The Canadian Transport Ministry’s Interim Order has extended the closure of Canadian ports and waters to passenger vessels, which has resulted in cancelled itineraries for Alaska sailings with Seabourn, Princess, and Holland America sailings.
The Canadian Interim Order expires Feb. 28, 2022.
As a result of the Canadian Transport Ministry’s Interim Order, Seabourn is cancelling its 2021 Alaska/British Columbia departures. Seabourn is maintaining its optimism for the ultimate restart of travel while, in the meantime, continuing to take a practical approach in extending its current operational pause.
The cancellation announcement applies to a total of 19 voyages scheduled aboard Seabourn Odyssey in summer 2021 between Vancouver, Canada and Juneau, Alaska, including one Pacific Coast voyage at the end of the season.
Guests with bookings affected by this announcement are being given as much notice as possible to provide them with greater clarity around their travel plans.
“Our highest priorities are compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the people in destinations we visit,” said Josh Leibowitz, president of Seabourn, in a press statement. “We have heard from many guests and they are eager to travel, seeing positive developments starting to take hold that will eventually lead to our return to service.”
Guests with impacted cruise bookings will automatically be cancelled and re-booked to a comparable 2022 voyage at the rate paid plus current amenities. Once Seabourn has completed the booking transfer, if the guest would prefer an alternative option, they can also request a full refund of monies paid to Seabourn to the original form of payment or to be transferred to a new booking.
Travel advisors will be sent specific details applicable to their booking. Seabourn asks travel advisors to use the online resources available on its website first rather than calling the Reservation Call Center for information about the cancellations due to the possibility of high call volumes and the potential of long on-hold wait times.
For more information, visit seabourn.com.
Princess Cruises
In addition, as Princess Cruises continues to review and assess its operations as a result of the Canadian Transport Ministry’s Interim Order, the company has found it necessary to cancel the following voyages:
- Alaska 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruises sailing between Vancouver, B.C. and Anchorage (Whittier)
- Pacific Coastals that start or end in Vancouver, B.C.
- Canadian Adventure sailing roundtrip from Southampton, UK
Princess is engaged with various United States and Canadian government officials to try to preserve a portion of the Alaska and Canada & New England 2021 cruise seasons. In the meantime, Princess has committed to operating the Kenai Princess Wilderness lodge along with McKinley Chalet Resort in Denali and Westmark Fairbanks Hotel this summer and is currently working on vacation land package details that will be announced shortly.
“We share in our guests’ disappointment over these cancelled voyages especially as we have been preparing our ships for our return to service,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises, in a press statement. “Princess Cruises has sailed to Alaska for more than 50 years and the incredible Last Frontier is part of our proud heritage. We understand, how much of Alaska is dependent on the cruise economy. We are going to do all we can to help our business partners and the communities of Alaska.”
For guests currently booked on a cancelled voyage who had paid in full, Princess will automatically rebook them to the same cruise or cruise tour in 2022. No action is required from guests or their travel advisors. The rebooking process will have the added benefit of protecting the guests’ 2021 fare on their 2022 cruise. Once Princess has completed the booking transfer, if the guest would prefer an alternative option, they can choose a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100 percent of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 10 percent of the cruise fare paid (minimum $25) or a full refund to the original form of payment.
Guests not paid in full will automatically receive a refundable Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100 percent of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 10 percent of the cruise fare paid (minimum $25).
FCCs can be used on any cruises booked by and sailing by Dec. 31, 2022. Alternatively, guests can request a full refund for all monies paid on their booking through this online form. Requests must be received by March 31, 2021 or guests who are not paid in full will automatically receive the Future Cruise Credit option.
Princess will transfer the commission earned by its travel advisors from the cancelled 2021 cruise to the new booking in 2022.
For more information, visit Information on Impacted & Cancelled Cruises.
Holland America Line
Holland America Line has also extended its pause in operations to include all sailings that depart from or end in Canadian ports throughout 2021, which includes several Alaska cruises. At this time, Alaska cruises departing from mid-May and sailing roundtrip from Seattle are not being cancelled.
“We must be practical in our approach by acknowledging the limitations put in place by the current Canadian order that requires us to cancel select sailings. We thank our guests for their patience and understanding and know that they, like us, are eager to see cruising begin again soon,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, in a press statement.
Cruises impacted by this pause in operation are:
- Alaska: Cruises through September 2021 to Alaska from all departure ports aboard Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam and Zuiderdam. This also includes any Land+Sea Journeys connected with canceled Alaska sailings.
- Pacific Coastal: Two sailings in early October aboard Koningsdam and Oosterdam.
- Canada/New England: Three cruises aboard Zaandam departing in September 2021.
Holland America Line is currently notifying travel advisors of their options for their clients. Those who paid in full will be rebooked to the same cruise or Land + Sea Journey in 2022, and those who have not paid in full can still select to be moved to a 2022 sailing. Guests on impacted Alaska cruises and Land+Sea Journeys involving a Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, gateway may not move to roundtrip Seattle cruises at this time, as these departures are not open for sale pending further announcements. Guests can also opt for an FCC of 100 percent of any cash paid on their booking. Full refunds are also available.
For more information, visit hollandamerica.com.
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