CELEBRITY CRUISES ANNOUNCES GLOBAL SUSPENSION OF CRUISING
Thursday, April 16, 2020
We are facing truly unprecedented times as the coronavirus pandemic continues to have unexpected consequences on our communities and businesses. Celebrity Cruises will therefore be extending the suspension of global operations for all sailings departing on-or-before June 11th, 2020. In addition, due to port closures, we are modifying the June 16 Canada/New England sailing and suspending Alaska sailings through July 1, 2020. Though hopeful that returning to service ahead of summer vacation plans would be an option, we all must continue to do our part in the global efforts to further contain the spread of this illness. We are working with all guests impacted by these changes and appreciate the patience and understanding of all those involved during these unique circumstances.
Guest Letter from President & CEO, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo
Impacted Itineraries
For impacted sailings, compensation of 125% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) will be processed automatically. Future Cruise Credit is good through December 31st, 2021. If you prefer to forfeit the higher value of the 125% Future Cruise Credit for all of the guests in your reservation and instead accept a 100% refund, you may submit your request here any time up until the expiration date of your FCC.
If you pre-booked any shore excursions, beverage, internet, specialty dining or other onboard packages, through Celebrity Cruises, you will have the option of receiving 125% Onboard Credit (OBC) to be used on your next sailing, or you may choose a 100% refund. In order to select the 125% Onboard Credit please click here to submit your request. If we have not received your choice of compensation for these pre-booked items by April 8th, you will automatically receive a full refund to your original method of payment. Guests with independent shore excursion arrangements should contact their tour operators as soon as possible.
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CELEBRITY CRUISES ANNOUNCES GLOBAL SUSPENSION OF CRUISING
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. We have now suspended all global sailings until April 11, 2020, when we plan to resume operations. We understand the severity of the public health crisis confronting us around the world and want to ensure that we play our part and take appropriate action. We are working with all guests impacted by these changes and appreciate the patience and understanding of all those involved during these unprecedented times.
CORONAVIRUS HEALTH PROTOCOLS
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Celebrity Eclipse
The port in San Antonio, Chile is currently closed. We are working with local authorities to facilitate entry to port and get our guests home. If we are unable to receive permission for Celebrity Eclipse to debark guests, we will find alternative ways for them to safely return home. We are regret the inconvenience this unexpected closure has caused our guests, and we are determined to make things right by them.
Celebrity Summit
We’d like to put some rumors to rest. Celebrity Summit is sailing to Port Everglades to help passengers return safely home at the conclusion of her itinerary. There are currently no issues of medical concern on the ship. The ship was one of several to be turned away after the arbitrary closing of the Port of San Juan, Puerto Rico, despite having previous clearances from both CDC and the US Coast Guard to bring guests ashore. We regret the inconvenience has caused for our guests, and we’re working diligently to assist in any way necessary to make things right.
Response to US Administration Newly Announced Europe Travel Restriction
We are reviewing the administration’s directive on European travel restrictions to understand how we will adjust operations to comply with the new requirements. Our primary concern is the safety and welfare of our guests, and are working to minimize the impact to our guests to the greatest extent possible.
Cruise Lines International Association
We are staying focused on development of an aggressive, responsive plan as agreed to during the meeting with Vice President Pence that goes beyond the already significantly enhanced protocols in place, which we believe are a model for others.
We thank the Vice President for a productive meeting marked by our shared focus on public health. We have committed to do even more to protect our guests, our crew and the communities where we sail. This includes more stringent boarding procedures, adding additional onboard medical resources and temperature screenings at embarkation. We will also develop industry funded protocols to care for guests on land in the event of an incident to eliminate future incidents of onboard quarantine. We are pleased to know the government agencies are prepared to work with us in developing these aggressive new measures. We expect to report back this week with further details of this enhanced approach to protecting public health.
COVID-19 Health Screening and Boarding Protocols
Thursday, March 12, 2020
We are closely monitoring global developments regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), and we are being proactive when it comes to protecting the health of our guests, crew, and the communities where we sail.
To comply with guidance from CDC, WHO, public health authorities around the world, and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), we are enhancing our rigorous global boarding and screening measures to protect our guests and crew. These measures are intentionally conservative and apply to anyone boarding our ships, guests and crew alike. We apologize for the inconvenience created by these precautionary measures.
These temporary safety precautions will remain in place for a projected period of 30 days and will continued to be reviewed daily. Updates will be posted daily on this website. Until further notice, all ships in the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. fleet will adopt the following health screening protocols:
Mandatory temperature screenings using digital, non-touch scanners are being conducted with guests, crewmembers, and visitors on embarkation day prior to boarding any vessel. If temperature registers about 100.4°F (38°C), the person and his/her travel companions will be referred to a secondary health screening. Guests who are denied boarding due to screening results will receive compensation.
COVID-19 presents the most serious health risks to older individuals, the immunocompromised, and those with serious, underlying medical conditions. Therefore, effective Monday, March 16,
Boarding will be denied to any person age 70 or older, unless the guest provides written verification from a qualified treating physician that certifies the person has no severe, chronic medical condition and is fit to travel.
Boarding will be denied to any person with a severe, chronic medical condition, including those specified by the CDC. Guests of all ages will be screened prior to boarding, regarding underlying health issues that may prevent them from sailing.
Regardless of nationality, boarding will be denied to:
Any person who has traveled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Europe (list of European countries) Iran, or South Korea 15 days prior to embarkation.
Any person who has come in contact with anyone with 15-day prior travel to mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Europe (list of European countries), Iran, or South Korea. The CDC characterizes contact with an individual as coming within six feet (2M) of a person.
Any person who within 15 days prior to embarkation, has had contact with, or helped care for, anyone suspected or diagnosed as having COVID-19, or who are currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to COVID-19.
For Caribbean Itineraries Only: The above parameters will also include Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, along with travel or contact occurring 21-days prior to embarkation.
Secondary, enhanced health screenings will be performed on:
Any person who reports feeling unwell or displays flu-like symptoms
Any person who has traveled from, to or through Japan or Thailand in the 15 days prior to embarkation.
Any person who is uncertain about contact with individuals who have traveled in the 15 days prior to embarkation from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Europe (list of European countries), Iran, South Korea, Japan, or Thailand.
For Caribbean Itineraries Only: Secondary health screening parameters will include the country of Thailand for travel or contact occurring 21-days prior to embarkation.
In some cases, guests presenting certain symptoms in the specialized health screenings may be denied boarding.
All guests who are denied boarding due to these restrictions will receive full compensation.
Additional restrictions may be imposed based on local circumstances. For example, certain countries may deny visas or prohibit entry based on travel history or nationality.
We have rigorous medical protocols in place to help guests and crew members who feel unwell while sailing. Our protocols include professional medical treatment; isolation of unwell individuals from the general ship population; and intensified ship cleaning, air filtration, and sanitization procedures..
We are assessing developments constantly and will update these measures as needed. Guests with questions may contact the customer care departments of our individual cruise lines or their travel professionals.
Source : Celebrity Cruises
Date : 16/03/20