Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line to be rebranded Margaritaville at Sea
Grand Classica, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line

More suspensions announced for BPCL, Celestyal and Costa

TORONTO — Three more cruise lines have extended their pause in operations due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, Celestyal Cruises and Costa have all adjusted their dates.

More information is below…

BAHAMAS PARADISE CRUISE LINE

Sailings onboard the Grand Celebration have been pushed back to July 25, from June 13, while sailings onboard Grand Classica will resume on Oct. 3, from July 10.

The cruise line’s Cruise & Stay Program, which lets guests extend their stay in the Bahamas for up to four nights at one of its resort partners, will be available for bookings beginning Oct. 3.

In anticipation of its return to the seas, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line has implemented several new health and safety protocols for guest accommodations, common areas, recreational facilities, food hygiene and more. These include closing two-passenger stateroom decks to reduce crowds, limiting the number of in-use staterooms to reduce onboard capacity by 40%, and a two-tier sanitization process in all public areas.

CELESTYAL CRUISES

Celestyal is further suspending its sailings by a month until July 30, 2020, from June 29.

The Greek government recently announced the gradual reopening of the Greek tourism season in the next few weeks, with international flights from select countries resuming in July. Celestyal will continue to monitor the phased opening of Greece to North American travellers.

For all named and paid individual guests impacted by the suspension, Celestyal is offering a future cruise credit valued at 120% of the original booking value. Guests will have until the end of December 2021 to redeem their FCC against any of Celestyal’s itineraries through the end of December 2022.

Should guests choose not to redeem their FCC by the end of December 2021, they will automatically receive a full refund equal to the original amount paid to Celestyal upon the voucher’s expiration.

Moreover, Celestyal will automatically send the FCC voucher directly to guests or their travel agents, eliminating the need to call the Contact Center other than to rebook.

It has also updated its ‘Peace of Mind’ policy, allowing guests to change any cruise that sets sail from now through Dec. 31, 2021. This applies to new bookings made until Aug. 31, 2020; as long as the booking is changed at least 30 days prior to the sail date, an FCC for 100% of the value received by Celestyal will be issued. The credit can be used towards any cruise that sets sail through Dec. 31, 2022.

COSTA

Costa has announced that cruises will be paused until July 31, 2020, two months later than its previously announced date of May 31.

The decision, says the cruise line, is linked to the uncertainty of a gradual reopening of ports to cruise ships as well as the restrictions that may still be in place for the movement of people due to the pandemic.

Travel agents and guests are being informed of the changes. Impacted guests will be guaranteed a re-protection in accordance with the applicable legislation.

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