Due to the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak and following the Government’s warning on 12 March for the over-70s to avoid cruise holidays at this time, cruise lines are suspending operations and offering guests the chance to rebook later in 2020 and 2021.

Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten will voluntarily stop operations from pole to pole until the end of April.

Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam said: “To temporarily suspend operations was a difficult decision to make. And it’s an emotional moment for me and the entire Hurtigruten team. But I firmly believe it is the only responsible decision in the extraordinary crisis the world is currently facing.”

It has paused cruise operations through 28 April and their Norwegian coastal cruises through 19 April.

Guests who have their voyages cancelled because of the temporary suspension of operations are offered a Hurtigruten Future Cruise Voucher in the amount of 125 per cent of amounts paid (including fees). They will also get a 10 per cent discount on any future Hurtigruten cruise – Expedition or Norwegian Coastal – from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2021, with a flexible rebooking date.

Even though they are not affected by the temporary suspension of operations, guests booked on voyages through 30 September 2020 are offered rebooking, without any rebooking fee, to any future Hurtigruten cruise for departures between 1 July 2020 and 31 December 2021.

CroisiEurope 

CroisiEurope has postponed all cruises through to 15 April 2020 inclusive.

Passengers who have been impacted will receive full credit and be able to apply this credit to a cruise at a future date and, in addition, receive a voucher for £150 per person for a future cruise (booked on individual basis), the line has confirmed.

For all new bookings made between 16 March and 1 May 2020 for all departures until 31 August 2020, passengers may cancel free of charge up to 30 days from their departure date (excluding booking fees and any ancillary charges.)

Tui River Cruises

Tui has postponed the launch of Tui river cruises and cancelled all sailings until 2 May 2020.

The first public sailings were due to depart on 29 March with a number of itineraries on European waterways.

Customers booked on to departures up to and including 2 May 2020 will be entitled to a full refund or can rebook onto any other available sailing until 31 October.

If they choose to amend to a later sailing and the new cruise is more expensive the difference in cost will be covered. And if it costs less than the original booking they will be refunded the difference.

In a statement, the company said that it is contacting customers directly, prioritising those with the most immediate sailings.

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises is suspending any new cruises until 11 April 2020.

The line’s president Paul Ludlow said: “Having reviewed all of our ship operations and industry recommendations, we will bring our ships back to Southampton and suspend any new cruises until April 11, 2020.

“This pause in operations has been done in an abundance of caution to support the global effort to contain the spread of Covid-19.”

For all guests impacted by this temporary suspension, P&O Cruises will provide a 125 per cent Future Cruise Credit.

This credit will be applied automatically to their guest account for use on a P&O Cruises holiday departing before the end of March 2022.

Cunard

Cunard has announced the suspension of sailings until 11 April 2020.

Cunard president Simon Palethorpe said: “Having reviewed all of our ship operations and industry recommendations, we have decided no new guests or crew will be joining our ships as we suspend operations until April 11, 2020.

“This pause in operations has been done in an abundance of caution to support the global effort to contain the spread of Covid-19.”

All guests impacted directly by this temporary suspension are being contacted regarding their voyage and their options.

In a statement, the line said that Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria will be returning to Southampton and is reviewing Queen Elizabeth’s planned itineraries.

CMV

Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) has announced the suspension of all embarkations taking place until 24 April 2020.

All CMV ships will be returning to their disembarkation home ports in the UK and Germany with the repatriation of international passengers as required.

All affected passengers will be offered a full refund or a future cruise credit of 125 per cent of the value of their cruise.

Passengers who use the future cruise credit will also be offered a 20 per cent discount of onboard additions beverage packages plus a 10 per cent shore excursion discount and one cabin category upgrade subject to availability.

The future cruise must be booked by 31 July 2020.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line has made the decision to voluntarily pause global cruise operations of its 14 ships for 30 days, impacting sailings scheduled to depart through 14 April  2020.

Three cruises that were scheduled to depart this weekend are now cancelled. Booked guests and their travel agents are in the process of being notified. Guests on these three cruises cancelled this weekend will receive a 100 per cent refund and 100 per cent Future Cruise Credit.

The cancelled cruises are:

• Oosterdam: originally scheduled to embark Saturday 14 March in San Diego, California.
• Nieuw Amsterdam: originally scheduled to embark  14 March in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
• Koningsdam: originally scheduled to embark 15 March  in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Other voyages that are currently in progress are planned to debark as follows:

• Eurodam: 18 March in San Diego, California, as scheduled.
• Veendam: 18 March in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as scheduled.
• Zuiderdam: 18 March in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as scheduled.
• Maasdam: 20 March in Hilo, Hawaii. This is a change from the scheduled disembarkation in San Diego, California, on 3 April.
• Zaandam: 21 March in San Antonio, Chile as scheduled.
• Volendam: 22 March in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as scheduled.
• Amsterdam: 24 March in Freemantle, Australia. This is a change from the scheduled disembarkation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 12 May.
• Rotterdam: 27 March in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as scheduled.

