Scenic and Emerald Waterways has further extended its cruising and touring suspension until 31 August, but has pledged to protect agent commissions on cancelled bookings.
The latest advice applies to all river and ocean cruises, and land tours across the Scenic Group. All Scenic Eclipse sailings, meanwhile, have been suspended until 30 September.
Guests will be offered "flexible" future travel credits with up to three years’ validity, including a 10% rebooking bonus for guests booked on affected cruises.
Colin Downing, Scenic Group’s UK managing director, said: “Our top priority is to ensure our guests and employees are able to travel safely before we resume operations.
"Although we have seen some easing of national lockdowns, the restrictions on travel still vary considerably from country to country and it is sadly impossible for us to operate our scheduled departures up to 31 August.”
Scenic’s flexible future travel credit is valued at 110% of monies deposited on any affected river and cruise booking, and 100% on any affected land tours.
This credit can be applied to any new or existing booking across the Scenic brand portfolio until 30 June 2023. Guests unable to travel by 30 June 2023 will be given a refund. The credit is also fully transferrable to another guest.
The group also confirmed agent agent commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that have been paid in full would be protected, and for the total amount of the future travel credits.
Downing added: “We are endeavouring to do the right thing by the guest by offering them the chance to re-book their suspended cruise or take a future travel credit, which has a long validity date to offer maximum flexibility.
"We have also generously enhanced the future travel credit to above the value of the original cruise booked. If they choose not to take up these offers, we are happy to refund them. We are working hard to keep the cash in the industry and protect agents’ commission.”
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