Norwegian Cruise Line Extends Suspension through September

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which includes Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas, is extending its sailing suspension through Sept. 30, 2020 for most sailings for all three of its cruise brands, the company said in an announcement on Tuesday.

The cancellations include almost all of its sailings, as well as October 2020 Canada and New England Sailings, including sailings on Bliss, Joy, Breakaway, and Gem, and on Oceania Insignia and Regent Seven Seas Navigator.

Norwegian also said that the cancellations exclude Seattle to Alaska based September sailings on Norwegian Joy and Bliss, which it said it will continue to leave scheduled to operate at the moment. Norwegian expects to be able to resume those voyages in September, though things could change depending on government regulations.  

The decision to extend the suspensions was made in tandem with health officials, including with the CDC and other federal officials, and NCLH said that it will continue to work with those officials going forward.

“Despite the further delay, we remain optimistic and expect to relaunch cruise operations in the near future,” NCLH said in a statement to its travel advisor partners. “Given the fluid and evolving nature of the circumstances, we are making decisions as quickly and thoughtfully as possible and, as always, we are keeping our guests’ and travel partners’ best interests at heart.” 

All guests will automatically be credited with a future cruise credit (FCC) of 125% the fare paid. The FCC can be used for anytime within one year of issuing date toward any sailing through Dec. 31, 2022. 

Travel advisor commissions for all impacted bookings paid in full during the suspension period will also be protected.