Carnival Cruise line is changing its cancellation policy in a bid to provide certainty and flexibility for passengers in the wake of the new Omicron variant outbreaks worldwide.
Guests on trips departing from now through Jan. 14 will be able to reschedule or cancel their tickets without incurring any cancellation costs.
In either instance, travelers will receive help from Carnival Cruise staff to complete the process.
“We recognize that given the circumstances, some of our guests may want to consider sailing at a different time,” said Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy in a letter emailed to all passengers with itineraries scheduled on the targeted dates.
It’s unclear whether customers who booked their trips after Jan. 14 will get a similar deal.
The missive includes other modifications to the cancellation policy along with new COVID-19 protocols every guest must now observe.
The company is very aware that in case of a COVID-19 outbreak inside the cruise ship, local authorities may refuse to allow them to disembark.
If that happens and it has, passengers will not receive any monetary compensation for missed ports.
According to Duffy the company is prepared “to actively manage the situation, protect guest and crew health, and operate your cruise.”
“We want you to know that we may encounter a decision by local authorities at a destination to limit or deny the ship from entering the port,” if that happens they promise to their “best to find an alternative destination.”
The CEO, on the other hand, is categorical in her statement that “there will be no compensation for a missed port.”
As per COVID-19 guidelines, the letter further emphasizes that everyone must wear a mask indoors at all times save when in their private rooms or “actively” eating or drinking.
“As a reminder, all our crew wears masks at all times, are fully vaccinated, and are receiving booster shots when eligible,” it goes on to say that “nearly all” passengers have been vaccinated, and that anyone two years old and above must submit a negative COVID test to be permitted boarding.