CORONAVIRUS TRAVEL ADVICE

Below is a update on the current cruise line policies, in relation to Coronavirus. This is not a complete overview, and we recommend calling us on 02380 714 790 for any concerns relating to your booking with Ocean World Travel.

Last Updated: 31 March 2020 at 10:00

As countries respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including travel and border restrictions, the FCO advises British nationals against all but essential international travel. Any country or area may restrict travel without notice. We will be in contact with all our guests affected by this, but if you have questions in the meantime, please contact us if you are travelling in the next 30 days.

APT

The safety and wellbeing of our guests and employees is of our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation. Travel to all countries is now being affected in some way, with many changing their border control and entry policies, health screening and some with complete entry restrictions.

Based on this, we have made the difficult decision to suspend all our International tours up to and including 31 May 2020. This is an unprecedented time and as such we are offering the following flexibility to guests with bookings during this time to be able to continue to travel with us. A future holiday credit equal to 120% of the value of the booking to be valid up until the end of 2021. It will be applicable for multiple bookings and the credit can be partly transferred to a person accompanying clients on an alternative trip. Otherwise it is not transferable to another person, nor is it redeemable for cash.

UK 2020 Travel – Temporary deferment policy
• Cruise (River or Ocean) Bookings: Bookings wishing to postpone/defer their 2020 travel, can do so anytime up to 14 days prior to departure, and funds paid will be held as a future holiday credit for use in either 2020, 2021 or 2022 with a change fee of £125pp. Any 3rd party fees, including airline change fees will be applicable.
• Touring including Rail and Cruise Bookings: Bookings wishing to postpone/defer their 2020 travel, can do so anytime up to 30 days prior to departure, and funds paid will be held as a future holiday credit for use in either 2020, 2021 or 2022 with a change fee of UK £125pp. Any 3rd party fees, including airline change fees will be applicable.
• Bookings – Deposited for travel in 2020: All booking wishing to amend their 2020 travel, can do so and the deposit paid can be used towards any trip in 2020 or 2021 with a change fee of £50 per booking. Any 3rd party fees, including airline change fees will be applicable.
All bookings wishing to postpone/defer their 2020 travel, can do so and the deposit paid will be held as a future holiday credit to be used towards any trip in 2020, 2021 or 2022 with a change fee of £125pp. Any 3rd party fees, including airline change fees will be applicable.
• Bookings wishing to be cancelled – departing anytime: Normal fees apply as per our terms and conditions.

Azamara

At Azamara, the safety and well-being of our guests and crew are always our top priorities. After further review, we have decided to extend our global suspension and as a result, we anticipate to resume operations after 11 May 2020.

We’re currently working directly with guests as well as travel advisors impacted by this temporary disruption. As a result of this change, if you’re scheduled to sail with us before May 11th, you will receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit to come back and sail with us by December 31, 2021. Or, if you prefer the lower value in a full refund, we’re happy to process this for you. Given how fluid this situation is, and the opportunity to use the extra credit being offered, you have plenty of time to make up your mind. You do not need to request your refund until December 31, 2021.

Celebrity Cruises

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. We have now suspended all global sailings through May 11, 2020. In addition, due to port closures, we are suspending Alaska sailings through July 1, 2020; and Canada/New England sailings departing May 19th, May 28th and June 16th will be modified. We understand the severity of the public health crisis confronting us around the world and want to ensure that we play our part and take appropriate action. We are working with all guests impacted by these changes and appreciate the patience and understanding of all those involved during these unprecedented times.

For impacted sailings, compensation of 125% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) will be processed automatically. Future Cruise Credit is good through December 31st, 2021. If you prefer to forfeit the higher value of the 125% Future Cruise Credit for all of the guests in your reservation and instead accept a 100% refund, you may contact us anytime up until the expiration date of your FCC.

If you pre-booked any shore excursions, beverage, internet, specialty dining or other onboard packages, through Celebrity Cruises, you will have the option of receiving 125% Onboard Credit (OBC) to be used on your next sailing, or you may choose a 100% refund.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages

Due to the escalating global pandemic outbreak of the Covid-19 coronavirus, updated Government advisories and the impending lockdown of many ports around the world, Cruise & Maritime Voyages has confirmed the temporary suspension of all worldwide cruise operations for embarkations taking place from Friday 13 March 2020 for six weeks until Friday 24 April 2020.

