P&O and Princess extend Aussie cruise pause beyond February 2022

Adelaide, Australia - March 5, 2015: P&O Pacific Jewel cruise ship is docked at Port Adelaide to pick up passengers, Outer Harbour, South Australia

Two Carnival-owned cruise lines have advised further extensions to their Australian cruises as uncertainty around the country’s return to sailing continues.

P&O Cruises Australia has extended its voluntary pause in operations for a further month until mid-February next year, applicable to cruises scheduled to depart from 15 January 2022 to 14 February 2022.

P&O’s regional president, Sture Myrmell, said the voluntary pause had been extended because of the absence of a clear pathway for a return to cruising in Australia.

“We are naturally disappointed for our guests and our many suppliers to have to extend the pause in operations by a further month,” he said.

“With society rapidly reopening including social gathering and travel just weeks away, there is a vital need for a pathway for the staged resumption of domestic cruising.”

In August, the cruise line revealed both passengers and crew members would need to provide proof of vaccination before boarding its ships when they begin sailing again.

Meanwhile, Princess Cruises has extended its pause in cruise vacations in Australia and New Zealand to 14 March 2022, with four sailings on Coral Princess cancelled as a result.

Guests booked on a cancelled cruise have the option to move to an equivalent cruise. The rebooking process will have the added benefit of protecting the guests’ fare on their replacement cruise.

Alternatively, guests can choose a future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to 100 per cent of the cruise fare paid, plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 10 per cent of the cruise fare paid (minimum $25) or a full refund to the original form of payment.

Requests must be received through this online form by 17 November 2021 or guests will automatically receive the FCC option. FCCs can be used on any cruises booked by 31 December 2022 and sailing by 30 April 2023.

The line said it would protect travel agent commission on bookings that were paid in full in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line’s business and success.

Featured image source: iStock/moisseyev

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