Cruise lines adapt travel restrictions as coronavirus spreads: See latest rules, waivers
Many cruise lines have canceled or altered scheduled sailings to China and in and around Asia as coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) continues to spread around the world.
Cruise lines, working with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), have swiftly reacted to the outbreak and started implementing their own precautions by canceling sailings, rerouting others, restricting passenger and crew boarding, and boosting screening procedures for passengers boarding if they have been through countries or regions impacted by the rapidly spreading virus.
Some lines, such as Viking and Avalon Waterways, have begun to allow customers to rebook cruises for up to two years after their planned sailing without incurring financial penalties. Norwegian is also making temporary changes to its policies, allowing passengers to rebook travel on other cruises up to June 30 and will not require final payment until 90 days before sailing.
Current travel advisories
The U.S. State Department has issued a level 3 warning (its second highest warning advising all but essential travel) for Italy and South Korea, though it issued a separate level 4 (do not travel) warning for Daegu, the epicenter of the Korean outbreak. Japan and Hong Kong are currently at level 2 (exercised increased caution). China, the epicenter of the outbreak, remains at a level 4.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued its most severe warning (level 3, avoid non-essential travel) for Italy, South Korea and level 2 (practice enhanced precautions) for Japan. It has downgraded Hong Kong to its lowest threat level (1, practice usual precautions). China remains at level 3.
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Industry-wide travel restrictions
On Wednesday, all oceangoing member cruise lines of CLIA agreed to adopt additional screening measures to combat COVID-19.
The biggest difference? The new guidelines now include countries impacted after the trade group published its original guidelines on Feb. 7. In addition to China, Hong Kong and Macao, the list now includes South Korea, Iran and areas of Italy. They also mandates screenings for anyone who’s been to an affected region within the past 14 days.
As a result of these changes, which became effective Monday, CLIA members are to:
- Deny boarding to all persons who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in South Korea, Iran, China, including Hong Kong and Macau, and any municipality in Italy subject to lockdown (quarantine) measures by the Italian Government, as designated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within 14 days prior to embarkation.
- Conduct illness screening for all persons who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in any destinations listed on the U.S. CDC “Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel” page within 14 days before embarkation. Illness screening includes symptom history checks for fever, cough and difficulty breathing in the 14 days before embarkation and taking of temperature.
- Deny boarding to all persons who, within 14 days prior to embarkation, have had contact with, or helped care for, anyone suspected or diagnosed as having COVID-19, or who are currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to COVID-19.
- Conduct pre-boarding screening necessary to effectuate these prevention measures. Enhanced screening and initial medical support are to be provided, as needed, to any persons exhibiting symptoms of suspected COVID-19.
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Travel waivers, cancellations and itinerary updates by cruise line
Read on to see which routes are being changed and which additional travel restrictions precautions individual cruise lines are imposing to combat the spread of coronavirus, as well as a list of companies allowing passengers to cancel or change their travel plans without paying a financial penalty.
If no travel restriction is listed for a given cruise line, that means it has not implemented restrictions beyond CLIA’s updated guidelines from March 2.
AIDA
Itinerary changes: AIDA has canceled its entire Asia cruise season for ships AIDAbella and AIDAvita.
APT
Itinerary changes: APT’s Paul Melinis, managing director for the U.K. and Europe, said, “No APT tours and river cruises pass through Wuhan, with our China itineraries starting at the end of March. In the meantime we are monitoring the situation closely through government travel advisories, the World Health Organization and our contacts within China. The safety of our guests and staff is always our top priority. We expect to continue operating all our river cruise and tours to China as planned.”
Aurora Expeditions
Travel restrictions:Aurora Expeditions does not have any cruises in Asia but its ship Greg Mortimer is operating its maiden season in Antarctica, so the company has adopted guidelines set out by CLIA and IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators). Since Feb. 13, the cruise line has been administering pre-embarkation health evaluations of all passengers and crew. with anyone registering a body temperature above normal not be permitted to board.
Avalon Waterways
Travel Restrictions: Guests who have been to any country covered under the CLIA guidelines within the 21 days prior to the start of their vacation will not be allowed to travel on any Globus tour.