Any guests on back-to-back cruises beyond the dates above will need to disembark.

Holland America Line will rebook all guests who purchased their air through the Flight Ease program and will endeavor to help others who booked their own air if they are encountering issues.

Guests currently booked on cruises beyond this weekend that will now not be operating will receive a communication from Holland America Line in the coming days regarding their options.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean Cruises has suspended all US sailings, as well as the voyages of its fleet globally, until 10 April. All current sailings will be concluded as planned and the line will be assisting passengers with their return home.

In a statement, it said: “We are reaching out to our guests to help them work through the disruption to their vacations, and we are truly sorry for the inconvenience.”

The decision to suspend sailings has resulted in the inaugural sailings of Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Cruises’ new ship, being cancelled,  which follows on from the line postponing the naming day earlier this month.

Norwegian Cruise Line

NCL joined Royal Caribbean as one of the latest US cruise lines to suspend sailings amid the outbreak.

Guests who are currently booked on voyages with embarkation dates from 13 March to 11 April 2020 on NCL, Oceania Cruises or Regent Seven Seas have been asked to contact their travel agent or cruise line.

All guests on impacted voyages will receive a 125 per cent refund of the fare paid in the form of a future cruise credit, which can be applied toward any future cruise through 31 December 2022.

Guests who do not wish to have the credit can instead choose to have a 100 per cent fare refund, which they will receive within 90 days of making the request. Travel partner commissions on cancelled cruises will be protected, the line also confirmed.

Guests on voyages currently underway will conclude and passengers will be disembarked and assisted with travel arrangements.

Marella Cruises

Marella Cruises has cancelled all sailings for the next two weeks. In a statement, it said:

“The cruise line understands that this may be disappointing for customers but felt that given the constantly changing situation cruises operating during the next two weeks would fall short of the experience it wants to give its customers.

“Marella Cruises would like to thank its customers for their understanding during this unprecedented time.”

All guests impacted by the cancellation of sailings between 14 and 28 March 2020 will be notified and issued a full refund.

MSC Cruises

After deciding to halt all operations in the Med, the Gulf and Asia, MSC Cruises has gone one step further and paused new itineraries on its US-based ships until 30 April 2020.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred Olsen has paused its ocean cruise operations until 23 May 2020. For the time being the line’s river ship Brabant is not affected by the pause in operations and will commence its season as planned on 6 April.

In a statement, the line said: “Our priority is to get all existing guests and crew home as safely and comfortably as possible. Any subsequent itineraries will not go ahead once the current cruises have come to an end.”

Scenic Group

Scenic Group, which includes Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises, has temporarily suspended all river cruise operations until 30 April 2020.

For guests whose departures are within this period, Scenic Group is offering the choice of either a future travel credit valued at 125 per cent of the booking or the option of a refund to the value of the amount paid. Guests choosing a future travel credit will have up to 24 months to travel on a Scenic Group river cruise.

Princess Cruises 

Princess Cruises has announced that it is temporarily pausing all ship operations for 60 days, due to coronavirus.

The company has paused global operations of its 18 ships for voyages departing from 12 March to 10 May.

Those currently on board a cruise that will end in the next five days will continue to sail as expected through to the end of the itinerary, meaning that onward travel arrangements are not disrupted.

Current sailings that are underway and extend beyond 17 March will finish at the most convenient location for guests, factoring in operational requirements.

For those who are impacted, the line is offering guests the opportunity to transfer 100 per cent of the money paid for their cancelled cruise to a future cruise of their choice.

The company is also adding an additional future cruise credit benefit that can be applied to the cruise fare or onboard expenses.

Virgin Voyages 

Virgin Voyages has postponed the inaugural season of Scarlet Lady until 15 July 2020, with the maiden voyage now taking place on 7 August 2020.

Guests can receive:

• 200 per cent in future voyage credit, which can be applied to another sailing, rather than a refund. This is double the value of an existing booking
• Guests can also receive up to $500 in on-board credit, if they re-book before 30 June 2020
• If a guest prefers to get a 100 per cent refund on a voyage for an impacted sailing, Virgin Voyages will issue one plus offer a 25 per cent future voyage credit on the value paid to use for a future booking

Uniworld 

Uniworld has announced the suspension of all European itineraries until April 23. It is offering guests the opportunity to rebook travel dates o any 2020 or 2021 cruise or receive a future cruise credit eligible to be used during the next 24 months.

Full details can be found on the Uniworld website.

AmaWaterways 

AmaWaterways has delayed the start of its European sailing season until 26 April 2020.