Under ABTA's latest guidelines, all affected passengers will be offered an attractive future cruise credit of 125% of the value of their cruise. This credit can be used against the best deal of the day including the current 2021 Buy One Get One Free Offers & 2020 late saver deals. Passengers that opt to transfer will also enjoy a special 20% discount against CMV's Onboard Additions beverage packages, plus a 10% shore excursion discount and a one cabin category upgrade (subject to availability).

The future cruise credit can be used to purchase any published cruise featured in CMV's 2020 & 2021 cruise programs and must be booked by 31st October 2020.

If this option does not suit affected passengers requirements at this time, please register for a full refund which will be processed in due course.

Cunard

Cunard and P&O Cruises are extending their pause in operations up to and including 15 May 2020 as a result of the continued impact of COVID-19 and following global guidelines.

For all guests impacted by this temporary suspension, Cunard will provide a 125% Future Cruise Credit. This Future Cruise Credit will be applied automatically to your guest account for use on a Cunard voyage departing before 31 March 2022 so you do not need to contact us to have it added. Guests who would prefer a 100% cash refund should fill out the form which has been emailed directly to you.

Emerald Cruises

Emerald Cruises has made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend all river cruises operations for guests embarking from now until to 30 April 2020. We have updated our cancellation policy to allow guests more time to make decisions about upcoming travel with Emerald Cruises.

We want to assure you that your travel plans will be protected, and are providing the following options;

If you hold a river cruise reservation during this period, you can either:

• Receive a 125% Future Travel Credit for the full value of the trip to be used for a river or ocean cruise within the next 24 months based on their date of cancellation,

• Receive a full refund of the value of your Scenic booking

The situation in South East Asia has also escalated significantly in recent days, with several Governments restricting access to ports and points of disembarkation along the Mekong River. It is no longer possible for Emerald to continue cruise operations in this region and therefore, we have cancelled the remaining river cruises for this season up to mid-May and the same above offer applies.

Our cancellation policy for guests with bookings departing from 1 May to 31 May 2020

For any guest departing from 1 May to 31 May 2020, Emerald will waive all of our cancellation fees with the value of the bookings applied as a future travel credit. We are allowing guests to change or transfer their booking up to 14 days prior to departure for river and ocean cruise bookings, and up to 30 days prior to travel for land tours.

For current river cruise, ocean cruise and land journey 2020 bookings departing 1 May to 31 May 2020, the future travel credit is valid for travel up to 31 December 2021.

Our cancellation policy for guests with bookings from 1 June 2020 to 31 December 2020

All currently booked guests with a departure on or after 1 June 2020 and guests considering a booking after that date, have the option to transfer their booking to an alternate departure without penalty*, up to 30 days prior to departure. Emerald will waive all cancellation fees with the value of the booking applied as a future travel credit. Any third party fees at the guests own expense. This allows guests more time to make decisions about future travel plans.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has taken the difficult decision to pause our cruise operations for a period of time, as many other cruise operators have already done. This is in light of the recent announcement from the UK Government which advises those aged over 70, or with underlying health issues, not to take cruise holidays. It is our intention to resume our cruises on the 23^rd May 2020.

We will be contacting every guest personally to explain the situation and discuss their options. We are offering a full refund or a voucher which can be used to buy any future cruise costing up to 125% of the original fare.

We have also taken the decision to cancel Brabant’s R2001 sailing “Floral Holland in the Spring”, due to depart on 6th April 2020 and R2002 “History of the Rhine & Main”, due to depart on 16th April 2020. All Brabant 2020 cruises departing after 25th April are currently scheduled to sail as planned.

MSC Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line

With the virus impacting communities around the globe, we have decided after collaboration with federal officials to voluntarily suspend cruise voyages across our fleet, effective immediately. We are extending the suspension of all sailings across our fleet through May 10, 2020 and plan to relaunch cruise operations with embarkations beginning May 11, 2020

Guests who were booked on suspended cruises will automatically receive a 125% or 150% refund (depending on the original cruise date) of their cruise fare in the form of a Future Cruise Credit which can be applied towards any Norwegian Cruise Line voyage through December 31, 2022. Future Cruise Credits will be applied to your account by April 1, 2020.

• Cruises with embarkation dates from March 13 to March 17, 2020 will receive 150%
• Cruises with embarkation dates from March 18 to May 10, 2020 will receive 125%

We’re also giving an additional 20% discount when you book by April 14, 2020 using your Future Cruise Credit on cruises embarking July 1, 2020 - December 31, 2022!

Guests who do not prefer to take advantage of a future cruise credit will receive a refund to be payable within 90 days of request after submitting this form. Refund requests must be submitted by no later than 45 days after the voyage cancellation notification (i.e. refund requests must be submitted by April 27, 2020 for suspended sailings between March 13 – April 11, 2020). Please note that if your suspended sailing was scheduled to embark between April 12 - May 10, 2020, you will not be able to request your refund through this form until April 13, 2020.

