Princess Cruises cancels most cruises until December due to ongoing pandemic

Princess Cruises has cancelled almost all its global cruise operations until mid-December, citing the ongoing spread of coronavirus and subsequent travel restrictions for cruise markets and cruise destinations around the world.

The move makes Princess Cruises the first of the big, mainstream cruise lines to cancel cruises through the rest of the year and may be a sign of things to come for the wider industry.

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Princess Cruises was the first line to announce a global pause in operations back in March, when the shutdown of the worldwide cruise industry seemed unthinkable.

“Due to the continued progression of COVID-19 and related decisions of various government, health authorities, and airlines regarding travel restrictions, Princess Cruises is extending its pause in cruise operations,” the cruise line said in a statement.

All cruises sailing in and out of Australia on Majestic Princess, Regal Princess, Sapphire Princess, Sea Princess, and Sun Princess have been cancelled through October 31st, 2020, while all sailings in Asia, Caribbean, California Coast, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, South America& Antarctica, Japan, and Tahiti/South Pacific have been called through December 15th, 2020.

“We share in our guests’ disappointment in cancelling these cruises,” said Jan Swartz, President, Princess Cruises. “We look forward to the days when we can return to travel and the happiness it brings to all who cruise.”

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Guests currently booked on these cancelled voyages who have paid Princess in full 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.

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 US $100 per person.

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 August 31st, 2020 or guests will be registered for the Future Cruise Credit option.