There’s no doubt that the coronavirus pandemic is taking its toll on the cruise industry. But mainstream ocean lines (along with expedition and small-ship cruise lines, as well as river cruise lines) are doing everything they can to do right by travelers. Cruise ships are only suspending operations and will be back in full force as soon as possible. Until then, here is when each brand (organized by corporation and then individual company) is currently scheduled to come back online and how they are handling cancellations.
These statuses and policies are changing frequently, but we will continue to update this story as we are notified of modifications. In the meantime, we hope to provide a helpful snapshot, and we recommend checking this page often and verifying with each line for the latest details.
Carnival Corporation & Plc (updated June 22)
Carnival Cruise Line (updated June 22)
Carnival Cruise Line plans to resume North American service on Oct. 1. However, all Alaska, Hawaii and Trans-Pacific cruises aboard Carnival Spirit through Oct. 6 have been canceled, as well as all 2020 sailings from San Francisco, Carnival Sunrise voyages through Oct. 19, Carnival Legend cruises through Oct. 30 and Carnival Radiance sailings through Nov. 1.
"We have watched with great interest as commerce, travel and personal activities have begun to start back up, and once we do resume service, we will take all necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we bring our ships to in order to maintain public confidence in our business. Nevertheless, we apologize for disrupting your vacation plans and appreciate your patience as we work through these decisions,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Until then, guests of canceled cruises will receive a 100% future cruise credit and $600 onboard credit per cabin for affected sailings six-plus days in length, or a 100% future cruise credit and $300 onboard credit per cabin for affected sailings five days or less in length. Clients must be rebooked by May 31, 2021 for a sailing departing by Apr. 30, 2023, for the credits to apply. Alternatively, passengers can request a 100% refund without the option for onboard credits.
www.carnival.com
Cunard (updated on June 9)
Cunard plans to resume service Nov. 2 for Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria and Nov. 24 for Queen Elizabeth. Guests of canceled cruises will receive a 125% future cruise credit good toward any sailings if rebooked by Dec. 31, 2021. Or, passengers can request a 100% refund.
"If you’re booked on a Cunard voyage sailing on Queen Mary 2 or Queen Victoria after Nov. 1, 2020 and on Queen Elizabeth after November 23, 2020 and wish to cancel, our standard cancelation policy applies and Cunard shall be entitled to levy a cancelation charge as a percentage of the fare paid,” according to the line.
www.cunard.com
Holland America Line (updated June 12)
Holland America Line (HAL) previously planned to resume service July 1.
However, all Alaska, Europe and Canada/New England cruises for 2020 have been cancelled, as well as all Land+Sea Journeys for the summer season. Additional cancellations include the following specific sailings per ship: Amsterdam’s Oct. 3 79-day Grand Africa Voyage; Eurodam from Vancouver on Sept. 26; Koningsdam from Vancouver on Sept. 26 and from San Diego on Jan. 16 and Feb. 2, 2021; Maasdam from Vancouver on Sept. 21; Noordam from Vancouver on Sept. 27; Volendam from Vancouver on Sept. 30, Oct. 3 and Oct. 10; and Westerdam from Vancouver on Sept. 20 and Oct. 7.
Affected guests will receive a 125% future cruise credit, good for 12 months from issue and applicable on voyages through Dec. 31, 2022. Or, passengers can request a 100% refund.
HAL has also updated its cancellation policy. Full future cruise credits are available for bookings made by Aug. 31 for departures on or before Dec. 31, 2021 if cancelled within 30 days of leaving.
“Recognizing the vital role travel advisors play in the success of the cruise industry, HAL will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for canceled cruises that were paid in full and for the total amount of the future cruise credits when guests rebook,” the line said.
www.hollandamerica.com
Princess Cruises (updated June 3)
Princess Cruises previously planned to resume service July 1.
However, the line has cancelled select sailings through fall 2020 including and adding all remaining Alaska voyages on Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess; all voyages in and out of Vancouver and Seattle in September and October on Coral Princess, Emerald Princess, Grand Princess, Royal Princess, Ruby Princess and Star Princess; all remaining Europe and Transatlantic cruises through summer on Enchanted Princess, Regal Princess, Sky Princess, Crown Princess and Island Princess; summer Caribbean sailings and all Canada & New England cruises on Caribbean Princess and Sky Princess; Pacific and California Coast roundtrip cruises from San Francisco in September and October on Star Princess; summer to fall voyages departing from Japan on Diamond Princess; Australia-based cruises through mid-September on Sea Princess, Majestic Princess, Sun Princess and Sapphire Princess; July sailings from Taiwan on Majestic Princess; roundtrip sailings from Keelung, Taiwan in August on Majestic Princess and fall cruises sailing to Hawaii and French Polynesia on Pacific Princess through November.
Clients originally set to sail before then will be offered a 125% future cruise credit. Or, passengers can request a 100% refund.