Waiver and cancellation policy: Avalon is temporarily waiving all cancellation penalties until up to 30 days prior to departure, until further notice. Travelers with existing bookings and new bookings on Avalon Waterways can be moved to any related brand (Globus, Cosmos or Monograms) destination or itinerary in 2020 or 2021 without penalty, prior to final payment.
Azamara
Travel restrictions: In addition to following the new CLIA restrictions, Azamara will:
- Conduct mandatory specialized health screenings performed on any passenger who has traveled from, to or through Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Italy (all regions other than Lombardy and Veneto) in the past 15 days, and those who are uncertain about contact with individuals who have traveled from, to or through these regions in the past 15 days
- Deny boarding to passengers presenting with fever or low blood oxygen levels in the specialized health screenings
- Provide a full refund to any guests that are denied boarding due to these restrictions
Itinerary changes: None as of March 3
Carnival Cruise Line
Itinerary changes:
- All South Pacific cruises on Carnival Splendor and Carnival Spirit that were scheduled to visit New Caledonia’s Lifou, Mare or Isle of Pines ports have been diverted to other ports in Vanuatu.
- Carnival is also reassessing stops in Grand Cayman and Jamaica following those countries’ recent refusal to allow two ships – Horizon and Freedom – to dock there.
Celebrity Cruises
Travel restrictions: In addition to complying with the CLIA restrictions, the cruise line will deny boarding to:
- Passengers presenting with fever or low blood oxygen levels during their specialized health screenings
- Passengers who report feeling unwell or demonstrate any flu-like symptoms
In addition, specialized health screenings will be mandatory for:
- Anyone who has been to Japan, Singapore, Thailand and all regions of Italy other than Lombardy and Veneto in the past 15 days
- Anyone uncertain about contact with individuals who visited a country on either the denied-boarding or special-screening list in the past 15 days
All guests that are denied boarding due to these restrictions will receive full refunds.
Itinerary changes:
Celebrity Millennium: The ship’s entire 2020 season in Asia has been canceled, including cruises departing March 14 and 28, April 10 and 21 and May 10.
The ship will reposition to the U.S. West Coast earlier than originally planned and offer a series of three, four and five-night Pacific Coastal sailings. From March to mid-April, the ship will be hosting a number of “Cruising for Heroes” sailings in support of California’s firefighters, first responders and veterans. Later in April, the ship will sail roundtrip from Seattle prior to the start of its 2020 Alaska season from Vancouver.
All booked passengers on Celebrity Millennium will receive a refund, plus a 25% future cruise credit, as well as refunds of any excursions and onboard packages. Those with air travel and hotel booked through Flights by Celebrity will be refunded automatically; people with independent air arrangements may receive up to $300 per person reimbursement for any airline flight change fees incurred.
Celebrity Constellation:
- The March 2 cruise is now a roundtrip sailing from Dubai and will skip Phuket, replacing it with a day at sea.
- The March 17 sailing will now embark in Dubai instead of Singapore, and Phuket will also be replaced with a sea day, plus port times extended in Cochin, Goa and Mumbai. Passengers on these two March cruises will receive an onboard credit equal to the rate of one cruise day.
For passengers forced to change travel plans to embark or disembark in Dubai, flights or hotel booked through Flights by Celebrity will be re-accommodated, and the line will assist those who booked flights independently, with a reimbursement of up to $500 per person for any flight change fees incurred. Shore excursions booked through Celebrity for Singapore and Phuket will also be refunded.
Celestyal Cruises
Travel restrictions: In addition to the CLIA guidelines, Celestyal passengers who have been to China (including Macao, and Hong Kong), Japan, Singapore or Thailand within 30 days from their embarkation will not be allowed to board the line’s Three Continents Cruise due to restrictions imposed by the Israeli public health authorities. Passengers should contact their original booking agent for alternative options.
Waivers and cancellation policy updates:
- Guests from China, Hong Kong and Macau: These passengers will receive a full refund without penalty for departures scheduled through April 27. Those guests may rebook any other 2020 or 2021 sailing irrespective of itinerary without penalty based upon a ‘like for like’ stateroom category and fare paid basis.
