Princess Cruises cancels sailings until July

Princess Cruises is cancelling all voyages scheduled to depart up to and including June 30, 2020.

The cruise line had previously announced a voluntary pause for two months, impacting voyages departing March 12 to May 10, 2020.  

The cruiseline has also announced modifications to the Alaska season, which includes the cancellation of all Princess Alaska Gulf cruises and cruisetours.

The five wilderness lodges, trains and buses operated by Princess in Alaska will not open this summer. The line will continue its roundtrip sailings from Seattle to Alaska on Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess.  

Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises, said: "This global outbreak continues to challenge our world in unimaginable ways. We recognise 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.

"We hope everyone impacted by these cancellations – especially our guests, travel agent 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, 2020. Details about the cancelled voyages can be found here.

Princess Cruises is offering two cancellation options. Guests currently booked on these cancelled 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 email 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 agent commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full, in recognition of the critical role travel agents play in the cruise line’s business and success.

The most up-to-date information and instructions for booked guests affected by these cancellations can be found on the Princess Cruises website.