The U.S. Department of State has recently issued a travel advisory for U.S. citizens traveling by cruise ship. The most current advisory text may be viewed by clicking here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/cruise-ship-passengers.html
In light of the current Coronavirus outbreak and State Department Advisory, Royal Caribbean has temporarily modified their cancellation policies and we wanted to share what options you have for your cruise.
- Holland America Line is introducing a new Short Term Cancellation Policy on select cruises. For all departures between now and May 31, 2020, you have the option to cancel your booking no later than March 31, 2020, with a minimum of 72 hours in advance of your departure date. Any cancellation will receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for the amount of the cancellation fee that can be used for another cruise in 2020 or 2021. The FCC must be booked by December 31, 2020. This applies to bookings on spring 2020 Land+Sea Journeys and cruises for all destinations. FCCs are nonrefundable, non-transferrable and do not have to be used on the same destination that was cancelled.
- For all June departures, final payment will now be due at 60 days prior to sailing date.
Due to these considerate new cancellation policies, you may want to delay any final decision with regard to your upcoming cruise. Previously, you had to cancel prior to your final payment due date. As noted above, this is now significantly revised for 2020 sailings, thus providing significant additional time (past final payment) to make any final decisions to cruise, while this evolving situation develops. These new policies also allow you to consider a new future booking, with the same revised cancellation policy, for 2020 departures as well.
Additionally, should you choose to modify any reservation booked with Best Price Cruises & Tours, we will waive all agency ship or sailing change fees through December 31, 2020. Should you choose to cancel a sailing departing in 2020, our agency cancellation fee will be applied as a $100 future cruise credit toward any new cruise or cruisetour made with our agency departing on or before December 31, 2021.
At the current time, nearly 600,000 people sail on cruise ships every day on over 200 cruise ships at sea and on rivers. Nearly every cruise line has now adopted enhanced & significant wellness screenings. Most pre-boarding screenings include temperature scans, enhanced medical forms, and information regarding previous recent countries traveled. Secondary, more thorough medical screenings are also being performed, when deemed necessary, by most cruise lines. Enhanced sanitation procedures have also been instituted to help mitigate risk.
The top priority of every cruise line is your safety.
We realize deciding to keep or cancel your upcoming cruise vacation is a highly personal decision. Please rest assured our Expert Travel Advisors are here to support you. Should you have additional questions or concerns please call us at: 1-800-672-7485
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