January 27, 2020 - In China, the number of people who have died from the coronavirus is increasing. The Chinese central government has issued travel restrictions and the German Foreign Office also advises against traveling to the Hubei province. How do cruise companies react to the threat situation?
In the following we quote from an overview compiled by the news service "Cruise Industry News", New York:
Several cruise lines have canceled cruises out of mainland China. They therefore comply with the requirements issued by the Chinese central government to combat the disease. The following ships and cruise dates are affected:
Costa Serena: travel dates 25 to 31 January 2020,
Costa Atlantica: travel dates January 27 to 31, 2020,
Costa Venezia: travel dates from January 26th to February 2nd, 2020,
Costa neoRomantica: Travel dates from January 25 to February 2, 2020.
Costa neoRomantica in the port of Tamatave / Madagascar
MSC Splendida: Travel from Shanghai - travel dates January 28 to February 1, 2020.
Spectrum of the Seas - Royal Caribbean: Tour from Shanghai: Tour begins January 27, 2020.
World Dream - Dream Cruises / Genting - the cruise starting and ending in Guangzhou has been canceled. The company says it will not affect sea voyages out of Hong Kong.
Genting Dream - sister ship of World Dream in the port of Singapore
Possible compensations:
Costa offers booked guests whose cruises are canceled a full refund of the travel price. Passengers who book a trip on an alternative date by the end of 2020 will receive on-board credit of $ 50. MSC proceeds accordingly. No information is available about the amount of the on-board credit. The MSC Splendida will remain in the port of Shanghai for the duration of the canceled cruise.
The Chinese cruise market lives mainly from group travel. They were banned because of the virus. The measure also restricts group travel abroad. It is to be feared that group travel to Europe, Alaska and North America could be affected by the travel restrictions.