- Guests from Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan: Passengers due to cruise within the next four weeks may transfer to a future 2020 cruise departure on any itinerary on a ‘like for like’ stateroom category and fare paid basis, irrespective of pricing seasonality (fare/price difference waived). This strictly applies to departures within the next four weeks only from the select markets referenced above (all sailings up to and including March 28, 2020).
- All impacted passengers: As a gesture of goodwill for the inconvenience, the line is offering following onboard credit value per stateroom irrespective of alternate 2020 sailing date:
➢ 3 Night Sailing – Iconic Aegean = 30 Euro per stateroom
➢ 4 Night Sailing – Iconic Aegean = 50 Euro per stateroom
➢ All 7 Night Sailings = 100 Euro per stateroom
Costa Cruises
Travel restrictions: In addition to following the expanded CLIA rules, Costa will deny boarding to:
- Anyone who has been in the following countries or regions in the past 14 days: Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam
- Anyone that has a temperature of 100.4℉ (37.8℃), a cough or difficulty breathing at the time of their pre-embarkation health screening
Costa is contacting passengers who are resident in these cities directly or through travel agencies to let them know and inform them about the full refund procedures.
Itinerary changes: The line has also canceled all shore excursions to the Piemonte, Lombardy and Veneto regions of northern Italy and any other city that may be added to the list published by the Italian Ministry of Health.
Cruise Maritime Voyages
Travel restrictions: In addition to the CLIA guidelines, the company has extended the ban on passengers who have been in the restricted countries or regions from 14 to 30 days/
Cruise Maritime Voyages has also implemented pre-boarding screening of all passengers, crew and visitors during port calls in Singapore, India and New Zealand.
Itinerary changes: The line has now canceled further Far East Asia calls, including the replaced calls, plus Cambodia and Papua New Guinea. In a statement, the line said that that its Columbus ship would sail towards South-East Asia via northern Australia to Indonesia, Borneo in Malaysia and on to Vietnam.
Crystal Cruises
Travel restrictions: In addition to complying with the enhanced CLIA guidelines, the line said that it will deny boarding to anyone with a temperature of 100.4℉ (38℃) or higher and/or shows signs of respiratory issues. If anyone is determined unwell to travel as a result of these restrictions, they will receive a full refund of their cruise fare, if they don’t have insurance.
Furthermore, the line has canceled nonessential day visits to the ships when they are in port.
Crystal Cruises also noted that the following countries have closed their borders to passengers from several nations affected by coronavirus:
- India: No arrival visas for China passports
- Israel: No arrival for those who have traveled from, visited or transited via Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, China, including Hong Kong and/or Macau within 14 days before embarkation.
- Seychelles: No arrival for those who have traveled from, visited or transited via Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, China, including Hong Kong and/or Macau within 14 days before embarkation.
Itinerary changes:
Crystal Symphony: The following March and April sailings that were scheduled to sail from Singapore are canceled:
- March 16: Roundtrip Singapore
- March 16: Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- March 31: Roundtrip Singapore
- March 31: Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- April 24: Kuala Lumpur To Rome
All passengers on these cancelled sailings will receive a 100% refund of the cruise fare paid along with $500 per person for air consideration. Guests will also receive a Future Cruise Credit of 25% of the base cruise fare paid per segment as a gesture of goodwill. The FCC can be used on any of Crystal’s experiences including Ocean, River, Yacht and Expedition for voyages commencing on or before Dec. 31, 2021. Port charges will be refunded to the original form of payment made.
Crystal Serenity: The following Asia sailings are canceled:
- March 3: Departing Sydney
- March 17: Departing Bali
- March 28: Departing Colombo, Sri Lanka
Cunard Line
Travel restrictions: On top of complying with the new CLIA guidelines, Cunard will conduct enhanced pre-embarkation screenings on passengers who have been to the following countries within 14 days of embarkation:
- Vietnam
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Japan
In addition, passengers should be aware of the following:
- Although they may have passed enhanced health screenings, they may still be subject to active surveillance while on board and may be refused entry to port authorities.
- Guests should be prepared to disclose documentation as evidence of their travel history.
