RCI-Royal Caribbean cancels January 2021 Australia and New Zealand cruises

   November 11, 2020 ,   Cruise Industry

RCI-Royal Caribbean International announced it had cancelled Australia and New Zealand voyages on/before January 31, 2021.

Passengers on affected sailings in January 2021 have begun receiving emails about the change. The new set of cancellations applies to sailings from Australia and New Zealand through January 31, 2021.

Royal Caribbean International had planned to resume cruises on January 1, 2021, but announced it had to cancel the sailings to prepare for its new health protocols.

"Royal Caribbean International will be extending our suspension of sailings, beyond that of the Australian government’s, to include sailings departing Australia and New Zealand on or before 31 January 2021. This is to allow guests booked on January sailings to make alternative holiday arrangements."

Passengers who were booked on affected cruises will receive emails with compensation offers along with choices of what to do.

Spectrum Of The Seas cruise ship

Guests on the cancelled voyages have the choice of 3 compensation offers:

  • 125% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to book a new voyage by December 31, 2021, for cruises on/before April 30, 2022. 
  • Lift & Shift. Guests can select next year’s voyage with the same sailing length, itinerary type, stateroom category, as well as within the same 4-week window of the original date, and can take their existing reservation and move it to next year. Customers have to decide to move to a new cruise by November 25, 2020. If not, the cruise line automatically issues a 125% FCC.
  • Refund. Those who prefer a cash refund can do so by requesting the option on/before March 31, 2021. They can expect a refund to the original form of payment within 45 days from the date of cancellation.