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises are extending their pause in operations up to and including 15 May 2020 as a result of the continued impact of COVID-19 and following global guidelines.

Guests will be given a 125% Future Cruise Credit to be used for a future cruise sailing any time before the end of March 2022. You must simply book by 31 December 2021. Alternatively, you can apply for a refund. It will take up to 45 days to process the refund, which will be refunded directly to you.

For all bookings departing before 31 August 2020, these are your options:

Transferring your booking

You have the option of transferring your holiday to an alternative date should you wish, and you can do this up to 48 hours before departure. Under our temporary highly flexible terms, you can choose to transfer your holiday to any sailing within our published programme. Any holiday, anywhere!

Cancelling your holiday

Should you wish to cancel your holiday, you’ll be pleased to know we’ve temporarily relaxed our cancellation policy given the circumstances. Here’s a guide to what you need to know:

• If you’re booked on a P&O Cruises holiday sailing before 31 August 2020, you may now cancel up to 48 hours prior to departure
• Cancelled bookings will receive a Future Cruise Credit equivalent to the cancellation fees and refunds will be given on any remaining monies paid – please contact us for details on this
• Your Future Cruise Credit can be used right up to the end of next year (31 December 2021) and can be redeemed against any P&O Cruises holiday sailing until the end of March 2022

Princess Cruises

In proactive response to the unpredictable circumstances evolving from the global spread of COVID-19 and in an abundance of caution, Princess Cruises announced that it will voluntarily pause global operations of its 18 cruise ships for two months (60 days), impacting voyages departing March 12 to May 10. Princess plans to resume Cruise Operations on May 11, 2020.

For those who are impacted by this decision, Princess is offering guests the opportunity to transfer 100% of the money paid for their cancelled cruise to a future cruise of their choice. To add a bonus incentive for guests to accept this offer, the company will add an additional generous future cruise credit benefit which can be applied to the cruise fare. In addition, Princess will honor this offer for those guests who had made final payment and cancelled their booking on or after January 30, 2020. The future cruise credit can be used on any voyage departing through May 1, 2022.

If the future cruise credit option does not work for some guests, they will be able to complete an online form to request a cash refund. Pleas call 02380 714 790 for more details.

Riviera Travel

You may have heard the recent announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson with regards to "over 70-year-olds with serious medical conditions" travelling on “cruises”. In light of the extraordinary level of travel restrictions that are currently in place around the world we have taken the decision to suspend our river cruise and tours programme up to and including 23rd April 2020.

Rest assured this was not a decision we took lightly, but your wellbeing and that of our team overseas is our number one priority. We are very sorry for the hassle and inconvenience that this will cause, but we are pleased to be able to offer customers due to travel with us during that time the following options:

River Cruises

• Transfer to an alternative river cruise during 2020. If you choose an equivalent river cruise and it's more expensive than the price you’ve paid already, we’ll waive any extra costs.
• Transfer to any 2021 river cruise departing up to 30th November 2021. If your chosen cruise is more expensive than the price you’ve paid already, we’ll waive up to £200 of any extra costs.

Or if you need a little extra time to decide, we are happy to offer you a credit voucher with an extra £200 added on. You can use your voucher towards any river cruise departing up to 30th November 2021.

Escorted Tours

• Transfer to an alternative during 2020. If you choose an alternative that is more expensive than the price you’ve paid already, we’ll waive up to £100 of any extra costs. If you re-book a City Break, we’ll waive up to £50 of any extra costs.
• Transfer to an alternative during 2021. If your chosen alternative is more expensive than the price you’ve paid already, we’ll waive up to £100 of any extra costs. If you re-book a City Break, we’ll waive up to £50 of any extra costs.

Or if you need a little extra time to decide or your preferred alternative isn’t on sale yet, we are happy to offer you a credit voucher with an extra £100 (£50 for City Breaks) added on. You can use your voucher towards any holiday departing up to 30th November 2021.

If you are unsure about travelling, you’ll be pleased to know we have introduced a new temporary Fully Flexible Bookings policy for customers due to travel from 24th April 2020 onwards. It offers the following options:

• Transfer your river cruise booking up to 24 hours before departure free of charge.
• Transfer your booking to any other river or Mediterranean yacht cruise departing up to 30th November 2021.
• Transfer your tour booking up to 30 days before departure free of charge.
• Transfer your booking to any other holiday departing up to 30th November 2021.
• If your chosen holiday is more expensive than the one you’ve already booked, then we’ll waive the first £100 of any extra cost. If you’re re-booking a City Break, then we’ll waive up to £50 of any extra cost.