- Failure to disclose travel to affected regions is considered grounds for denial of boarding and possible legal action.
- Passengers booked on upcoming sailings who have yet to travel may want to change their flights if they are due to transit through any of those countries or ones on the CLIA list within 14 days of embarkation.
Itinerary changes:
Queen Elizabeth:
- The ship’s Asia season, scheduled to run from March 8 through May 15 has been canceled and replaced with an extended season in Australia.
- The new season will comprise two six-night Tasmania voyages, two 11-night New Zealand voyages and an inaugural 27-night full circumnavigation of Australia.
- Queen Elizabeth will then sail a 25-night Transpacific crossing from Sydney to Vancouver via New Caledonia, Hawaii, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- The ship’s Alaska cruises are unchanged, and the ship will resume its Asia program in September 2020 as already published.
- Queen Elizabeth’s Asia program will. resume in September.
Waiver and cancellation policy: “For those who have booked flights or additional packages directly through Cunard, all aspects will be refunded. If guests booked flights or additional packages via a travel agent or third-party tour operator, they should contact them directly. If any arrangements have been booked independently, guests should contact their travel insurance provider for details of how to submit a claim,” the line said.
Dream Cruises
Travel restrictions: Dream Cruises is exercising CLIA-style restrictions on Explorer Dream, which is based in Australia and New Zealand for the summer season.
Itinerary changes: It is not yet clear whether Explorer Dream will return to Asia in March, but the line recently announced the ship will return to Australia for the October 2020 to February 2021 cruise season.
Waiver and cancellation policy: Dream Cruises will offer affected passengers who are unable to sail on Explorer Dream’s March 8 cruise will receive full refunds of their paid cruise fare, port charges and shore excursions.
Emerald Waterways
Travel restrictions: While it is not listed as a member of CLIA, Emerald Waterways is complying with the group’s guidelines.
Itinerary Changes: Currently, all itineraries, including those to Southeast Asia, are operating as scheduled.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Travel restrictions: In addition to complying with the CLIA guidelines, the British cruise line is conducting temperature checks at all turn-around ports. In a FAQ published to its website, the company said, “If a guest is displaying symptoms at this stage, they will be seen by our on-board Doctor who will assess their symptoms and decide whether the guest is fit to continue to travel.”
During the last week of February, the cruise line said that health officials in the Dominican Republic had turned away one of its ships, the Braemar, after its captain reported that four Filipinos, two British citizens and two U.S. citizens were under medical observation for symptoms such as fever, coughing, or breathing difficulty. They have all since recovered.
“It is our opinion that this is an overreaction by the Dominican Republic,” Fred. Olsen said in a written statement.
Holland America Line
Travel restrictions: In addition to following the CLIA guidelines, Holland America is also denying boarding travelers who have been in any location (including transit through airports) that were subject to lockdown at time of embarkation.
The following rules apply once a sailing is underway:
- Holland America says staff will scan guest passports to determine whether passengers have transited through any prohibited areas. If they discover that any passenger has not disclosed travel through prohibited areas, that person will be forced to disembark at the next available port and may also face legal consequences.
- Any guest or crew member showing symptoms of any respiratory illness while onboard will be subject to screening for coronavirus as well as potential quarantine and disembarkation.
Itinerary changes: MS Westerdam’s March 14 and 28, and April 11 and 25 cruises, all of which were scheduled to depart from Yokohama, have also been canceled. New itineraries will be announced soon for Westerdam, which gained international attention when it was denied disembarkation by Japan, Thailand and Guam before being allowed to do so in Cambodia.
Waiver and cancellation policy: All passengers who were scheduled on the sailings listed above will receive a full refund, a 25 to 50% future cruise credit (depending on the departure date) and reimbursement of cancellation fees.
Hurtigruten
Travel restrictions: The Norwegian company says it is following guidelines and recommendations from the World Health Association), the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators and CLIA.
Any guest or crew member showing symptoms of any respiratory illness after embarkation will be subject to screening for coronavirus and depending on their test results, potential quarantine and disembarkation.
Lindblad Expeditions
Travel restrictions: While it is not listed as a member of CLIA, Lindblad is following that group’s guidelines.