“Princess will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for canceled 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,” the line said.
www.princess.com
Seabourn Cruise Line (updated May 26)
Seabourn plans to resume service in October and November. Seabourn Sojourn will return on Oct. 14, Seabourn Encore on Oct. 20, Seabourn Ovation and Seabourn Quest on Nov. 7 and Seabourn Odyssey on Nov. 21.
Guests set to cruise before that time will receive a 125% future cruise credit good for one year from issue toward any sailing through Dec. 31, 2022. Or, passengers can request a 100% refund.
For existing and new bookings made by July 31, cruises through Dec. 31, 2021 can be canceled within 30 days of sailing for a full future cruise credit, good for one year from issue applicable towards departures through Dec. 31, 2022. Plus, the cancellation policy now "includes a new 'Best Fare Guarantee' benefit, ensuring guests can have peace of mind that they can always request the lowest publicly available fare offered for their voyage in the event fares are lowered following booking,” according to the line.
Note to Advisors
“Seabourn understands and values the role travel advisors play in the success of the cruise industry and will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for canceled cruises that were paid in full and for the total amount of the future cruise credits when guests rebook,” the line said.
www.seabourn.com
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (updated June 17)
Norwegian Cruise Line (updated June 30)
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) plans to resume service Oct. 1. Additional suspensions extend to the Norwegian Bliss on Oct. 4 and 12 and Norwegian Joy on Oct. 4 in Alaska, as well as Norwegian Breakaway on Oct. 4 and 11 and Norwegian Gem on Oct. 2 and 9 in Canada/New England.
Guests set to sail on canceled cruises will receive a 125% future cruise credit, good for one year from issue and applicable to sailings through Dec. 31, 2022. Or, passengers can request a 100% refund.
NCL’s current cancellation policy reads that any cruise through Dec. 31 can be canceled up to 48 hours before embarkation for a full future cruise credit good toward voyages through Dec. 31, 2022.
Travel partner commissions on canceled cruises will be protected as per normal policy,” the line said.
www.ncl.com
Oceania Cruises (updated June 17)
Oceania Cruises plans to resume service Oct. 1 aboard Regatta, Nautica, Marina, Riviera and Sirena and Oct. 27 on Insignia.
Guests scheduled to sail on canceled cruises will receive a 125% future cruise credit applicable to any cruise through Dec. 31, 2022 booked by June 17, 2021. Or, passengers can request a 100% refund.
According to Oceania’s updated cancellation policy, cruises can be canceled up to 48 hours in advance of sailing for a full future cruise credit. This applies to existing bookings departing 2020-2022 and new reservations made by July 31 for cruises leaving 2020-2022. Future cruise credits must be applied to voyages through Dec. 31, 2022, within one year from issue date.
“Travel partner commissions on canceled cruises will be protected as per normal policy,” the line said.
www.oceaniacruises.com
Regent Seven Seas Cruises (updated June 17)
Regent Seven Seas Cruises plans to resume service Oct. 1. All Canada & New England sailings for 2020 have also been canceled.
Guests affected by the cancellations will receive a 125% future cruise credit. Or, passengers can request a 100% refund.
Regent’s updated cancellation policy states that cruises can be canceled up to 15 days in advance of sailing for a full future cruise credit. This applies to existing and new reservations made by July 31 for cruises departing through Dec. 31, 2022. Future cruise credits must be applied to voyages through Dec. 31, 2022, within one year from issue date.
“Travel partner commissions on canceled cruises will be protected as per normal policy,” the line said.
www.rssc.com
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (updated June 23)
Azamara (updated June 23)
Azamara plans to resume service Sept. 16. Passengers set to cruise before then will receive a 125% future cruise credit, to be applied by Dec. 31, 2021 for any sailing through April 30, 2022. Or, passengers can request a 100% refund.
True of both new and existing cruise reservations made by Aug. 1, Azamara has revised its cancellation policy to allow canceling a voyage up to 48 hours before departure for a full future cruise credit through April 2022.
www.azamara.com
Celebrity Cruises (updated June 23)
Celebrity Cruises plans to resume service Sept. 16. Passengers slated to cruise prior will receive a 125% future cruise credit, to be applied by Dec. 31, 2021. Or, passengers can request a 100% refund.
Celebrity has revised its cancellation policy to allow canceling a booking made by Aug. 1 up to 48 hours before departure for a full future cruise credit through May 4, 2022.
www.celebritycruises.com
Royal Caribbean International (updated June 23)
Royal Caribbean International plans to resume service Sept. 16. However, Canada and Bermuda sailings have been canceled through Oct. 31, as have Voyager of the Seas cruises through Sept. 30 and Spectrum of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas voyages only through July. Other specific sailings that have been suspended include Explorer of the Seas’ August departures; Jewel of the Seas’ Aug. 8, 16 and 23 voyages and Brilliance of the Seas’ Aug. 21 cruise.
Passengers slated to cruise prior will receive a 125% future cruise credit towards sailings through April 30, 2022, to be applied by Dec. 31, 2021. Or, passengers can request a 100% refund.
