Although the Canadian government was firm in its decision to ban all cruise ships from their shoresRoyal Caribbean has now announced that it will not cancel any trips. This includes cruises that embark and disembark from Canadian ports, as well as routes that touch Canadian ports of call.
The cruise line says it is currently considering possible options with the governments of Canada and the United States and the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). The announcement comes after Alaskan government officials described the travel ban as “unacceptable”.
Call guests to hold their reservations
Royal Caribbean requests that all guests currently booked on cruises to Alaska and Canada keep their bookings. The line believes they will be able to find an alternate method of sailing for these cruises.
The line has also postponed the final payment dates for these trips to 45 days before the sailing date, giving guests more freedom and awaiting possible arrangements that Royal Caribbean may be able to resolve.
Standard payment terms apply to cruise holidays of 1 to 4 nights 75 days before the sailing date and for cruise holidays of 5 nights or longer 90 days before the sailing date.
Photo credit: Royal Caribbean International
However, if guests choose to cancel their trip, the cruise line offers guests several options to either rebook their trip at a later date or receive a full refund:
- Option 1: Postpone the trip to the same trip for ± 1 week next year
- Option 2: Get 125% Future Cruise Credit
- Option 3: Receive a 100% refund of the amounts paid, valid until June 30, 2021
- Option 4: keep the same reservation and be given the option to pay 45 days before sailing
Royal Caribbean had planned four ships to sail in Alaska in 2021. Quantum of the Seas had previously been canceled due to her stay in Singapore, where she is currently cruising.
For Ovation of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas and Radiance of the seasRoyal Caribbean Cruises is looking for available options to allow ships to continue on their scheduled dates.
Also read: IDEAL activities in Ketchikan, Alaska
Canada’s decision to ban cruise lines in Canadian waters is unacceptable
The announcement from Royal Caribbean comes just days after US Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, who following explanation::
“As the state with the largest shared border with Canada, the Alaska Delegation has worked in good faith to find a compromise on border restrictions due to COVID-19, while keeping the health and safety of Alaskans and Canadians in mind. Canada’s announcement to ban all cruises of 100 or more people traveling through Canadian waters without having a courtesy talk with the Alaska delegation is not only unexpected but also unacceptable. “
Photo Credit: Volodymyr Kyrylyuk / Shutterstock.com
While relations between Canadian and US officials are usually cordial, they appeared to have cooled significantly after Canada implemented and extended the cruise ban. The Canadians’ decision to extend the ban for a full year was particularly poorly received:
“When we heard the announcement, we immediately reached out to Canadian and American authorities to try to understand the reasons for this decision – specifically the length of the ban. We are reviewing all potential avenues, including amending existing laws, to ensure the Alaska cruise industry resumes operations as soon as it is safe. We will fight to find a way forward. “
What possible options for cruises in Alaska this year remains unclear. A change in the passenger Law on the movement of people seems like a viable option if Canada refuses to move.
Other options include the electronic handling of ships in Canadian ports, as is common practice in many ports today, with no contact between people on board and ashore.
Connected: Cruise lines surprised and disappointed with Canada’s annual ban
However, the fact remains that the likelihood of cruising remains small, with the exception of ships based in the United States. If US government officials, cruise lines, and the CLIA manage to break through, it will be a small but much-needed victory for a troubled industry.
Main Photo: Macklin Holloway / Shutterstock.com