Marella Cruises
Travel restrictions: The cruise line will deny boarding to anyone answers yes or is uncertain about any of the following questions on their pre-embarkation health screening:
- Have you or any of your fellow travelers traveled from, visited or transited via airports in any of the following locations within 30 days of embarkation or did you have close contact with persons to whom this does apply? China (including Hong Kong and Macao), South Korea, Iran, Italy within 30 days before embarkation?
- Did you or any of your fellow travelers have close contact to persons who have been placed on a leave of absence or issued a quarantine order?
- Have you or any of your fellow travelers experienced any flu like symptoms (chills, cough, runny nose, or shortness of breath) in the past 48 hours?
- Have you or any of your fellow travelers experienced diarrhea or vomiting in the past 48 hours?
- Have you or any of your fellow travelers experienced any fever above 100.4℉ (38.5℃) in the past 48 hours?
MSC Cruises
Travel restrictions: In addition to complying with the expanded CLIA restrictions, MSC Cruises will deny boarding to guests joining MSC Bellissima and MSC Lirica in Dubai if they have been in Japan or Singapore. However, the restriction does not apply if they were traveling from unaffected areas and were only in the sterile areas of relevant Singapore, Japan and South Korea airports.
Guests and crew members who develop a fever or other symptoms after embarkation will be isolated in their cabins, along with their traveling companions and anyone who had contact with them.
Itinerary changes: The itinerary for the Grand Voyage, scheduled to run from March 21 to April 18 aboard MSC Bellissima, has been updated. The line has dropped calls to Shenzhen, mainland China; Hong Kong; and Keelung, Taiwan. The ship will instead call at Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand; Phu My/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; as well as spend an extra day in Kobe, Japan. The ship will call at Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates, instead of Khor Fakkan, UAE, before sailing to Asia.
Waiver and cancellation policy: MSC has tweaked its cancellation policy to allow any cruiser who is booked on a Mediterranean cruise in March and April 2020 to postpone their cruise or switch to a different sailing operating in a different region and sailing within the next 12 months.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Travel restrictions: The CLIA member is abiding by that group’s guidelines. It will also notes that:
- Anyone who develops a fever of over 100.4℉ (38℃) or displays other respiratory illness symptoms while on board may be subject to possible quarantine and disembarkation.
- Some countries have enacted additional restrictions on who may not enter their ports and disembark, especially Chinese passport holders. The cruise line will notify impacted guests prior to embarkation.
Itinerary changes: The cruise line has canceled all of Norwegian Spirit’s Asia sailings through Dec. 7. The ship is being redeployed to Athens, where it will begin 7-day European cruises beginning April 19. Destinations include Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu, Greece; Kusadasi and Istanbul, Turkey; Ashdod and Haifa, Israel; Limassol, Cyprus as well as two new ports of call for the brand, Patmos and Volos, Greece.
Waiver and cancellation policy: Norwegian has made a number of temporary changes to existing policies, which it sent out to its travel agent partners with the following note: “We understand that your clients may be hesitant to plan or confirm their vacation, but we encourage them to get out there and experience the world aboard the best vessels at sea.”
Noteworthy changes:
- Final payment for all June and July voyages will not be due until 90 days prior to sailing.
- Up until 60 days prior to sailing, the company will allow a transfer of the reservation to any other cruise that departs on or before June 30. The transfer voyage must be of equal or greater value, prevailing rates will apply, and penalties will be waived.
- If a guest chooses not to sail, the name change restriction will be waived up to 45 days prior to sailing. Name changes will be permitted for the cruise reservation only and excludes flight arrangements through Norwegian Cruise Line and/or pre-purchased travel protection.
- Guests with non-ticketed Norwegian Cruise Line air may make name changes.
- Guests with ticketed air may make name changes but will incur a penalty and possibly air change fee, if either is assessed by the airlines.
Oceania Cruises
Travel restrictions: Oceania is extending the CLIA restrictions, forbidding anyone who has been in an affected country to board one of its ships for 30 days. In addition, any passenger who exhibits symptoms of any respiratory illness while onboard will be subject to additional screening at the onboard medical center and could be subject to potential quarantine and disembarkation.
