020
Source: Princess Cruises

 

 

Cancellation & Final Payment Updates

This update applies to departures from May 11 to July 31, 2020.
We have enhanced the temporary policy updates that we made on March 6 as part of our Cruise with Confidence program, offering you peace of mind when booking your summer cruise or cruisetour vacation during the evolving situation with the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

What’s Changed?
Cruises sailing May 11, 2020 through July 31, 2020

Princess plans to resume Cruise Operations on May 11, 2020.
Cruise with Confidence is extended to cruises sailing through July 31, 2020 (previously May 31, 2020).
On these cruises, you can now cancel your vacation up to 48 hours before sailing (previously 72 hours).
You will continue to receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for the amount of your cancellation fee.
We have expired the previously published policy which gave you an Onboard Credit (OBC) if you did not cancel your bookings on cruises or cruisetours for departures between May 11, 2020 and May 31, 2020.
The previously published March 31st cancellation deadline for April and May sailings is eliminated.
The previously published 60-day final payment date for June sailings remains in place. Beginning with July sailings the final payment date returns to our published policy.
Cruises sailing August 1, 2020 through October 15, 2020

If you’ve booked by April 30, 2020 on these cruises, you can now cancel your vacation up to 30 days before sailing.
You will continue to receive a Future Cruise Credit for the amount of your cancellation fee.
The Fine Print remains unchanged

Future Cruise Credits (FCC) are non-refundable. To be eligible for these revised cancellation terms, bookings must be made on any cruise departing by December 31, 2021.

The FCC does not have to be used on the same product that was cancelled. The FCC cannot be used on the same sailing as the original booking.

FCCs will automatically be applied to your Captain’s Circle profile on the bookings cancelled in this time frame. Note, FCCs will not be available instantly and may take up to 30 business days to be processed.

Voluntary 60 Day Pause of Global Ship Operations

March 12, 2020 5:40 AM PT / 8:40 AM ET
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.

If the future cruise credit option does not work for some guests, they will be able to complete an online form 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 Future Cruise Credit or 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.

Source : Princess Cruises

Date : 12/03/20