For both new and existing cruise bookings made by Aug. 1 and sailing through April 30, 2022, Royal Caribbean International has revised its cancellation policy to allow canceling a voyage up to 48 hours before departure for a full future cruise credit valid through Dec. 31, 2021 or 12 months from the original canceled sail date, whichever is longer.
www.royalcaribbean.com
Silversea Cruises (updated June 23)
Silversea Cruises plans to resume service per ship, first beginning on Aug. 22 aboard Silver Origin. Guests who were planning to cruise before then will receive a 125% future cruise credit, to be applied within two years of issuance. Or, passengers can request a 100% refund.
Plus, for cruises departing before Dec. 31, guests can cancel up to 48 hours in advance of sailing for a full future cruise credit, valid for two years from issue date.
Note to Advisors
“Silversea will now be protecting travel agent commission on all bookings canceled under the Cruise with Confidence program set to depart between March 9 and July 31,” the line said.
www.silversea.com
Independent Companies
Crystal (updated June 23)
Crystal plans to resume service per vessel. Crystal Symphony will come back online on Sept. 1, Crystal Serenity will set sail again on Oct. 1 and Crystal Esprit is scheduled to return on Nov. 1.
Guests set to embark on these ships before these dates will receive a 125% future cruise credit toward departures through Dec. 31, 2023. Or, passengers can request a 100% refund.
Crystal has modified its cancellation policy, as well. Guests may now cancel their voyage up to seven days in advance of a sailing and receive a full future cruise credit redeemable through the end of 2023.
www.crystalcruises.com
Disney Cruise Line (updated June 26)
Disney Cruise Line plans to resume service per vessel. Disney Wonder sailings are set to return on Sept. 15 while Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy cruises are scheduled for Sept. 16 and Disney Magic for Oct. 3.
The current cancellation policy also reads that guests can change their sail date up to 15 days before departure for any sailings booked by Aug. 31 for cruises through March 2021.
Affected guests will receive a full future cruise credit. Or, they may request a 100% refund.
disneycruise.disney.go.com
MSC Cruises (updated June 23)
MSC Cruises plans to resume Caribbean service from Miami on Sept. 16. MSC Meraviglia cruises from New York have also been canceled through Oct. 22. Otherwise, non-Caribbean voyages are set to return on Aug. 1. Affected guests will receive a 125% future cruise credit that can be used for cruises departing through Dec. 31, 2021. Or, passengers can request a 100% refund.
MSC has also revised its cancellation policy so that guests who wish to cancel a cruise departure through Oct. 31 up to 48 hours before sailing will receive a full future cruise credit for a voyage through Dec. 31, 2021.
www.msccruisesusa.com
Viking (updated July 9)
Viking plans to resume service Oct. 1. Guests who were supposed to sail before then will receive a 125% future cruise credit good for two years. Or, passengers can request a 100% refund.
Viking’s updated cancellation policy permits clients who make a reservation by July 31 to cancel their cruise up to 24 hours in advance of sailing. Those who opt for this will receive a full future cruise credit. The credit will be available for two years.
"As the world continues its path to recovery from COVID-19, we remain focused on the future,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking. "We are committed to maintaining the safest and healthiest fleet in the industry. We are fortunate to have small ocean ships with only 930 guests, and river ships with only 190 guests and their spacious design will help facilitate social distancing as needed. We have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness—and are now finalizing additional protocols to make traveling with Viking even safer. We will be sharing more information about this very soon. Also, during this time of non-operation, we are further training our crew and preparing our fleet to welcome you on board again."
www.vikingcruises.com
Virgin Voyages (updated May 21)
Virgin Voyages plans to resume service Oct. 16. Guests booked on impacted sailings have the option to receive a 200% future cruise credit, and passengers in RockStar Quarters who apply it before June 30 will also receive up to $500 in onboard credit.
Passengers in Sea Terraces will receive $300 in onboard credit, and those in Sea Views and Insiders will receive $150. Or, clients can request a 100% refund, and they’ll also get a 25% future cruise credit. Otherwise, Virgin’s cancellation policy is unchanged.
www.virginvoyages.com
Windstar Cruises (updated May 19)
Windstar Cruises plans to resume service per ship starting in September. Wind Spirit will restart on Sept. 3 followed by Star Breeze on Oct. 27, Wind Surf on Nov. 29, Wind Star on Jan. 16, 2021, Star Legend on March 1, 2021 and Star Pride on July 5, 2021. The three motor yachts are affected by shipyard delays.
Guests scheduled to depart prior to then will receive a 125% future cruise credit to be booked and sailed within 24 months. Or, passengers can request a 100% refund.
Travelers can cancel their voyage up to 15 days before their scheduled departure and receive a full future cruise refund, which can be applied by Dec. 31, 2021.
Note to Advisors
“Windstar will protect travel advisor commissions on affected bookings,” the line said.
www.windstarcruises.com
