See our Advertiser Disclosure here.
This morning, Royal Caribbean officially canceled U.S. cruises through April 2021. Previously, Royal Caribbean had canceled cruises through February 2021. This announcement comes on the heels of similar announcements from other cruise lines.
Disney Cruise Line announced this morning the cancellation of cruises through March 31. Carnival announced last week the cancellation of cruises through March 31. In addition, some specific sailings were canceled in late spring and summer. Norwegian has cancelled cruises through March 31.
Princess just extended its cancellations through May 14, 2021. Historically, Princess has been the first to cancel and has announced later cancellations than other cruise lines.
These announcements mean that cruises will have been shut down in the U.S. for over a year.
The Cancellation Game
As I mentioned in my post the other day, I’m having serious doubts that my October cruise will happen. Even though there is no CDC No Sail Order right now, the logistics of cruising from the U.S. during the pandemic are complicated. Combined with the higher virus numbers and the slow rollout of the vaccine, cruising before fall is doubtful.
Yet, the cruise lines are still selling cruises. They’re also still selling shore excursions, drink packages and spa treatments to hopeful cruise fans. Why? They need the cash. Desperately.
So, the cruise lines will continue this song and dance, likely through the summer. Sell cruises, cancel cruises. Rinse and repeat.
Royal Caribbean even enticed me to buy some excursions for my 2022 cruise during a recent Cruise Planner sale. I bought CocoCay water park tickets for my boys at 50% off. If I can score some great deals on a cruise that I really hope will happen, I’ll go for it. But, I’m not investing any more money into a cruise in 2021. I’ll wait until the very last minute to make the final payment on our October cruise.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VARIOUS CREDIT CARDS AND AVAILABLE SIGN-UP BONUSES
Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Your logic on why cruise lines are doing the slow slide backward on dates makes a lot of sense. Cruise lines are in a nasty trap of their own making. They chose to register outside the US in order to avoid having to comply with US laws; now as foreign companies they’re ineligible for government aid like the airlines are (again) getting. Any of them could reflag to the US but aren’t doing so, as then they’d be responsible for paying minimum wage, become subject to lawsuits for gross negligence, following national labor laws, etc.. If I were high up in a cruise line, I would approach my “home” country for some financial assistance.
@Christian Yep, it’s complicated for the cruise lines for sure!
“Sir, would you like a refund or a 125% future cruise credit good through 2021?
Refund.
Best decision ever.
Great decision!