Itinerary changes:
- Oceania has canceled all cruises in Asia through June. All passengers booked on canceled sailings will receive a full refund along with a future cruise credit, valid for any 2020 sailing, equal to 25 percent of the cruise fare paid.
- Insignia: The Around the World voyage will operate a revised itinerary that charts a southerly course for Australia and New Zealand before heading across the South Pacific to Polynesia and Hawaii and concludes in California and New York on the original schedule. Passengers sailing on the full world cruise have been provided goodwill compensation in addition to a future cruise credit. Those who were scheduled to disembark in Singapore or Tokyo have been offered alternative arrangements.
PO Cruises
Travel restrictions: While not a CLIA member, PO Cruises is following the group’s guidelines. It’s also conducting advanced pre-embarkation health screenings for anyone who’s been in Italy, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam or Iran within the past 14 days.
Given the extended quarantines imposed on the Diamond Princess and MS Westerdam, PO is also advising passengers to do the following:
- Pack enough prescription medications to last at least 14 days past the cruise’s planned end date as well as a list of drug names, strengths and dosages in case refills are needed
- Provide PO with at least one contact who is not also on the cruise
- Purchase a international plan for any cellphones they may be bringing
- Purchase a travel insurance policy that allows cancellation for any reason
Itinerary changes:
Arcadia:
- The Asian element of the ship’s World Cruise itinerary has now been removed. That segment has been replaced with a more in-depth Australian itinerary. The revised itinerary includes the following calls: Adelaide (March 4-5); Albany (March 8); Fremantle (March 10-11) and Colombo (March 19).
- Disembarkation point changes: Guests who were due to disembark in Hong Kong on March 10 or Singapore on March 14 will now disembark in Fremantle on March 10.
- Embarkation point changes: Guests who were due to join Arcadia in Hong Kong on March 10 will board in Fremantle that same day.
PO Cruises Australia
Travel restrictions: While not listed as a CLIA member, PO Cruises Australia is abiding by that group’s guidelines.
Itinerary changes: No additional cancellations beyond the previously announced Feb. 28 Pacific Explorer cruise from Singapore. Guests who were booked on that cruise will receive a full refund of the cruise fare paid and a 50% future cruise credit. PO Cruises Australia will also consider reimbursement of any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
Princess Cruises
Travel restrictions: In addition to following the CLIA guidelines, Princess Cruises personnel will be also scanning passports to ensure. no passenger or crew member has been in a restricted areas or a location subject to lockdown by local health authorities at the time of embarkation in the last 14 days (including transit through airports). Guests who do not disclose travel to those areas will be forced to disembark at the next opportunity and may be subject to legal action
Crew members from any affected region may not join any Princess ship until further notice.
Once a cruise is underway, crew members will:
- Screen anyone who visits the infirmary with symptoms of respiratory illness for COVID-19
- Report all cases of fever, respiratory illness or suspected COVID-19 cases to local health authorities
After the widespread COVID-19 infection and quarantine on board the Diamond Princess, the cruise line is urging passengers on upcoming cruises to prepare for such an eventuality. It suggests they do the following:
- Pack enough prescription medications to last at least 14 days past the cruise’s planned end date as well as a list of drug names, strengths and dosages in case refills are needed
- Provide PO with at least one contact who is not also on the cruise
- Purchase a international plan for any cellphones they may be bringing
- Purchase a travel insurance policy that allows cancellation for any reason
Itinerary changes:
- Sapphire Princess: All 2020 cruises in Asia been canceled through October. Instead the ship will offer 44 new cruises from five Australian ports for an extended year-long season, starting May 1.
- Majestic Princess: All cruises are canceled through to the April 2 departure.
- Sun Princess: The scheduled calls to Hong Kong on April 28 and July 14 and Shanghai on May 1 and July 17 have been canceled and replaced with calls to Incheon (Seoul) and Jeju, South Korea. In addition, the scheduled call to Pago Pago, American Samoa on June 22 has been replaced with a call to Moorea on June 29. These changes impact multiple voyages and guests have been notified of these changes. The line is also looking to remove Sun Princess’ transit calls on Shanghai on May 1 and July 17, replacing them with Japanese ports of calls.
