Coronavirus and DCL Megathread - Suspension of Departures for the fleet until early November. Booking only available from early December.

Princess cruises has suspended global ship operations for 60 days.

https://www.princess.com/news/notices_and_advisories/notices/global-ship-operations-pause.html
QUOTE


Voluntary 60 Day Pause of Global Ship Operations
March 12, 2020 5:40 AM PT / 8:40 AM ET
Princess Cruises Announces a Voluntary and Temporary Pause of its Global Ship Operations for 60 Days
Cruise Line Remains Committed to the Health, Safety and Well-Being of Guests, Team Members and Communities Visited Globally

SANTA CLARITA, Calif (March 12, 2020) 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.

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.

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.

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.
 
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Yes. From what I understand either full refund or, if you prefer, a voucher for 125% of your cruise cost toward a future cruise.
Oh ok...I did see that 125% floating around the thread but was unsure of the cruise line. I wouldn't be surprised if the May 1st date is extended and DCL follows suit. I guess if DCL cancels my upcoming cruise then I can stop stressing about whether or not to go etc. They made the decision for me. As far as booking another cruise or taking a full refund...:worried:
 
Princess cruises has suspended global ship operations for 60 days.

https://www.princess.com/news/notices_and_advisories/notices/global-ship-operations-pause.html
QUOTE


Voluntary 60 Day Pause of Global Ship Operations
March 12, 2020 5:40 AM PT / 8:40 AM ET
Princess Cruises Announces a Voluntary and Temporary Pause of its Global Ship Operations for 60 Days
Cruise Line Remains Committed to the Health, Safety and Well-Being of Guests, Team Members and Communities Visited Globally

SANTA CLARITA, Calif (March 12, 2020) 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.

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.

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.

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.
this should be adopted by all cruise lines.
 
Oh ok...I did see that 125% floating around the thread but was unsure of the cruise line. I wouldn't be surprised if the May 1st date is extended and DCL follows suit. I guess if DCL cancels my upcoming cruise then I can stop stressing about whether or not to go etc. They made the decision for me. As far as booking another cruise or taking a full refund...:worried:
I am stressing about this too! I suspect DCL will make an announcement soon. I am giving it a couple more hours.
 
I've just read through some of this thread, as was wondering what the situation may be for us in the Summer on the Magic and have been absolutely shocked at the level of denial from some posters.

It isn't 'just the flu', for some people, as we are seeing, it is life itself. I have a friend in Italy at the moment, who is on total lock down, she has to have a pass to go out during the day, the schools, cafes, workplaces are mostly shut down. Their hospitals are overflowing and they are getting up to 1,000 new cases a day. My friend was absolutely distraught at what is happening in her country.

We are in the UK and things are moving a little slower here, but we are on the same trajectory as Italy, I see that the USA is starting to take drastic measures too.

Please, don't play down what is happening, this is extremely serious and personally, although our cruise out of Copenhagen on the Magic is looked forward to, I think Disney would be irresponsible to bring the Magic over to Europe in May.
 
I've just read through some of this thread, as was wondering what the situation may be for us in the Summer on the Magic and have been absolutely shocked at the level of denial from some posters.

It isn't 'just the flu', for some people, as we are seeing, it is life itself. I have a friend in Italy at the moment, who is on total lock down, she has to have a pass to go out during the day, the schools, cafes, workplaces are mostly shut down. Their hospitals are overflowing and they are getting up to 1,000 new cases a day. My friend was absolutely distraught at what is happening in her country.

We are in the UK and things are moving a little slower here, but we are on the same trajectory as Italy, I see that the USA is starting to take drastic measures too.

Please, don't play down what is happening, this is extremely serious and personally, although our cruise out of Copenhagen on the Magic is looked forward to, I think Disney would be irresponsible to bring the Magic over to Europe in May.
Agree 100%. I don’t understand how anyone could consider travel to Europe right now. I’m also in the UK - maybe we are being provided with more transparent information?
 
I think it's very serious and something needs to happen to put a stop to the spreading. I think people should have to all go on a quarantine, close all travel, all the borders no one go outside. It seems like that will be the only way to stop the spread of this since it can't survive on a surface for more than two weeks
 
Carnival just suspended for 2 months
Currently not all of Carnival, just their Princess Cruise Line division (I've not seen anything that says that all of Carnival is suspending service and all the articles just talk about Princess and their 18 ship fleet). They have not stated what their other divisions are doing.

Psy
 
I am stressing about this too! I suspect DCL will make an announcement soon. I am giving it a couple more hours.
Yup....it is sadly only a matter of time now. I want to book another cruise but I don't know when this thing will get better- I was thinking about a cruise in August but nobody knows what we are in store for in the coming months. This thing gets crazier by the day. Disney needs to extend the re-booking window for all cruisers with current reservations. 12 months is just not practical.
 
Oh ok...I did see that 125% floating around the thread but was unsure of the cruise line. I wouldn't be surprised if the May 1st date is extended and DCL follows suit. I guess if DCL cancels my upcoming cruise then I can stop stressing about whether or not to go etc. They made the decision for me. As far as booking another cruise or taking a full refund...:worried:
Us too....we're just going to "wait and see" for the moment.
 
Dang! This is what Princess is offering for cancellations. They are serious about keeping their customers! A refund PLUS 100% cruise credit for a future cruise? Or a 225% future cruise credit?!

Are you seeing this, DCL???
While I would love DCL to offer something similar, they aren't really comparable to Princess. Princess is being sued for letting passengers board when they knew about the illness. They held passengers in quarantine and weren't successful in isolating the virus as more and more people became ill.
 
Princess have a lot of PR work to do, hence the generous offer, they are at risk of losing their client base elsewhere. It is a damage limitation exercise and I don't blame them!
 
If Disney is going to start cancelling cruises, the sooner they announce, the better.

We’re leaving for Cancun in less than two days and are currently booked for the 3/20 Dream cruise to end our vacation. I’d much rather deal with rebooking that part of our vacation now instead of while I’m on vacation in another country.
 
If Disney is going to start cancelling cruises, the sooner they announce, the better.

We’re leaving for Cancun in less than two days and are currently booked for the 3/20 Dream cruise to end our vacation. I’d much rather deal with rebooking that part of our vacation now instead of while I’m on vacation in another country.

I know, they need to just rip the band aide off.
 
I don't see other cruise lines cancelling unless another ship has a passenger or crew member that tests positive
 

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