A selection of major cruise lines have extended suspensions in operations until at least March 2021.

Princess Cruises has confirmed that it will pause all operations through to 31 March 2021.

In addition, the line has suspended itineraries longer than seven days sailing in and out of US ports through to 1 November 2021. Princess Cruises is also extending its pause in operations for cruises departing in and out of Japan through to 25 June 2021.

Princess Cruises president Jan Swartz said: “We are focused on preparing our ships to meet the CDC health and safety requirements for our eventual return to service.

“We also appreciate the continued support we have received from our guests, partners and travel advisors, reinforcing for all of us why we do what we do.”

Guests booked on cancelled voyages will have the option to receive a refundable future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to 100 per cent of the cruise fare paid, plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 25 per cent of the cruise fare.

Requests for a full refund must be received by 31 December 2020, or guests will be registered for the FCC option.

Meanwhile, Holland America Line has extended its pause for all departures up until 31 March 2021.

The line has also cancelled cruises of eight days or more that call at US ports until 1 November 2021.

Select longer voyages in Asia, Australia/New Zealand and South America have been cancelled through to mid-April 2021. Some departures will be rescheduled to comparable dates in 2022.

Guests with impacted cruises booked up to 31 March will automatically be cancelled, and no action is needed when opting for the FCC. All FCCs are valid for 12 months.

Those who prefer a full refund have until 31 December to notify Holland America Line.

HAL’s sister brand Seabourn has cancelled certain itineraries on Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Quest

Select voyages on Seabourn Odyssey are cancelled from 16 January 2021 to 5 November 2021, although seven-day Alaska/British Columbia and the Pacific Coast sailings will still go ahead.

Seabourn Quest voyages longer than seven days and calling at a US port are cancelled from July 22 to 6 November 2021.

Guests paid in full will receive 125 per cent FCC of the base cruise fare paid to Seabourn. Guests can also request a full refund.

Seabourn president Josh Leibowitz said: “We’re fully committed to meeting the requirements necessary to bring guests back to our ships, including those issued by the CDC.

“Our team is grateful for the continued support we are seeing from guests, the travel advisor community, our partners and everyone with an interest in the hundreds of destinations we visit. Stay tuned for releases of alternative voyage options in the months ahead as conditions permit.”

P&O Cruises has also extended its pause in cruise operations to April 2021, in response to “current uncertainty around European ports of call”.