Royal Caribbean International

At Royal Caribbean International, the safety and well-being of our guests and crew are always our top priorities. On March 24^th, we decided to extend our voluntary suspension until May 11^th, 2020. Our goal is to resume operations for most of our ships on May 12^th, 2020. Because of announced port closures, there are other itineraries we will be suspending.

Ships sailing out of Singapore, and ships sailing through Canada have all been impacted differently due to port closures.

• Canadian ports will remain closed until July 1^st, 2020.
• The Port of Singapore will remain closed through May 2020.

As a result of this change, we’re providing you with a 125% Future Cruise Credit to come back and sail with us by December 31^st, 2021Or, if you prefer the lower value in a full refund, we’re happy to process this for you. Given how fluid this situation is, and the opportunity to use the extra credit being offered, you have plenty of time to make up your mind. You have until December 31, 2021 to request a refund.

SAGA

Given the government advice, we have taken the very difficult decision to temporarily suspend our Ocean Cruises onboard Saga Sapphire and Spirit of Discovery from 15 March 2020 to 1 May 2020. This is a decision we have not taken lightly. However, with the current circumstances, we no longer believe that we can give you the cruise experience you would expect from Saga.

If you have booked a Saga Ocean Cruise during this period, we are offering you an additional future cruise credit to the value of 25%. This means if you choose to amend your booking to a future date, the full amount you have paid for your cruise, plus an extra 25% will be transferred to that booking; or we can send you a voucher for this amount to be redeemed against any future Saga Ocean Cruise. This future cruise credit will last for a period of 24 months.

If for any reason you are unable to use this future cruise credit, we will automatically issue a refund equal to the original amount you paid for the cruise when the voucher expires.

Alternatively, if you would prefer, we can issue a refund in full, equal to the amount you have paid.

If the Saga Cruise you are booked on does not fall within these dates, we wanted to reassure you that we are continuing to monitor any updated Government advice and any impact it may have on your cruise.

Scenic

Scenic has made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend all river cruises operations for guests embarking from now until to 30 April 2020. We have updated our cancellation policy to allow guests more time to make decisions about upcoming travel with Scenic.

We want to assure you that your travel plans will be protected, and are providing the following options;

If you hold a river cruise reservation during this period, you can either:

• Receive a 125% Future Travel Credit for the full value of the trip to be used for a river or ocean cruise within the next 24 months based on their date of cancellation,

• Receive a full refund of the value of your Scenic booking

The situation in South East Asia has also escalated significantly in recent days, with several Governments restricting access to ports and points of disembarkation along the Mekong River. It is no longer possible for Scenic to continue cruise operations in this region and therefore, we have cancelled the remaining river cruises for this season up to mid-May and the same above offer applies.

Our cancellation policy for guests with bookings departing from 1 May to 31 May 2020

For any guest departing from 1 May to 31 May 2020, Scenic will waive all of our cancellation fees with the value of the bookings applied as a future travel credit. We are allowing guests to change or transfer their booking up to 14 days prior to departure for river and ocean cruise bookings, and up to 30 days prior to travel for land tours.

For current river cruise, ocean cruise and land journey 2020 bookings departing 1 May to 31 May 2020, the future travel credit is valid for travel up to 31 December 2021.

Our cancellation policy for guests with bookings from 1 June 2020 to 31 December 2020

All currently booked guests with a departure on or after 1 June 2020 and guests considering a booking after that date, have the option to transfer their booking to an alternate departure without penalty*, up to 30 days prior to departure. Scenic will waive all cancellation fees with the value of the booking applied as a future travel credit. Any third party fees at the guests own expense. This allows guests more time to make decisions about future travel plans.

Viking Cruises

Our commitment to our family of guests and employees is that their safety and wellbeing is always our top priority. In that spirit, we have made the decision to extend our temporary suspension of operations through June 30, 2020.

For those guests whose cruise falls within this window of suspended operations, we are offering the choice of a Future Cruise Voucher valued at 125% of all monies paid to Viking or a refund equal to the amount paid. Guests will have 24 months to use their Future Cruise Voucher to make a new reservation on any river, ocean or expedition cruise. For additional flexibility, if you are unable to use your voucher, we will automatically send you a refund equal to the original amount paid to Viking after the voucher expires. These Future Cruise Vouchers will also be fully transferable.