Due to continuing concerns about the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus, Norwegian Cruise Line announced it will cancel all Asia-bound voyages of Norwegian Spirit between now and December 2020. This comes just days after the company revealed that a labor strike was going to delay the ship’s return to service following an extensive drydock.
A memo, sent to travel agents and potential passengers booked on upcoming NCL Spirit sailings, says that "due to growing concerns regarding coronavirus in Asia, all Norwegian Spirit sailings from April 15, 2020, through December 7, 2020, operating in Asia have been cancelled."
The note goes on to say that a full refund would be issued. It continues that, as a goodwill gesture, NCL had arranged for a future cruise credit, worth 10% toward a future cruise, to be issued.
The cruise company would also cover up to US$300 per person in any airfare change fees associated with the voyage, provided proper receipts were filed.
Norwegian Spirit is in the final stages of a USD 100 million drydock refurbishment which is expected to see nearly every public space onboard the ship redone. During the refit, 14 new venues are to be added, including some of NCL’s most popular restaurants and bars.
The cancellations call into question what itinerary the renovated Norwegian Spirit will wind up sailing.
For Coronavirus updates on cruise ship quarantines (infected passengers and crew) and top-pandemic countries (COVID-19 cases and deaths, daily updated statistics) see at CruiseMapper's Norovirus page.