Princess Cruises has become the latest cruise line to extend its voluntary pause of global ship operations until 30 June 2020.

This extension is in response to the impact of the coronavirus (covid-19) global outbreak and the recent announcement from the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which last Thursday extended its no sail order for at least 100 days.

The cruise line had previously announced a voluntary pause for 60 days, impacting voyages departing 12 March to 10 May 2020.

In addition, Princess Cruises has modified its Alaska season, resulting in all Princess Alaska Gulf cruises and cruise tours being cancelled.

The five wilderness lodges, trains and buses operated by Princess in Alaska will not open this summer. The line will continue its roundtrip sailings from Seattle to Alaska on Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess.

President of Princess Cruises, Jan Swartz, said: “This global outbreak continues to challenge our world in unimaginable ways.

“We recognise how disappointing this is to our long-term business partners and thousands of employees, many of whom have been with us in Alaska for decades.

“We hope everyone impacted by these cancellations – especially our guests, travel agent partners, teammates, and the communities we visit – understand our decision to do our part to protect the safety, health and well-being of our guests and team.

“We look forward to the brighter days and smooth seas ahead for all of us.”

Each ship will have a unique return to service date based on the previously published cruise itineraries with some modifications, departing after 1 July 2020.

Princess Cruises is offering two cancellation options. Guests currently booked on these cancelled voyages, who have paid in full, will receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100 per cent of the cruise fare paid and as an added incentive, an additional 25 per cent FCC.

Guests must use their credits on a cruise that sails on or before 1 May 2022. No action is required for guests to receive this offer and they will be notified by email once the credits have been issued.

Alternatively, guests can receive a full refund on their booking through Princess’ online form. Requests must be received by 31 May 2020, or they will receive the Future Cruise Credit option. Guests who have not yet paid in full will receive a refund of all monies paid.

Princess Cruises will protect travel agent commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full, in recognition of the critical role travel agents play in the cruise line’s business and success.

The cruise line asks guests to delay in calling the Reservation Call Centre due to high call volumes. Guests and their travel agents will be sent communications on how to manage cancellations, rebook another voyage, or request a refund.

For more information, visit princess.com.