Ukraine crisis and Covid prompt more cruise cancellations
Will PayneHolland America Line (HAL), Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Cunard are the latest cruise lines to be forced to alter or cancel sailings due to Covid-19 and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
The City of Rotterdam has extended its charter agreement for HAL’s Volendam until 14 September, forcing the line to cancel six departures to Norway, the British Isles and the Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, NCL has cancelled Norwegian Dawn’s voyages from 2 July until 28 July 2023 and Norwegian Getaway’s Baltic sailings through 26 October 2023.
Volendam has been home to around 1,200 Ukrainians since it docked in Rotterdam in early April and will house up to 1,500 refugees through the extended charter, part of a larger commitment from the Netherlands to accommodate 50,000 people who fled the war in their homeland.
The government originally chartered the ship through the end of June but has asked to extend for an additional 10 weeks. Under the agreement, HAL is providing hot meals, private stateroom accommodations, housekeeping services, laundry, use of public spaces, fitness facilities, internet access and other necessities.
Guests on cancelled cruises will automatically be rebooked on similar itineraries and do not need to contact HAL as the cruise line will reach out directly with options.
"We are sorry for the inconvenience this will cause to guests booked on Volendam through the summer," said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer of HAL. "We appreciate their continued understanding as we work with the city of Rotterdam on this important mission."
Volendam’s first scheduled voyage is a 14-day Holy Land and Ancient Kingdoms Explorer itinerary departing Venice on 24 September.
Meanwhile, NCL said Dawn’s and Getaway’s voyages have been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A spokesperson for the line said: "The safety and security of our guests, crew and the communities we visit is always our top priority.
"Due to the situation between Russia and Ukraine, we altered our ships’ itineraries in northern Europe and removed calls to Saint Petersburg from our 2022 sailings.
"In addition, we have cancelled Norwegian Getaway’s Baltic sailings through 26 October 2023, as well as Norwegian Dawn’s voyages from 2 July through and including 28 July 2023."
Elsewhere, Cunard said the continuing impact of Covid-19 on the hospitality and aviation sectors has forced the line to limit the number of guests onboard Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.
A spokesperson said: "The wider impact of Covid-19 is affecting hospitality and disrupting airlines, and as such this is impacting the number of crew members we are able to get to our ships.
"We naturally want to ensure that all guests across the fleet experience the high standards of service onboard that they would expect from Cunard and which we are committed to delivering. We are therefore limiting the number of guests sailing on Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria as we build crew numbers back up."
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