TORONTO — Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and Hurtigruten have announced that their ships will not be back at sea until mid-May.
BAHAMAS PARADISE CRUISE LINE
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, which initially suspended operations until April 10, says it has cancelled sailings through May 6. The company says it will now resume operations on May 8.
“At Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, the wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always our top priority. While we understand that this news is disappointing for many of our valued guests, we believe that further suspension is necessary to ensure their continued safety during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Oneil Khosa, the company’s CEO.
Khosa says Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line has been in contact with all affected guests and is offering a 125% percent Future Cruise Credit for all guests booked on a cancelled sailing.
Future Cruise Credits will automatically update in the cruise line’s system, and the company says guests are only required to call customer service to transfer their cruise to any future sailing date through December 31, 2021.
Guests who wish to receive a refund are entitled to 100% of their two-night cruise or Cruise & Stay package price, including taxes, fees, charges, and any pre-paid amenity or package.
HURTIGRUTEN
Hurtigruten has extended its temporary suspension of operations worldwide, cancelling all expedition cruises until May 12.
“The situation is affecting virtually everyone in one way or another. Hurtigruten is no exception,” says CEO Daniel Skjeldam. “This is a setback for us, for the local communities we work with and for our guests. But the setback is only temporary.”
In addition to the cancellation of cruises scheduled before May 12, the company says its Alaska expedition cruise season will be postponed to July due to new travel restrictions from Canadian authorities. This means that the May 17, May 31, June 12, June 24 and July 1 MS Roald Amundsen Alaska departures will be cancelled.
Operations on the Norwegian coast will be suspended through May 20. As of now, the first scheduled round trip departure from Bergen will be on May 21.
Guests who have their voyages cancelled because of the temporary suspension of operations will be offered a Hurtigruten Future Cruise Voucher in the amount of 125% of amounts paid (including fees). They will also get a 10% discount on any future Hurtigruten cruise – Expedition or Norwegian Coast – from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2021.
Even though they are not affected by the temporary suspension of operations, guests booked on voyages through Sept. 30, 2020 will be offered the same rebooking flexibility.
While Hurtigruten waits to welcome guests back, it is putting its ships to good use. In agreement with the Norwegian Ministry of Transport, the newly upgraded MS Richard With and MS Vesterålen are busy bringing critical supplies and goods to local Norwegian communities hard hit by travel restrictions.
