Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Wave of Sailings
by Dori Saltzman /Just when it seemed safe to book a cruise without worrying about cancellations, Norwegian Cruise Line has announced the cancellations of sailings onboard eight cruise ships, including some as far out as April 23, 2022. At the same time, the line is bringing Norwegian Pearl back to port after only two days.
Norwegian Pearl
Norwegian Pearl, which departed Miami on January 3 for an 11-day Panama Canal cruise is expected to arrive back to port today. A letter sent to passengers onboard indicated that “several” instances of COVID-19 positive cases were identified among the crew.
Guests will receive a full refund, as well as access to several re-booking bonuses including an FCC valued at 100% of the cruise fare paid that can be used for any voyage through May 31, 2023.
The ship’s next sailing on January 14 is scheduled to depart as normal.
Norwegian Getaway
Passengers scheduled to depart today on Norwegian Getaway awoke to the disappointing news that their cruise has been canceled “due to COVID-related circumstances.”
The ship had been scheduled to sail a nine-day Caribbean itinerary that included stops in Curacao, Aruba, and the Dominican Republic. Both Curacao and Aruba previously refused Royal Caribbean and Carnival ships entry in December when a tiny percentage of crew and passengers tested positive for COVID-19.
Passengers will receive a full refund.
The ship’s next sailing on January 14 is scheduled to depart as normal.
Norwegian Sky, Pride of America, Jade, Star, Sun, Spirit
Citing the “health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit,” Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled sailings on eight additional ships.
Cancellations include:
- All Norwegian Sky cruises with embarkation dates through and including February 25, 2022
- All Pride of America Hawaii cruises with embarkation dates through and including February 26, 2022
- All Norwegian Jade cruises with embarkation dates through and including March 3, 2022
- All Norwegian Star cruises with embarkation dates through and including March 19, 2022
- All Norwegian Sun cruises with embarkation dates through and including April 19, 2022
- All Norwegian Spirit cruises with embarkation dates through and including April 23, 2022
Affected passengers will automatically receive a refund of their cruise fare in the original form of payment for the amount paid. Additionally, a 10% off Future Cruise Credit will be added to their account as of January 7. This discount can be used to make a booking from January 7 through January 7, 2023, and can be applied towards any sailing through May 31, 2023.
For affected reservations paid using a previously issued Future Cruise Credit, the full value of the FCC will be re-applied to the passenger’s Latitudes account with seven days.