Princess Cruises delays Enchanted Princess UK launch

Swartz stressed she was, however, hopeful Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess would still be able to offer round-trip cruises from Seattle to Alaska in the late summer.

She further revealed that owing to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Princess’s shipbuilding partners in Italy, the launch of the line’s newest ship, Enchanted Princess, would be delayed.

A Princess spokesperson added: "Princess Cruises confirms the delivery of Enchanted Princess is delayed. A new delivery date has not been determined since the Fincantieri yard in Monfalcone, Italy, remains closed. Voyages through July 31 have been cancelled.

"The delivery delay is due to the country-wide lockdown imposed by the Italian government and public health officials in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

"The naming ceremony scheduled to take place in Southampton on 30 June has been cancelled. Inaugural activities are under review in conjunction with changes to the ship deployment."

Agents play ’critical role’

"This global outbreak continues to challenge our world in unimaginable ways," said Swartz. "We recognise how disappointing this is to our long-term business partners and thousands of employees, many of whom have been with us in Alaska for decades.

"We hope everyone impacted by these cancellations – especially our guests, travel advisor partners, teammates, and the communities we visit – understand our decision to do our part to protect the safety, health and wellbeing of our guests and team. We look forward to the brighter days and smooth seas ahead for all of us."

Each ship will have a unique return to service date, said Princess. These are based on previously published cruise itineraries, with some modifications, departing after July 1.

Princess has vowed to protect agent commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises paid in full "in recognition of the critical role travel advisors play in the cruise line’s business and success".

Princess Cruises is offering two cancellation options:

• Guests currently booked on any cancelled voyages, who have paid in full, will receive a future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid and, as an added incentive, an additional 25% FCC. Guests must use their credits on a cruise that sails on or before 1 May 2022. No action is required for guests to receive this offer and they will be notified by email once the credits have been issued;
• Alternatively, guests can receive a full refund for all monies paid in full on their booking through this online form. Requests must be received by 31 May 2020, or they will receive the future cruise credit option. Guests who have not yet paid in full will receive a refund of all monies paid.