IT’S QUIET ON THE RIVERS AS COVID-19 STRIKES GLOBALLY
Due to the global impact of COVID-19, numerous river cruise lines have temporarily suspended operations.
They include:
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Uniworld has suspended all European itineraries until April 23.
Affected guests can rebook any 2020 or 2021 cruise or receive a future cruise credit to be used in the next 24 months.
In a statement, Uniworld president Ellen Bettridge said, “We have been closely monitoring the world’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and given recent news, we do not believe we can continue to offer the award-winning Uniworld experience you have come to expect and deserve at this time…
“Our updated cancellation policy will allow guests more time to make decisions about upcoming travels. For bookings after April 23, guests can now cancel up to 14 days prior to their cruise and rebook on any 2020 or 2021 cruise without penalty or have the option to rebook with our TTC sister brands – from Trafalgar to Insight Vacations – for 2020 to 2021. Our team stands at the ready to assist you as we navigate through this process together.”
The Scenic Group
The Scenic Group has temporarily suspended all European river cruise operations on its Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises and Evergreen Cruises & Tours brands until April 30.
SE Asia river cruises are suspended for the remainder of their season, which ends mid-May.
Lisa McCaskill, vice-president, sales and marketing, Scenic Group Canada, said, “With the news of increasing COVID-19 cases in countries around the world, the health and safety of guests and crew is our primary focus. We will continue to ensure they come first and foremost in all our decisions.”
For guests whose river cruise departures are within this period of suspended operations, the Scenic Group is offering the choice of either a Future Travel Credit valued at 125% of the booking, or the option of a refund to the value of the amount paid. Guests choosing a Future Travel Credit will have up to 24 months to travel on a Scenic Group river cruise. All change fees have been waived.
The Scenic Group is also committed to protecting travel agent commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that have been paid in full and for the total amount of the Future Travel Credits – whether the guest takes a refund or Future Travel Credits.
www.scenic.ca, www.emeraldwaterways.ca
Avalon Waterways
Avalon Waterways is temporarily pausing global operations for travel through April 30.
The river cruise line’s guest services team is in contact with guests affected by the suspension in order to adjust their plans for future travel.
With the temporary suspension of operations, Avalon is offering options to move travel dates or cancel bookings for travel through April 30.
AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways has issued a statement announcing the delay of its European sailing season.
AmaWaterways president Rudi Schreiner said the line is voluntarily suspending operations of its European river cruise fleet and delaying the start of the 2020 European sailing season until April 26. It is also suspending Mekong River cruises starting March 23.
Guests who were booked on a cruise that is being cancelled have the option of receiving a Future Cruise Credit equal to 115% of the value of all services purchased through AmaWaterways or receiving a full monetary refund. The Future Cruise Credit is applicable on all Europe or Mekong River cruise sailings any time before Dec. 31, 2022.
Additionally, the company will fully protect the commission of travel advisors whose clients opt for a Future Cruise Credit, as well as pay an additional 10% commission on the value of the future booking.
