Holland America and Princess Extend Cancellations to Select Cruises

Until the CDC determines a restart date for cruises, Holland America and Princess Cruises have again extended cancellations to a handful of cruises here and abroad. The new pause in cruise operations runs through the entire month of June 2021 for both cruise lines.

This latest round of cancellations extends over to Europe as well as the USA West Coast.

Holland and Princess New Cruise Cancellations

It wasn’t very long ago that Holland America and Princess Cruises issued their latest list of Alaska cruise cancellations. Though nothing new is set to resume any Alaska cruises this season, both cruise lines are holding out hope that some Alaska cruises could happen.

Holland America Cancellation Update

Despite efforts by Holland America Line to work with government and port authorities and develop a plan to resume cruising, the cruise line has once again extended its pause of European cruise departures through June 30, 2021.

READ MORE: Holland America Sells Four Smaller Ships

Previously, Holland America Europe cruises were canceled only part-way into June. Now the entire month is canceled.

The cruise cancellations impact departures in May and June for three ships: Nieuw Statendam, Volendam and Westerdam.  Collectors’ Voyages associated with those canceled cruises are also affected. Collectors’ Voyages combine non-repeating itineraries for extended, back-to-back cruise experiences.

Cruises affected by this pause in operation are:

• Nieuw Statendam: Eight departures from May 2 through June 27, 2021. This includes the seven- and 14-day Norway and Baltic itineraries and the 14- and 21-day Collectors’ Voyages of those cruises.
• Volendam: June 19, 2021. Canceled are the 14-day Adriatic Dream cruise and the 24-day Adriatic Dream and Greek Odyssey Collectors’ Voyage departing the same date. 
• Westerdam: June 19, 2021. The 12-day Greece and Adriatic Antiquities cruise and the 24-day Adriatic Antiquities and Mediterranean Romance Collectors’ Voyage also departing the same date.

Rebook Your Cruise in 2022

Holland America Line is notifying all guests and travel agents. Those currently booked on the canceled Europe departures will be able to rebook on a comparable cruise in 2022 and keep their 2021 fare. All cash and Future Cruise Credit funds will be moved to the new booking. 

If someone decides not to accept a cruise booking in 2022 by April 15, 2021, they will automatically default to receive a Future Cruise Credit of 110% of any cash paid on the booking. The minimum FCC is $25 and the maximum will be an amount up to the base cruise fare paid.

Or Request a Full Refund Option

Guests who prefer a 100% refund of money paid to Holland America Line should complete the online Cancellation Preferences Form no later than April 15, 2021. 

Non-cruise fare purchases like airfare, dining, spa and shore excursions, will be transferred to the new booking or automatically refunded to the method of payment used to purchase the services.

Holland America Line had already extended cancellations on global cruise operations for all departures on all ships through April 30, 2021. All departures sailing to or from a Canadian port for all of 2021.

Holland America Line is closely following the protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other authorities and is preparing ships and implementing procedures to meet all requirements for approval once a restart date is determined. 

Princess Cruise Cancellation Update

It was only a couple of months ago that Princess extended their cruise operations into 2021. Now, the cruise line has again extended its pause of cruises for a longer period and casts a wider net. This time it covers cruises bound to the Caribbean, California Coast, Mexico and the Mediterranean through June 30, 2021.

Three ships and voyages affected by this latest cruise suspension include these sailings:

• Caribbean Princess: Seven-day Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises
• Enchanted Princess: Seven-day Mediterranean & Adriatic, seven-day Western Mediterranean, and 14-day Western Mediterranean & Adriatic Medley
• Ruby Princess: Seven-day Classic California Coast, seven-day Mexican Riviera, and five-day Cabo San Lucas Getaway sailings

For guests booked on a canceled voyage, Princess will offer to move guests to the equivalent cruise in 2022. The rebooking process will have the added benefit of protecting the guests’ 2021 fare on their 2022 voyage. Alternatively, guests can choose a future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 10% of the cruise fare paid (minimum $25USD) or a full refund to the original form of payment.

Requests must be received by April 15, 2021 or guests will automatically receive the FCC option. FCCs can be used on any cruises booked by and sailing by December 31, 2022.