With the spread of coronavirus, travel
companies are relaxing cancellation and change policies.
The Globus family of brands (Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and
Avalon Waterways) instituted a temporary policy for 2020 travel allowing
travelers with existing bookings or deposits on Globus vacations to move to any
of its other brands, destinations or itineraries in 2020 or 2021 without
penalty, prior to final payment.
The Globus brands are also temporarily waiving cancellation
penalties until 30 days prior to departure.
“With the safety, security and peace-of-mind of our
travelers as our primary goal, we believe in giving them more time and
flexibility with their travel decisions,” said Scott Nisbet, CEO of the Globus
family of brands. “Traveling the world is a joyful experience and we want to do
our part to keep the anticipation stress-free.”
Windstar Cruises rolled out a new policy allowing
cancellation on short notice.
The Travel Assurance Booking Policy applies to bookings departing on or
after June 1. Passengers can cancel up to 15 days before sailing without
incurring a fee. Windstar will automatically apply the policy to new and
existing cruises departing from June 1 to Dec. 31, 2021.
Travelers who cancel up to 15 days prior to departure will
receive a 100% future cruise credit to be used on another cruise within one
year of the issue date of the credit.
Norwegian Cruise Line
said in a note to travel advisors: “We understand that your clients may be
hesitant to plan or confirm their vacation, but we encourage them to get out
there and experience the world aboard the best vessels at sea.”
To provide “some
reassurance,” Norwegian temporarily modified its final payment and cancellation
polices to the following:
• Final payment for all June and July voyages will not be due
until 90 days prior to sailing.
• Up until 60 days prior to sailing, Norwegian will allow a
transfer of the reservation to any other cruise that departs on or before June
30, 2020. The transfer voyage must be of equal or greater value, prevailing
rates will apply, and penalties will be waived.
• If a guest chooses not to sail, the name change restriction
will be waived up to 45 days prior to sailing. Name changes will be permitted
for the cruise reservation only and excludes flight arrangements through
Norwegian Cruise Line and/or pre-purchased travel protection.
• Guests with non-ticketed Norwegian Cruise Line air may make
name changes.
• Guests with ticketed air may make name changes but will
incur a penalty and possibly air change fee, if either is assessed by the
airlines.
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