During a call with investors, Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley announced on Wednesday the cruise line will cancel all sailings through July 31, 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
When asked directly by a Wall Street analyst, Mr. Bayley confirmed Royal Caribbean will match other cruise lines by extending its global suspension of cruises through July 31, 2020.
"Our plan is this afternoon we'll be announcing further suspension for voyages until the end of July, until July 31st. The only exception to the suspension will be our China operations."
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Royal Caribbean International suspended its global cruise operation starting on March 13, 2020. This new set of cancellations will extend that suspension from June 12, 2020 through July 31, 2020.
NOON UPDATE: Royal Caribbean has issued this official update: "Given ongoing global public health circumstances, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has decided to extend the suspension of most sailings through July 31, 2020, with the exception of sailings from China, which will be suspended through the end of June."
"We expect to return to service on August 1."
For those currently confirmed on sailings departing June 12–July 31, 2020, and not previously cancelled under our Cruise with Confidence offer, a few options have been prepared for consideration.
Lift & Shift: Select next year’s sailing on the same itinerary type, sailing length, stateroom category, and within the same 4-week window of the original cruise date and your clients are all set. Act quickly — option expires on June 10, 2020!
125% Future Cruise Credit: To account for the inconvenience this has caused, guests are eligible for a 125% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) that is based on the total cruise fare paid at the guest-level and will be automatically issued on-or-before June 30, 2020 — if neither of the other options is selected.
Taxes and fees, as well as any pre-purchased amenities or onboard packages will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment within 45 days from the cancellation date.
If you previously opted to take advantage of our Cruise with Confidence policy, the 100% FCC will stand, and this new option is ineligible.
Additionally, if you redeemed your Cruise with Confidence Future Cruise Credit on a sailing that is now cancelled, their original FCC will be reinstated, plus 125% of any amount paid by the guest on the cancelled reservation.
Refund: If you prefer a cash refund, you can do so by requesting this option on-or-before December 31, 2020.
You can expect their refund to the original form of payment within 45 days from the cancellation date.
If you redeemed a Cruise with Confidence Future Cruise Credit on an impacted sailing and would now prefer a refund instead, Royal Caribbean will process this request in the amount of any new funds paid above the original certificate and, in turn, will reinstate the Cruise with Confidence FCC for future use.
