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Victory Cruise Lines suspends service through June 30 for Victory I and cancels remaining itineraries for Victory II

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 April 2020 21 April 2020

Victory Cruise Lines, operated by American Queen Steamboat Company, a Hornblower Family Company, announced that it will extend its temporary suspension for all operations on board the Victory I through June 30, 2020 and cancel all planned itineraries for the Victory II for the remainder of the 2020 season. The Victory I will resume service on July 5, 2020. The decision was made following continued, wide-spread governmental restrictions across ports, cities and public institutions and an extended no sail order through Canadian waters through June 30.

VCL thanks its guests, travel agent partners, vendors and team members for their patience and understanding during this rapidly evolving situation. The decision to suspend service was a difficult choice but necessary in response to Canadian mandates.

“Our top priority remains the health and safety of our guests, team members and crew,” shares John Waggoner, founder and CEO of American Queen Steamboat Company. “We came to the difficult decision to consolidate the Victory II itineraries with Victory I due to the shortened nature of our 2020 season, as a result of the ongoing travel restrictions and port closures. It is our hope that in doing so, we can prioritize delivering the extraordinary Great Lakes sailing experience that our loyal guests have come to expect from the VCL brand.

For guests that are booked to depart on the Victory I before June 30, 2020 and those booked onboard the Victory II, no action is necessary at this time. The VCL customer service team will reach out directly to guests and travel agents in the coming days to answer any questions and advise on their available options, which include the opportunity to rebook on a later date, a 125 percent cruise credit or a full refund.

Hapag-Lloyd brings most ships home to Hamburg

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 April 2020 20 April 2020

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the luxury and expedition cruise unit of TUI Cruises, will bring all but one of its ships home to Hamburg, where the company has its headquarters due to the coronavirus crisis.

Hanseatic Nature is due to reach the port of Hamburg today, while Hanseatic Inspiration, Europa and Europa 2 have already started their way back home and are expected to arruve on 2 May.

Bremen will remain off Auckland in New Zealand, the company stated.

Royal Caribbean extends global suspension of cruising

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 April 2020 17 April 2020

Given global public health circumstances, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has decided to extend the suspension of sailings of its global fleet through June 11, 2020.

"We are working with our guests to address this disruption to their vacations, and we are genuinely sorry for their inconvenience.

We expect to return to service on June 12," the company said in a statement.

Princess Cruises extends temporary pause, cancels Alaska Gulf voyages and land and sea program

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 April 2020 15 April 2020

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), Princess Cruises is canceling all voyages through June 30, 2020. The cruise line had previously announced a voluntary pause for two months (60 days), impacting voyages departing March 12 to May 10, 2020.

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

"This global outbreak continues to challenge our world in unimaginable ways. We recognize how disappointing this is to our long-term business partners and thousands of employees, many of whom have been with us in Alaska for decades," said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. "We hope everyone impacted by these cancellations – especially our guests, travel advisor 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. Details about the canceled voyages can be found here.

Princess Cruises is offering two cancellation options. Guests currently booked on these canceled 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 e-mail 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.

Princess will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for canceled cruises that were paid in full, in recognition of the critical role travel advisors play in the cruise line's business and success.

Princess asks guests to please delay in calling the Reservation Call Center due to high call volumes. Guests and their travel advisors will be sent communications on how to manage cancellations, rebook another voyage, or request a refund.

(Corrected) Holland America Line extends temporary pause, cancels Alaska on certain ships for entire season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 April 2020 15 April 2020

Due to continued port closures including Canada’s cruise ship suspension until July 1 and other travel restrictions resulting from global health concerns, Holland America Line has made the decision to extend its pause of global cruise operations and cancel all sailings scheduled to depart through June 30, 2020. This includes Alaska, Canada/New England and Europe cruises.

In Alaska, Holland America Line is also cancelling all Alaska sailings for summer 2020 on Maasdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Volendam and Westerdam. In addition, all Land+Sea Journeys are cancelled. A Land+Sea Journey combines a Holland America Line Alaska cruise with an overland tour to Denali and the Yukon. The McKinley Chalet Resort, McKinley Explorer rail cars and tour motorcoaches will not operate this summer.

The premium line is assessing the future impact of the order by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for cruises through mid-July. Additional deployment details will be shared in the near future.

“These are unprecedented times. Having to delay summer cruising and cancel our land tours for the entire season is the responsible thing to do, yet also very disappointing and a first in our more than 70 years of taking guests to Alaska,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “We know this decision impacts our loyal guests, travel advisor partners, staff members and local businesses who rely on summer tourism for their economies. We look forward to better days and returning to a full summer cruising season in 2021.”

Two options for guests on cancelled cruises

Guests with impacted cruises have two options to choose from and must make their selection by June 1, 2020:

– Option #1: Defer a refund and receive a Future Cruise Credit for 125% of the base cruise fare paid plus an onboard credit of US$250 per person, which can be applied toward any future cruise(s) through Dec. 31, 2021. Guests who haven’t paid in full will receive a Future Cruise Credit for 125% of the amount paid to Holland America Line.

– Option #2: A 100% refund of all monies paid to Holland America Line will be reimbursed. This includes Holland America Line’s Flight Ease air, Cancellation Protection Plan, Holland America Line pre- or post-cruise hotel packages or transfers, prepaid shore excursions and amenities purchased through Holland America Line, and taxes, fees and port expenses.

All bookings automatically will be cancelled through June 30. Guests do not need to call to cancel, however, they should visit hollandamerica.com to indicate their preference for the 125% Future Cruise Credit or 100% refund no later than June 1. If a choice is not made by this deadline, guests will be deemed to have accepted the greater value Option #1. The Future Cruise Credit is valid on any cruise departing through December 31, 2021, and must be applied toward this future cruise by December 31, 2020.

The above options are not applicable to guests booked on a charter sailing. Other booking and cancellation conditions and policies may apply if cruise was not booked through Holland America Line.

Recognizing the vital role travel advisors play in the success of the cruise industry, Holland America Line 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 when guests rebook.