By canceling the Diamond Princess’ summer and fall/winter schedule
next year, Princess Cruises effectively sees a 2004 delivery date
for the new generation cruise ship.
The ship was severely damaged in a fire at its Japanese shipyard
last week. The line and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard
officials were still assessing the damage at press time.
The vessel was to be turned over to Princess next May, but the
cruise line this week canceled all of its sailings through February
2004.
Meanwhile, passengers booked to sail on the Diamond Princess in
Alaska next summer will be moved to the same cabin category on the
Star Princess, which offers virtually an identical itinerary. And
passengers booked on the ship’s Mexico sailings next autumn will
receive a full refund, plus a $25 shipboard credit if they rebook.
Agents receive a $25 bonus commission per booking.
“The good news for affected Alaska passengers is that because it
is still early in the booking cycle, we will be able to accommodate
them on a compara-ble sailing on the Star Princess,” said Dean
Brown, Princess’ executive vice president of customer service and
sales.
The Star Princess will offer 18 Inside Passage voyages from
Seattle from May 17 to Sept. 13, calling at Juneau, Skagway,
Ketchikan and Victoria.
Passengers booked on the Mexican Riviera cruises from Sept. 27,
2003 to Feb. 28, 2004 will receive full refunds if they cancel and
will get a $25 shipboard credit if they choose to rebook on another
Princess cruise. Agents also will receive a $25 bonus commission if
they rebook their clients.
