Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings suspends sailings to November

NCLH suspends to November

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings suspended voyages embarking in October for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

In an effort to provide additional transparency, beginning in August, the company plans to provide an update at the end of each month regarding the status of voyage suspensions, including any potential extensions.

NCL 'Peace of Mind' policy extended

As well, NCL introduced a final payment schedule for all 2020 voyages which allows final payment 60 days prior to embarkation versus the standard 120 days, and the company extended its 'Peace of Mind' policy. Travelers on cruises booked by Aug. 31, 2020, with embarkation dates from Jan. 1, 2021, to Oct. 31, 2021, now have the flexibility to cancel their cruise 15 days prior to departure.

No money down for 90 days with 'Crystal Confidence 2.0'

For a limited time, the new 'Crystal Confidence 2.0' allows travelers 90 days to place their deposit on new 2020-2023 reservations across all brand experiences — Crystal Cruises, Crystal River Cruises, Crystal Yacht Cruises and Crystal Expedition Cruises. In addition, the company is relaxing final payment deadlines for all its current savings programs.

For 2020 voyages, final payment is now due 30 days prior to first date of service, and travelers will receive a full refund (less administration fees) for canceling 2020 voyages up to 30 days prior to first date of service. Or, travelers may cancel up to seven days prior to first date of service and receive a 100% future cruise credit, redeemable through the end of 2023.

Extended through April 2021, the new Crystal Confidence 2.0 allows final payment 60 days prior to departure, instead of 120 days, for all new bookings.

Also, Crystal extended its Early Full Payment Savings Program to 180 days from sailing instead of 270 days. This gives an additional 2.5% savings for all experiences including ocean, river, yacht and expedition.

For Crystal River Cruises, a limited time promotion allows travelers booking any of 60 sailings from March through December 2021 90 days to place their nonrefundable full payment of $3,699 per person, a savings of up to 50%, for the best available suite at the time of booking. Travelers have the flexibility to change their cruise to another applicable sailing with no penalty before Dec. 31, 2020.

And with Crystal’s 'Easy Book' program, for all 2021-2023 bookings, travelers can book with a reduced 15% deposit, regardless of voyage length, and receive waived administrative fees. The new 90-day deferred deposit applies.

Victory Cruise Lines' health/safety protocols

Victory Cruise Lines announced new health and safety policies that will be implemented when operations resume in 2021. As previously reported, the rest of the 2020 season was canceled.

Victory offers cruises to the Great Lakes, Canadian Maritimes, New England coast and Southeastern seaboard with twin 202-passenger ships Victory I and Victory II.

The protocols include a health screening at the pre-cruise hotel, temperature taking at embarkation, a secondary gangway screening, a medical representative on board, enhanced sanitation and no dining or bar self-service. On tours, the company is targeting 52% motor coach capacity, to allow for adequate space, plus enhanced sanitation.

The measures, detailed here, emulated those of parent company American Queen Steamboat Co., announced earlier.

Add Seatrade Cruise News to your Google News feed.