Royal Caribbean has issued a new update for future cruise-goers, promising added protecting for their holiday. The cruise line has further extended its “Cruise with Confidence” policy for all cruises including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara.
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The protective measure is now applicable to all newly booked cruise holidays right up until April 2022.
However, the cruises must be booked on or before September 30, 2020.
For its luxury cruise arm, Silversea, the “Cruise with Confidence” policy has been extended up until April 30 2021.
“Guests are reacting positively to our Cruise with Confidence policy,” said Royal Caribbean Group chairman and CEO Richard Fain.
“It enables them to make informed decisions and to better manage complicated travel plans during this unprecedented time of uncertainty.
“We want our guests to feel they can safely keep their existing cruise bookings or schedule new sailings because this policy gives them more freedom and flexibility.”
The added protection means that guests can choose to cancel their cruise up to 48 hours prior to sailing and be eligible for a full credit of the cruise fare for a future cruise.
Royal Caribbean is also offering a “Best Price Guarantee”, which lets customers take advantage of a better price right up until 48 hours prior to their departure date.
In order to claim, holidaymakers simply have to give the cruise line a call.
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Royal Caribbean explains: “You’ll receive the difference as a non-refundable onboard credit inside final payment or rate adjustment outside final payment.”
The cruise operator is also offering guests the chance to “lift and shift”, which allows them to move their departure date to the following year free of charge.
Peter Shanks, Silversea’s managing director for UK, Ireland, Middle East & Africa, said: “Extending ‘Cruise with Confidence’ continues to demonstrate our commitment to our travel advisor partners, as we continue to protect their commission in the event of cancellations.”
He also added hope for the future when sailings resume.
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“There are definite green shoots ahead as our regular cruisers yearn to get back to sea. Proving most popular are our ‘closer to home’ destinations in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe,” said Mr Shanks.
Royal Caribbean currently anticipates it will resume operations on October 1, 2020, for the “majority” of its fleet.
However, it notes: “Circumstances have extended the suspension for some ships and sailings.”
Azamara and Celebrity Cruises have currently cancelled all sailings on or before September 30, 2020.
Meanwhile, Silversea has plans to resume its opulent offering starting on September 5, 2020.
The Royal Caribbean Group also recently joined forces with Norwegian Cruise Line to develop new standards for the industry.
The companies hope to find new ways to enhance the health and hygiene measures currently implemented on big-name cruises.
A panel of experts, dubbed the “Health Sail Panel” will put out its initial recommendations for new health and hygiene protocols by the end of August.
The panel is made up of a team of cruise experts, plus science and medical professionals.
“This unprecedented disease requires us to develop unprecedented standards in health and safety,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group.
“Bringing aboard these respected experts to guide us forward demonstrates our commitment to protecting our guests, our crews and the communities we visit.”
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