SANTA CLARITA, Calif.,
March 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In proactive response to the
unpredictable circumstances evolving from the global spread of
COVID-19 and in an abundance of caution, Princess
Cruises announced that it will voluntarily pause
global operations of its 18 cruise ships for two months
(60 days), impacting voyages departing March 12 to May 10.
"Princess Cruises is a global vacation company that serves more
than 50,000 guests daily from 70 countries as part of our
diverse business, and it is widely known
that we have been managing the implications
of COVID-19 on two continents," said Jan Swartz, president of Princess
Cruises. "By taking this bold
action of voluntarily pausing the operations of our
ships, it is our intention to reassure our loyal guests, team
members and global stakeholders of our commitment to the health,
safety and well-being of all who sail with us, as well as those who
do business with us, and the countries and communities we visit
around the world," added Swartz.
Those currently onboard a cruise that will end in the
next five days will continue to sail as expected through
the end of the itinerary so that onward travel
arrangements are not disrupted. Current voyages that are
underway and extend beyond March 17 will be ended at the
most convenient location for
guests, factoring in operational
requirements. Princess will do
everything possible to return each guest home with the
greatest amount of care possible. During this
time, our operations and medical teams across
the fleet will remain vigilant in their care and service for guests
and crew onboard.
For those who are impacted by this business
decision, Princess is offering guests the opportunity
to transfer 100% of the money paid for
their cancelled cruise to a future cruise
of their choice. To add a bonus incentive
for guests to accept this offer, the company will
add an additional generous future cruise
credit benefit which can be applied to the cruise fare or
onboard expenses. In addition, Princess will honor this
offer for those guests who had made final payment and
cancelled their booking on or after February
4, 2020. The future cruise credit can be used
on any voyage departing through May 1, 2022.
Princess 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, in recognition of the critical
role they play in the cruise line's business
and success.
If the future cruise credit option does not
work for some guests, they will be able to complete
an electronic form on Princess.com to request a cash
refund. Princess asks guests not to call the Reservation Call
Center due to the possibility of high call volumes
and the potential of long on-hold wait times due to
this unprecedented action. Guests and their travel advisors
will be sent communications on how to manage cancellations and
desired compensation. Information and instructions for
requesting a refund are available online at
Princess.com
In a video posted on YouTube, Jan
Swartz shares that "while this is a difficult business
decision, we firmly believe it is the right one and is in alignment
with our company's core values. Rest assured the long-serving and
dedicated professionals at our company will make best use of this
time to prepare Princess Cruises' fleet of cruise ships for a
successful return to operation to serve our guests by delivering an
exceptional vacation experience."
Loyal guests, employees, travel advisor partners and
business partners around the world have asked what they can do
support Princess Cruises and its more than 35,000 team
members in these challenging times. The answer is simple
– book a cruise with Princess and bring your family and
friends along. The company offers over 180
itineraries to popular and
exotic destinations around the globe.
Princess Cruises plans to be back in
operation beginning with cruises departing May 11,
2020.
About Princess Cruises
One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is the
fastest growing international premium cruise line and tour company
operating a fleet of 18 modern cruise ships, carrying two
million guests each year to 380 destinations around the globe,
including the Caribbean,
Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican
Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New
Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia,
Canada/New England, Antarctica and World Cruises. A team of
professional destination experts have curated 170 itineraries,
ranging in length from three to 111 days and Princess Cruises is
continuously recognized as "Best Cruise Line for Itineraries."
In 2017 Princess Cruises, with parent company Carnival
Corporation, introduced MedallionClass Vacations enabled
by the OceanMedallion, the vacation industry's most advanced
wearable device, provided free to each guest sailing on
a MedallionClass ship. The award-winning innovation
offers the fastest way to a hassle-free, personalized vacation
giving guests more time to do the things they love
most. MedallionClass Vacations will be activated on
five ships by the end of 2019. An activation plan will continue
across the global fleet in 2020 and beyond.
Princess Cruises continues its multi-year, "Come Back New
Promise" – a $450 million-dollar
product innovation and cruise ship renovation campaign that will
continue to enhance the line's onboard guest experience. These
enhancements result in more moments of awe, lifetime memories and
meaningful stories for guests to share from their cruise vacation.
The product innovations include partnerships with award-winning
Chef Curtis Stone; engaging
entertainment inspired shows with Broadway-legend Stephen Schwartz; immersive activities for the
whole family from Discovery and Animal Planet that include
exclusive shore excursions to onboard activities; the ultimate
sleep at sea with the award-winning Princess Luxury Bed and
more.
Two new Royal-class ships are currently under construction -
Enchanted Princess, scheduled for delivery in June 2020, followed by Discovery Princess in
November 2021. Princess previously
announced that two new (LNG) ships which will be the largest ships
in the Princess fleet, accommodating approximately 4,300 guests are
planned for delivery in 2023 and 2025. Princess now has four
ships arriving over the next five years between 2020 and 2025. The
company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:
CCL; NYSE:CUK).
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SOURCE Princess Cruises