- Diamond Princess: All cruises through to the April 20 departure have been canceled.
Quark Expeditions
Travel restrictions: While not listed as a member of CLIA, Quark Expeditions is following their guidelines. All passengers on cruises scheduled to depart through March 16 must complete a medical questionnaire, undergo thermal screenings to ensure their body temperatures are below 100.4℉ (38℃) and not display any symptoms of a respiratory illness.
Regent Seven Seas
Travel restrictions: Until April 8, Regent Seven Seas will deny boarding to anyone who has been to a country or region on the CLIA list in the past 30 days. Guests who are denied boarding will be issued a refund when they provide proof of travel. The cruise line has also lifted its ban on anyone holding a passport from China, Hong Kong or Macao.
Should any guest display any symptoms of any respiratory illness once a sailing is underway, that person will be subject to additional screening, quarantine and disembarkation.
Itinerary changes: Regent has modified Seven Seas Voyager’s March 13 voyage in order to remove Hong Kong. The line says revised itineraries and further announcements will be communicated as they become available.
Royal Caribbean
Travel restrictions: In addition to complying with the CLIA guidelines and denying boarding to anyone who has traveled to a restricted area in the past 15 days or demonstrates flu-like symptoms, Royal Caribbean will conduct special health screenings on the following:
- Any guest who has been to Japan, Singapore or Thailand in the past 15 days
- Any guest uncertain about having contact with any country or region on the CLIA list in the past 15 days
- Anyone with a fever or low blood oxygen levels at the time he or she undergoes the health screening
Guests who are denied boarding for any of the reasons listed above will receive full refunds.
Itinerary changes:
- Spectrum of the Seas: All China and Hong Kong sailings are canceled through the March 21 departure. Passengers on canceled cruises will receive full refunds. The line will redeploy the ship to Sydney for an undisclosed period of time to offer complimentary cruises to firefighters and other volunteer first responders.
- Quantum of the Seas: All cruises through the end of March have also been canceled. Passengers will receive full refunds.
Waiver and cancellation policy: U.S. guests who no longer wish to sail on Asia cruises departing before March 23 may rebook without paying a penalty at a later date.
Seabourn
Travel restrictions: In addition to observing the latest CLIA guidelines, Seabourn will test anyone who reports to a ship’s infirmary with symptoms of respiratory illness for COVID-19.
The cruise line also warned guests that they may be subject to additional screening by local health authorities before being allowed to go ashore on port call and said that it would warn guests as soon as possible in the event itinerary revisions become necessary.
Itinerary changes:
Seabourn Ovation: Seabourn has has replaced all of the ship’s Southeast Asia port calls through April.
- The ship’s next scheduled embarkation, originally planned for March 14 in Singapore, will now take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on the same date.
- Port calls from March 15 to April 3 are also affected, with some destinations changed and others rescheduled to alternate dates.
- Guests who were booked on this voyage will receive a refund of the fare paid for the 14-day voyage, as well as any prepaid purchases made through Seabourn including flights, pre- and post-cruise hotel packages, and shore excursions. Because the cruise was canceled close to the departure date, guests will also receive a future cruise credit.
Seabourn Sojourn:
- World Cruise stops in Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila and Benoa (Indonesia), will be replaced with Freemantle (Perth), Melbourne, Hobart and Sydney, respectively.
- Additionally, because of the change in itinerary, the port call on Sydney on April 29, will be switched to Auckland.
- Port calls from March 11 to April 30 are also affected, with some destinations changed and others rescheduled to alternate dates.
- Guests who are booked on affected voyages will receive a future cruise credit.
SeaDream Yacht Club
Travel restrictions: While not listed as a CLIA member, SeaDream Yacht Club is abiding by that grou’s guidelines. In addition to completing a medical questionnaire, guests who are not feeling well before beginning their travel to the ship must see their personal physician to rule out the possibility of infecting others.
Silversea
Travel restrictions: Silversea is extending the period during which passengers and crew members cannot travel through areas on the CLIA list to 15 days, regardless of nationality. Guests who are not allowed to board will be issued a full refund.
