Carnival Corporation confirmed on Wednesday (24 February) a number of its brands’ itineraries would be impacted by the order, which runs until 28 February 2022, notably summer 2021 itineraries taking in much of the Pacific coast including Alaska, British Columbia and New England.
Carnival Cruise Line, meanwhile, has extended its pause in operations departing US ports until the end of May. President Christine Duffy said the line would continue to work on plans to resume operations, and highlighted encouraging early signs of increased Covid vaccination.
Seabourn confirmed on Wednesday it had cancelled a total of 19 summer 2021 voyages onboard Seabourn Odyssey travelling between Vancouver and Juneau, Alaska, including one longer Pacific coast voyage scheduled for the end of the season.
Guests booked on impacted cruises will be automatically rebooked to a comparable 2022 voyage, said Seabourn, after which they will be able to opt for an alternative option, including using any monies paid so far towards a different holiday or opting for a full refund.
HAL has extended its pause in cruise operations to all 2021 sailings departing from, or concluding at, Canadian ports, including "several" Alaska voyages, three Canada and New England cruises, and two Pacific coastal itineraries, as well as all Land+Sea Journeys. All of HAL’s 2022 Alaska and and Canada/New England cruises are due to operate as scheduled.
President Gus Antorcha said while the line remained optimistic of a resumption of cruising in north America and around the world, the limitations enforced by the Canadian government order had necessitated the cancellation of these select sailings.
Guests will be automatically rebooked onto a like 2022 cruise, after which they will have several options to rebook onto different cruises, take advantage of future cruise credit offers, or request a full refund, although this option will only remain open until 31 March 2021.
‘Proud heritage’
Finally, Princess Cruises has cancelled its seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers itinerary, sailing between Vancouver and Anchorage, Alaska, all Pacific coastal voyages starting or ending in Vancouver, and its Canadian Adventure roundtrip due to sail from Southampton.
The line said it was in discussion with US and Canadian government officials in an attempt to “preserve a portion of the Alaska, Canada and New England 2021 cruise season”, adding it was committed to operating several land packages this summer featuring the Kenai Princess Wilderness lodge, McKinley Chalet Resort in Denali and Westmark Fairbanks Hotel.
President Jan Swartz said: “Princess Cruises has sailed to Alaska for more than 50 years and the incredible Last Frontier is part of our proud heritage. We understand how much of Alaska is dependent on the cruise economy. We are going to do all we can to help our business partners and the communities of Alaska.”
Like Seabourn and HAL, Princess will rebook guests onto like or equivalent 2022 cruises or cruise tours, after which time they will be able to choose from a range of options, including a full refund.
