Royal Caribbean pushes sailing delays deeper into summer

Royal Caribbean Cruises is once again extending its suspension of sailing schedule until the beginning of August 2020.

In a press release published on April 16, the cruise line stated that it anticipated resuming sailings beginning June 12. However, in an updated statement on the company website posted on May 20, the company explained that it has decided to extend most sailings through July 31, 2020.

• See also: 
  • Cruise lines extending service suspension until Summer 2020
  • WestJet extends temperature screening across entire domestic network
  • Universal Orlando Resort to reopen to guests first week of June

“Given ongoing global public health circumstances, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has decided to extend the suspension of most sailings through July 31, 2020, with the exception of sailings from China, which will be suspended through the end of June,” the statement reads.

“We are working with our guests and travel partners to address this disruption to their vacations, and we are genuinely sorry for their inconvenience.”

As of this updated release, the cruise line now predicts that it will return to service starting August 1, 2020.

Royal Caribbean is not the only cruise line to extend its suspension of sailings, however.

Both Holland America and Princess Cruises decided to extend their temporary suspension of cruise services until the end of the Summer 2020 season.

As well, Holland America is offering passengers with pre-purchased sailings a 125% credit with the company towards a future sailing.

“As we continue to navigate through these unprecedented and challenging times, the best decision right now is to extend our pause in cruise operations into the fall,” the president of Holland America Line, Orlando Ashford, said in a statement on the cruise line’s blog.

“While this is very disappointing and we never want to let our guests down, as soon as it makes sense we will be back cruising again, giving our guests the memorable travel experiences they continue to dream about.”

Similarly, Princess Cruises is also providing customers with the option of either full refunds or a 125% credit towards a future voyage.

“It is with a heavy heart that Princess Cruises has made the extremely difficult decision to temporarily pause our global ship operations,” the company wrote on its website. “We know you were looking forward to sailing with us, and we apologize and share in your disappointment over these cancellations. You don’t need to take any action to receive the default compensation offer.”