Cruise & Cruise Line

Princess Cancels 22 Voyages Due to Coronavirus Scare

Image: PHOTO: Sapphire Princess with the QMII (photo courtesy Princess Cruises)
Image: PHOTO: Sapphire Princess with the QMII (photo courtesy Princess Cruises)
Rich Thomaselli
by Rich Thomaselli
Last updated: 12:21 PM ET, Mon February 17, 2020

After having its Diamond Princess quarantined in Yokohama, Japan since Feb. 3, Princess Cruises has announced a series of cancellations on three of its ships due to the severity of the coronavirus.

The cruise line is canceling a combined 22 itineraries on the Diamond Princess, Majestic Princess and Sapphire Princess.

"Based on the prolonged quarantine period, and the anticipated time to prepare the ship to return to service, we unfortunately must cancel additional Diamond Princess voyages through the April 20 voyage," Princess said on its website. "We are preparing Diamond Princess to return to service April 29, 2020 for the start of Japan's annual Golden Week celebrations."

Five trips were canceled on the Diamond Princess; five trips were scrapped on the Majestic Princess and 12 on the Sapphire Princess.

"Due to current port restrictions and closures and lack of predictability regarding port availability in our Southeast Asia itineraries going forward, we have made the decision to cancel additional Asia voyages on Sapphire Princess and Majestic Princess," the line said.

"All booked guests will receive a full refund, back to the original form of payment, of their cruise fare, Princess Air, pre- and post-cruise hotel packages, prepaid shore excursions and other prepaid items, and taxes, fees, and port expenses. As these cruises have been canceled so close to departure, each guest will also receive a Future Cruise Credit."

Princess said it will provide complete details to all guests booked on impacted voyages via email and through its Cruise Personalizer portal.


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Rich Thomaselli

Rich Thomaselli

Associate Writer

Editor Associate Writer true 9281 14744 Rich Thomaselli has written for TravelPulse since 2014 and has been a professional journalist for nearly 40 years. His work has appeared in USA Today, the New York Times and New York Yankees publications. He is an 11-time writ

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