Major lines cancel more cruises
Companies are waiting for federal guidance
Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Seabourn issued additional cancellations on Tuesday, scrapping voyages well into summer.
The announcements from the Carnival-owned lines are the latest in a constant stream of cancellations throughout the first quarter of 2021.
Lines have repeatedly pushed back their restart dates as they wait for additional guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the criteria to be used in the next phase of its Framework for Conditional Sailing order.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises said it would cancel all cruise vacations in the Caribbean, along the California Coast, in Mexico and in the Mediterranean through June 30, impacting departures from Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale and Rome including those on Caribbean Princess, Enchanted Princess and Ruby Princess.
Holland America Line
Holland America has canceled its European cruises departing through June 30. The new cancellations will impact cruises departing in May and June on Nieuw Statendam, Volendam and Westerdam.
Seabourn, Carnival Corp.’s luxury line “is maintaining its optimism for the ultimate restart of travel while, in the meantime, continuing to take a practical approach in extending its current operational pause,” Seabourn said in a statement.
As a result, the brand is cancelling a selection of 2021 European departures pausing operations on its ships Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation until July 3 and Seabourn Quest until Nov. 7.
The cancellations come a couple of weeks after those lines announced they wouldn’t sail in Alaska or Canada due to that country’s decision to ban cruise ships in its waters until 2022.
Princess canceled its seven-day voyages of the Glaciers itineraries between Vancouver, British Columbia and Anchorage (Whittier, Alaska), as well as all Pacific Coastal itineraries that begin or end in Vancouver and Canadian Adventure round-trip sailings from Southampton, England.
Meanwhile, Holland America said it is canceling all cruises that begin or end at a Canadian port. The move affects the following itineraries:
Alaska: Multiple cruises from all
departure points through September aboard Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam and Zuiderdam. (That also includes any Land+Sea Journeys connected with canceled Alaska sailings.)
Pacific Coastal: Two early October cruises aboard Koningsdam and Oosterdam.
Canada/New England: Three Zaandam cruises departing in September.
The Holland America statement added that “at this time, Alaska cruises departing from mid-May and sailing roundtrip from Seattle, Washington, are not being canceled,” and it noted that cruisers who book to sail out of Vancouver will not be permitted to switch to Seattle instead.
Holland America and Princess noted that they were working with the United States and Canadian governments in hopes of salvaging some part of the 2021 cruise season for Alaska and Canada.
Seabourn announced in a statement that it is canceling all 2021 itineraries for Alaska and British Columbia. The moves affects 19 summer cruises on the Seabourn Odyssey.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line has canceled all voyages through May 31, the line announced on Feb. 24.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean Group also announced additional cruise cancellations on all of its cruise lines heading into spring on Tuesday.
“As we work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and government authorities around the
world toward this shared goal, we are extending the suspension of certain sailings for our cruise lines,” the cruise company said in its announcement.
For Royal Caribbean International, sailings on most ships are canceled through May 31. There are, however, some exclusions. The Quantum of the Seas which has been sailing in Singapore, is exempt as is the line’s newest ship, Odyssey of the Seas, set to make its debut in Israel as the first “fully-vaccinated” cruise, is also exempt.
The Royal Caribbean International cancellations also do not pertain to China sailings on Spectrum of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas from April 30 on.
Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises itineraries through May 31 are canceled. Azamara, which Royal Caribbean Group is in the process of selling, has canceled voyages through June 30.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages also announced new cruise cancellations last week.
“We remain excited about our future and know that cruise travel will return soon. As we await further engagement from the CDC on the industry restart, we have extended our pause in operations through June 30,” Michelle Estevam, spokesperson for Virgin, said in a statement Tuesday.
Virgin is among a long list of lines that have, once again, pushed back their restart date in U.S. waters as the coronavirus pandemic and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s plan for the industry’s safe relaunch evolve.
Disney Cruise Line
Last week, Disney Cruise Line announced Wednesday that they have canceled all sailings through May. Disney also canceled some cruises scheduled for August and could cancel others.
“As we continue to refine our protocols and await further technical guidance from the CDC, we are cancelling all sailings departing through May 2021,” Disney said in a statement.
Sailings on the Disney Magic have been canceled through Aug. 10 due to the “likelihood of international borders remaining closed.”
And because of the Canadian cruise ban, Disney is evaluating options for its Alaskan itineraries on the Disney Wonder.
Norwegian, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., parent to Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, has canceled sailings until June.
“We have extended our voluntary suspension of global cruise voyages across our three brands as we continue to work through our return to service plan to meet the requirements of the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” Andrea DeMarco, senior vice president of investor relations for Norwegian, said in a statement shared with USA TODAY in February.
Sailings meant to embark on Norwegian, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas are canceled through May 31.
Guests who are booked on canceled voyages on the three lines are asked to contact their travel adviser or the cruise line for more information.