Princess Cruises Plans to Resume Cruising in United States with Alaska Sailings Departing Seattle in July 2021

Rhea-AI Summary

Princess Cruises announced it will resume operations in the U.S. with Alaska sailings from Seattle, starting from July 25 through September 26, 2021. The round-trip cruises on the Majestic Princess will explore key Alaskan destinations, including Glacier Bay National Park and Juneau. The company has expressed gratitude to local officials for their support and is finalizing health protocols in response to COVID-19. Guests must be vaccinated to board, with the company emphasizing enhanced safety measures. Pricing for cruises starts at $799 per person, with special promotions available.

Positive

• Resumption of Alaska sailings indicates recovery in the cruise industry.
• Cruises start from $799, attracting budget-conscious customers.
• Enhancements to health protocols increase customer confidence.

Negative

• Emerald Princess cruises will be cancelled, affecting existing bookings.
• All remaining Alaskan cruises on Emerald Princess are cancelled, potentially leading to customer dissatisfaction.

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., May 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Following passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, work with Alaska government officials, and recent guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Princess, is announcing its intent to return to service in the United States with a partial season of Alaska sailings from Seattle.

Departing July 25 through September 26, 2021, round-trip Seattle, seven-day cruises, onboard Majestic Princess, a MedallionClass™ ship, will be open for sale on May 21, 2021. These cruises will visit signature ports, glaciers and attractions in Alaska including:

• Glacier Bay National Park – this 3.3-million-acre world-renowned landmark — a UNESCO World Heritage site features the magnificent Margerie Glacier
• Juneau – the 49^th state's capital city, with the chance to see humpback whales and Mendenhall Glacier
• Skagway – this Gold Rush-era town is home of the White Pass Scenic Railway
• Ketchikan – this quaint seaside port is known for its infamous Creek Street and as the salmon capital of the world

"We have been working towards this moment to return to service for over a year and starting with our Alaska cruise vacations is incredibly gratifying. We would like to offer our sincerest appreciation to Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, Congressman Don Young, and Governor Mike Dunleavy for their tireless efforts on behalf of the many small businesses that are the backbone of Alaska tourism," said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. "In addition, we would like to thank our long-standing partners at the CDC, and in both Alaska and the Port of Seattle who helped make this happen. Our passion has always been to provide our guests with a truly remarkable travel experience. We are thrilled to be able to do that again, safely with confidence."

Plans for these itineraries to fulfill our obligations under the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) are expected to be approved as are final instructions from CDC. Princess is continuing its return-to-cruising preparation already underway.

Dining, entertainment and shore excursion details are currently being finalized and will be communicated in the coming weeks.

"The return of the cruise industry to Alaska is great news for anyone hoping to experience the rugged beauty of the Last Frontier," said Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy. "More importantly, it signals a hopeful new chapter for the dozens of communities and tens of thousands of Alaskans who rely on cruise industry partners to help them share Alaska with the world."

These Princess cruises to Alaska are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination. Crew vaccinations will be in accordance with CDC guidelines.

CRUISE WITH CONFIDENCE
As of now and subject to change as CDC guidance, medical, and public health guidance evolves, the line's Cruise Health program provides steps to enhance public health. Please check regularly, as there will be updates as new procedures are finalized and existing protocols may evolve.

Updates to the cruise line's Cruise with Confidence program are also being implemented, providing peace of mind for booked guests who may encounter an unexpected trip cancellation or interruption due to COVID-19. Guests can cancel for any reason up to 30 days before departure and receive a Future Cruise Credit for any cancellation fees and a refund of additional funds received to the original payment method. As an enhanced benefit, guests may cancel and receive the same Future Cruise Credit and refund within 30 days all the way to sailing day if they test positive for COVID-19. Full details can be found here.

PRINCESS MEDALLIONCLASS VACATION
Majestic Princess offering TrulyTouchless™ experiences with more ways to support physical distancing and personalization that simplifies the guest experience and delivers next-level service supporting new health protocols.

The cruise line's award-winning OceanMedallion wearable device replaces the traditional cruise card and pairs with embedded IoT ("Internet of things") -driven innovative technology to significantly expand touch-free options and personalization on board Majestic Princess, including:

• Touchless embarkation and disembarkation
• Keyless stateroom entry
• Completely contactless commerce
• Simplified safety training
• On-demand food, beverages and retail items delivered anywhere on board
• Guest service requests via mobile device chat
• Location-based gaming and wagering
• Entertainment content via smart devices

Majestic Princess offers the best Wi-Fi at sea, MedallionNet™, so guests can stay connected to the things and people they love and share vacation memories with ease.

To accommodate this restart, all remaining roundtrip Seattle cruises on Emerald Princess, including Alaska Inside Passage and a Northern California Coast cruise will be cancelled.  For guests booked on a cancelled Alaska voyage, Princess will offer to move and give priority for Majestic Princess cruises departing the next day in 2021. Alternatively, guests can choose a future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 10% of the cruise fare paid (minimum $25 USD) or a full refund to the original form of payment. Requests must be received through this online form by June 30, 2021, or guests will automatically receive the FCC option. FCCs can be used on any cruises booked by and sailing by December 31, 2022. 

These Alaska cruises start at $799 per person for Princess Savers and $1,079 for Princess Plus fare that includes drinks, Wi-Fi and crew incentive, and through June 30, as part of the Indulge at Sea promotion, guests can receive up to $200 onboard spending money per stateroom.

Cruises can be booked through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.

About Princess Cruises:  
One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is the world's leading international premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 14 modern cruise ships, carrying two million guests each year to 380 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. A team of professional destination experts have curated 170 itineraries, ranging in length from three to 111 days and Princess Cruises is continuously recognized as "Best Cruise Line for Itineraries." In 2017 Princess Cruises, with parent company Carnival Corporation, introduced MedallionClass Vacations enabled by the OceanMedallion, the vacation industry's most advanced wearable device, provided free to each guest sailing on a MedallionClass ship. The award-winning innovation offers the fastest way to an effortless personalized vacation giving guests more time to do the things they love most. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK). 

In line with the latest advice from health officials about COVID-19, Princess Cruises is currently enhancing health and safety protocols with input from medical experts and government bodies and assessing how they may impact future itineraries. Actual offerings may vary from what is displayed in marketing materials. Click on the following links to stay updated on current Cruise Updates and Health & Safety protocols.  

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/princess-cruises-plans-to-resume-cruising-in-united-states-with-alaska-sailings-departing-seattle-in-july-2021-301296489.html

SOURCE Princess Cruises

FAQ

When will Princess Cruises resume sailing in the United States?

Princess Cruises plans to resume sailing in the United States with Alaska routes from July 25 to September 26, 2021.

What safety measures are in place for Princess Cruises Alaska sailings?

Guests must be fully vaccinated and follow enhanced health protocols outlined by Princess Cruises and the CDC.

What is the starting price for Princess Cruises Alaska sailings?

The starting price for Alaska sailings is $799 per person.

Which ship will operate the Alaska cruises?

The Majestic Princess, a MedallionClass ship, will operate the Alaska cruises.

What happens to guests booked on cancelled Alaska voyages?

Guests booked on cancelled Alaska voyages will be prioritized for new sailings or can opt for a future cruise credit or a full refund.