Princess Cruises — the Carnival Corporation-owned line that has seen two ships hit with cases of coronovirus — has announced a pause in sailings for 60 days. The announcement applies to sailings from March 12 to May 10, 2020.
The voluntary order applies to the entire fleet of 18 cruise ships that sail around the world, and impacts tens of thousand of passengers.
“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.
According to the statement released by Princess, those currently on its ships with cruises ending in the next five days will continue to sail as planned. Cruises that go beyond March 17 will end “at the most convenient location for guests, factoring in operational requirements.”
For those booked aboard one of the cancelled sailings, Princess is offering either a cash refund or a refund of what they’ve paid to apply to a future cruise. If guests choose to move their booking to another date, Princess says it will “add an additional generous future cruise credit benefit.”
This voluntary cancellation shows the impact that the crisis is having on the cruise industry, which has been hit hard. Back on March 1, we questioned if U.S. cruises could be cancelled. With this pause in sailings from Princess, it now makes us wonder if the entire industry could follow suit.
While it would be drastic, we’ve already seen other cancellations and suspensions due to caution from spreading the virus. That includes the massive SXSW festival and even the suspension of the NBA season. When looked through that light, a pause on sailings isn’t out of line.
Princess is scheduled to return to sailing on May 11, 2020.
You can read the full press release below:
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 or onboard expenses. 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.
Princess will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full and for the total amount of the future cruise credits, in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line’s business and success.
If the future cruise credit option does not work for some guests, they will be able to complete an electronic form on Princess.com 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 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.
Read our full coverage of the crisis and its impact on cruising here.