Princess Cruises issued a major update that impacts 2021 sailings in the wake of the pandemic.
The Carnival Corporation-owned company announced it had enhanced its "Cruise with Confidence" program. Princess said it wanted to make sure its guests had more peace of mind.
With the line's "Book with Confidence" policy, passengers already have the option to cancel their voyage for any reason up to 30 days prior to the sailing date. They can receive an FCC (future cruise credit) for any cancellation fees along with a refund of additional funds received.
Now, as an enhancement to the line's policy, passengers can cancel and receive the same benefit of the future cruise credit and refund in case they test positive for COVID within 30 days of the embarkation date.
Princess has also added a "COVID-19 Protection Programme" to assist passengers who, as a result of being suspected of having the virus or testing positive, have their trip canceled or interrupted, which should add an additional layer of comfort for those who are within thirty days of embarkation all the way through to disembarkation.
The line's "Cruise with Confidence" program applies to any bookings made by June 30, 2021, on sailings departing up to December 31, 2021.
Ahead of the voyage, guests can receive an FCC for 100% of the cancellation fees as well as a refund to the original form of payment for the additional money received, including pre-paid experiences and shore trips purchased through Princess. This is applicable for passengers and their travel party in the same cabin if any passenger tests positive for COVID within 30 days prior to embarkation or who may be denied boarding for a COVID-related reason.
Once onboard, passengers are eligible for an FCC worth 100 % of the per-day fare for the missed days and a refundable credit to the onboard account for missed pre-paid onboard experiences and shore trips purchased through the line.
Onboard COVID-related visits to the ship's Infirmary (medical center) and testing of suspected COVID cases is free of charge.
On land, Princess Cruises' passengers can get reimbursement of expenses, not covered by insurance policies, for COVID-related medical care including during the medically required quarantine period for travellers and their immediate travel party in case of any such passenger(s) test positive for COVID-19 during their voyage.
This includes air change fees in case onward travel plans have to change.