It has updated its cancellation policy applicable to the cancelled sailings so guests can cruise in the future. Passengers booked on a cruise that is being cancelled have the option of receiving a future cruise credit equal to 115 per cent of the value of all services purchased through AmaWaterways or receiving a full refund.

The future cruise credit is applicable on all European or Mekong river cruise sailings any time before  31 December 2022.

Additionally, the company will fully protect the commission of travel agents whose clients opt for a future cruise credit, as well as pay an additional 10 per cent commission on the value of the future booking. Plus the company will pay full commission on the fare difference, if applicable.

Celestyal Cruises 

Celestyal Cruises has temporarily suspended cruise operations until 1 May 2020.

It plans to recommence on 1 May with a three-night Iconic Aegean cruise on Celestyal Olympia. All named and fully-paid guests will be offered the choice of either a future cruise credit valued at 120 per cent of original booking value or a refund of the original amount paid.

Guests will have until the end of December 2021 to use their future cruise credit against any of the line’s itineraries.

For anyone who has not used their future cruise credit within the specified period will automatically receive a refund equal to the original amount paid.

Affected sailings are:

• Seven-night Three Continents: 4, 21 and 28 March 2020
• Seven-night Eclectic Aegean: 4, 11, 18 and 25 April 2020
• Three- and four-night Iconic Aegean: 16 March until 30 April 2020

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises announced the company will temporarily suspend operations worldwide for cruises embarking 14 March through 30 April 2020.

Travellers on canceled cruises can choose a future cruise credit valued at 125 per cent of all monies paid to Windstar or a refund equal to the amount paid on the Windstar booking. They will have 24 months to book and embark on any available cruise using the credit.

Travel agent commissions are also protected.

Avalon Waterways/Cosmos

Avalon Waterways is suspending travel through to April 30.

The line has introduced a new ‘Peace of Mind Plan’ for travelers whose trips are impacted. This allows them to move travel dates without incurring cancellation fees, land or airline penalties. It also gives a bonus credit of $200 per person for a new reservation, redeemable for any future 2020, 2021 or 2022 vacation.

Travellers who cancel will get a refund but must advise the company by 31 March.

The wider Globus family – including Cosmos Tours – has also announced that it is voluntarily suspending travel, across all destinations, through to 30 April 2020. Commission will be protected on bookings during this travel window that are rescheduled.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line’s four-ship fleet will suspend new departures starting Saturday through the end of March. No information has been given yet on refunds.

Saga Cruises

Saga said it would temporarily suspend its cruises for six weeks until 1 May 2020. It will be offering customers a full refund or credit for future sailings.

In a statement this morning, the group explained: “The health and safety of customers and colleagues is our number one priority.”

Viking 

Viking has suspended all river and ocean sailings in light of the coronavirus outbreak. The measure affects all sailings until 30 April. The line will then resume operations from 1 May.

For those guests whose cruise falls within the window of suspended operations, Viking is offering the choice of a future cruise voucher, valued at 125 per cent of all money paid, or a refund equal to the amount paid.

Guests will have 24 months to use their future cruise voucher to make a new booking on any river, ocean or expedition itinerary.

Costa Cruises

Costa Cruises has stopped the global operations of its ships until 3 April 2020.

Costa Cruises president Neil Palomba said: “As an industry leader, we feel it is our responsibility to be ready to make hard choices when times require it.

“In Costa, we always have the health and safety of our guests and crew members at heart. Now that these unprecedented circumstances require unprecedented actions to make sure that people across the world stay healthy, we are ready to play our role.”

Costa sailings currently underway will end only to allow guests to disembark and return to their homes. Customers booked onto one of Costa’s ships will receive a voucher for a full refund.

Paul Gauguin

Paul Gauguin has suspended all calls in French Polynesia until 11 April 2020.

For information on revised cancellation policies, click here. For the latest advice on coronavirus, visit gov.uk.

A-Rosa River Cruises

Following the decision from the French ministry of solidarity and health to prohibit cruise ships with more than 100 passengers on board from calling at French ports until 15 April 2020, A-Rosa has suspended its cruises on the Danube and Rhine until 3 April 2020 and on the Rhône and Seine until 15 April 2020.  

A spokesperson for A-Rosa said:  “We are currently liaising with all our tour operator and travel agency partners to provide them with all the latest information for their customers.

“We are offering free rebooking to a later date in either the 2020 or 2021 season and guests will receive an additional onboard credit of 50 Euros per person. They will also receive a special discount of 30 per cent off a future A-Rosa cruise.”

“We understand that our guests will be disappointed by the cancellation of their cruise but very much look forward to welcoming them back in the future.”

This article will be updated. 

Our view

The cruise industry is facing an unprecedented and ever-changing situation, and we are committed to keeping you informed with the most up-to-date news. However, we firmly believe that the cruise industry will bounce back. When it does, we’ll be on hand to help you get back to selling the cruises that people love.