Any guest or crew member who develops a fever or shows symptoms of any respiratory illness while onboard will be subject to screening for coronavirus as well as potential isolation, quarantine and disembarkation.
Star Cruises
Travel restrictions: Star Cruises has suspended the boarding of passengers living in Wuhan and Hubei Province as well as their close contacts. Passengers who do not wish to travel due to the coronavirus outbreak are offered an unconditional refund.
Itinerary changes: Asia-based Star Cruises has suspended the operation of SuperStar Gemini and SuperStar Aquarius. All cruises have been canceled until further notice. Booked passengers have the option to change their cruise date or cancel with a full refund.
Tauck
Itinerary changes: Tauck has canceled its China programs through June, and it will continue to monitor the situation.
Uniworld
Itinerary changes: Uniworld’s China itineraries begin in April, and the line said it will continue to monitor developments.
Waiver and cancellation policy: Uniworld announced the following changes:
- Cruise fare: Passengers booked on 2020 cruises departing May 1 or later have the option to cancel their cruise up to 30 days prior to departure for $200 per person, which is usually the rate for cancellations made 120 days before departure.
- Airfare: For airfare booked through uniworld, airfare fees will be waived if not yet ticketed. A $450 fee will apply if the ticket has already been issued at the time of cancellation.
- Trip insurance fees: These are non-refundable.
Victoria Cruise Lines
Itinerary changes: Victoria Cruises, which operates three-, four- and seven-night itineraries on China’s Yangtze River, has not announced any new cancellations. It says it will continue to monitor the situation.
Viking Cruises
Travel restrictions: While not listed as a member of CLIA, Viking is complying with the group’s guidelines.
Itinerary changes:
River cruises: Viking has canceled all Yangtze River itineraries through June.
Ocean cruises: Viking Sun is currently sailing a modified itinerary on its way to London/Greenwich, England. Viking Orion will be redeployed to Alaska, where the ship was scheduled to begin sailing in late spring.
Waiver and cancellation policy: On March 2, Viking announced it is temporarily allowing passengers who made reservations through April 30 to postpone cruises up until 24 hours before the planned departure date without incurring any cancellation fees.
The fine print:
- Guests who postpone their cruises will receive a voucher for future travel that is valid for 24 years and can be used for river, ocean or expedition cruises.
- Canceled reservations will be reimbursed in the form of future cruise vouchers worth 100% of the fare already paid to Viking.
- Passengers whose flights were arranged by Viking must notify the cruise line at least 24 hours before the flight is scheduled to depart.
- Passengers who booked their own flights must notify Viking at least 24 hours prior to embarkation or hotel check-in, whichever comes first.
Virgin Voyages
Travel restrictions: Virgin is extending the CLIA restrictions, forbidding anyone who has been in an affected country to board one of its ships for 21 days before embarkation, regardless of nationality.
On Monday, the cruise line said it was canceling the New York City debut of its first ship, Scarlet Lady. Instead, the ship will head to its home base in Miami, where it will make its maiden voyage later this month.
Windstar
Travel restrictions: Windstar is extending the CLIA restrictions, forbidding anyone who has been in an affected area to board one of its ships for 30 days.
Itinerary changes:
Star Breeze: All 2020 Asia cruises are canceled. Instead, the ship will extend its 2020 Alaska season and then move to Tahiti for its previously scheduled inaugural season in Australia and New Zealand.
Wind Star: The March 7 sailing from Cairns, Australia, to Benoa (Bali), Indonesia has also been canceled.
Waiver and cancellation policy: Windstar has launched a new cancellation policy, referred to as the Travel Assurance Booking Policy, for any cruise departing on or after June 1 that enables cruisers to cancel their cruise up to 15 days before the cruise departs without incurring a cancellation fee.
The new policy will be automatically applied to new and existing cruise bookings for sailings departing on or after June 1 through Dec. 21, 2021. Cruisers who cancel before 15 days prior to departure will receive a 100% future cruise credit to be used on another Windstar sailing departing within one year of the date issued.
Contributing: Jayme Deerwester, USA TODAY
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