Cruise line will continue to operate vaccinated voyages with
enhanced COVID-19 protocols
SEATTLE, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland
America Line is giving
consumers the confidence to make travel plans through the summer
with the extension of its Flexible Cancellation Plan to
Sept. 30, 2022. As part of its
"Worry-Free Promise," Holland America Line also will continue to
implement best practices for COVID-19 health safety including
operating vaccinated cruises and requiring a medically-supervised
negative COVID-19 test prior to cruising.
"Holland America Line Extends Flexible Cancellation to Give
Travelers the Confidence to Book a Summer
Cruise"
Under the Flexible Cancellation Plan, which was originally
offered for cruises departing through the end of April, guests who
make a new booking by March 31, 2022,
for itineraries that depart on or before Sept. 30, can cancel for any reason and receive a
Future Cruise Credit in the amount of any cancellation fees that
normally would be incurred. Cancellations must be made up to 30
days before departure. Additionally, final payments for cruises
through May 31, 2022, are due at 60
days instead of 75 or 90.
"We want our guests to feel confident when they book a cruise,"
said Gus Antorcha, president of
Holland America Line. "We've seen so much excitement from guests
who have cruised with us since our return. We want everyone who is
looking forward to that next adventure to feel comfortable making
those plans, and our 'Worry-Free Promise' offers that comfort."
For additional reassurance, Holland America Line's Cancellation
Protection Program can be purchased for new cruises or Alaska
Cruisetour bookings or existing bookings as long as it is purchased
before the date cancellation fees begin to accrue. Offered as a
Standard or Platinum plan, guests can cancel for any reason up to
24 hours before cruise departure with Standard and right up to
departure under Platinum and receive refunds between 80% to 90% of
eligible amounts paid. The cost varies by cruise fare and is
nonrefundable.
Cruise Healthy and Safe with TravelWell
Holland
America Line will continue to
operate with health and safety protocols for COVID-19 guided by the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health
Organization and the company's medical team and health experts.
"By operating our cruises with protocols that are based on the
latest advice and guidance of our global experts, we have seen a
very low rate of cases, and in almost all instances, with mild or
no symptoms," Antorcha said. "We will keep these best practices in
place because we know they are working to protect our guests, our
crew, our homeports and the communities we visit."
Those protocols include:
- Guests must have received their final dose of an approved
COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the
cruise and bring proof of vaccination; Holland America Line is
strongly encouraging all eligible guests to receive COVID-19
boosters.
- Guests must show proof of a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR
or antigen) taken within two days of embarkation.
- Guests are required to wear masks in indoor areas, except when
eating or drinking or in their stateroom. Holland America Line is recommending the use of
higher-grade masks indoors (surgical or KN95).
- Crew members are vaccinated for COVID-19 and are receiving a
booster when eligible; KN95 masks are worn by shipboard teams at
all times.
Holland America Line returned to
cruising in July 2021 following the
industrywide pause with ships in operation in the Caribbean, Mexico and California coast, having successfully
completed seasons in Alaska and
the Mediterranean. The remaining ships will restart cruising in
spring 2022.
For more information about Holland America Line, consult a
travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit
hollandamerica.com.
Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the
Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the
home page at hollandamerica.com.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival
Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland
America Line has been exploring the
world since 1873 and was the first cruise line to offer adventures
to Alaska and the Yukon nearly 75 years ago. Its fleet of
premium ships visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the
world, offering an ideal mid-sized ship experience. A third
Pinnacle-class ship, Rotterdam, joined the fleet in
July 2021.
The leader in premium cruising, Holland America Line's ships
feature innovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching
experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized
travel. The best live music at sea fills each evening at Music
Walk, and dining venues feature exclusive selections from Holland
America Line's esteemed Culinary Council of world-famous chefs.
CONTACT:
|
Bill Zucker, Erik
Elvejord
|
PHONE:
|
800-637-5029,
206-626-9890
|
EMAIL:
|
pr@hollandamerica.com
|
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SOURCE Holland America Line