Coronavirus: Princess extends cruise cancellations; lines expand cancellations, rebookings

The COVID-19 pandemic is doing increasing damage to the cruise industry.

Princess Cruises announced Wednesday that it is extending its pause in global ship operations, resulting in the cancellation of select cruises through the end of the 2020 summer season.

Also Wednesday, Royal Caribbean Cruises announced an extension of its “Cruise with Confidence” cancellation policy through April 2022, with expanded rebooking options.

On Tuesday, Carnival Cruise Line said it is canceling Alaska cruises through the summer but that eight ships would resume North American service on Aug. 1, a month later than the timeline announced in mid-April.

The industry has been shut down since mid-March, with hundreds of cruise ship passengers and crew members contracting coronavirus as the pandemic swept the globe. Some passengers, stranded far from home, faced logistical difficulties returning as travel options dwindled. Crew members from some vessels, such as the Costa Atlantica, are just now making their way home. 

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In a press release, Princess said today’s decision is related to reduced flight availability, the closure of cruise ports around the world and other international travel issues. 

“As the world is still preparing to resume travel, it is with much disappointment that we announce an extension of our pause of global ship operations and the cancellation of cruise vacations for our loyal guests,” Princess Cruises president Jan Swartz said in a statement. She expressed sadness over the decision’s affect on employees, business partners and destination communities.