Cruise lines offer greater flexibility

A NUMBER of cruise lines have significantly altered their cancellation policies in the wake of ongoing COVID-19 anxiety, offering guests more flexibility when rescheduling cruise trips.

Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) has introduced its Cruise With Confidence policy, meaning guests booked on RCI or any of its brands, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara or Silversea Cruises, can cancel up to 48 hours prior to any cruise departure.

Clients will receive full credits, usable on any sailing departing in 2020 or 2021, & applies to cruises leaving on or before 31 Jul.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) matched RCL’s policy, launching its Peace of Mind offer & giving guests who book through to 30 Sep the option of cancelling up to 48 hours prior to departure, receiving full cruise credits for sailings until 31 Dec, 2022.

The offer also applies to those already booked on voyages beginning 10 Mar.

NCLH brand Regent Seven Seas Cruises has also released its Regent Reassurance policy, allowing clients to cancel sailings up to 30 days prior to departure, and receive full cruise credits.

Regent Reassurance applies to all bookings made by 30 Apr, for all sailings departing between 03 Apr and 01 Nov.

NCL’s Oceania Cruises brand has also launched its Traveller’s Assurance program, offering 48hour cancellations for bookings made by 30 Apr, leaving between 10 Mar and 30 Sep.

Meanwhile, Carnival’s Princess Cruises and Holland America Line (HAL) brands have adjusted their cancellation policies for cruises departing through to 31 May.

Princess guests booked on sailings leaving 03 Apr or earlier can cancel within 72 hours of departure, while departure dates between 04 Apr and 31 May can cancel up until 31 Mar, with all changes receiving cruise credits.

HAL is also offering 72-hour cancellations for departures by 31 Mar, offering full cruise credits.