In a bid to offer relief to the travelers who are affected by the devastating wildfires, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises have been on their toes to accommodate passengers with flexible cancellation policies as the state battles its worst wildfire in years.
Dry conditions, along with high winds, have caused massive evacuations and travel disruptions in California. The uncertain situation has spread from a closed road to delayed flights and destroyed properties. To help the customers with this situation, the cruise industry has altered its policies.
Adjustable Cancellation Policies
Both Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises have temporarily modified their cancellation and reschedule policies for passengers affected by the fires as follows:
Norwegian Cruise Line:
- Passengers on upcoming sailings who cannot travel because of the fires may cancel or re-book penalties-free.
- Future cruise credits will also be offered for canceled bookings, so re-booking is possible for affected travelers at a later date.
Princess Cruises:
- Princess Cruises is canceling the cancellation fees for those whose travels are being directly affected by the fires.
- The company is collaborating closely with its guests in modifying their travel arrangements and to have the freedom needed during such challenging times.
These changes come for a wide range of itineraries, such as those originating from California ports, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, that have been experiencing disruptions due to the fires.
The decision taken by these cruise lines reflects the concern of their company towards the customers and the realization of the hard situation that disaster-hit people face. A spokesperson of Norwegian Cruise Line said, “We recognize our guests are in extraordinary circumstances and want to offer as much assistance as we can during this period.”
Similarly, Princess Cruises emphasized its dedication to providing flexible options, stating, “Our priority is the well-being of our passengers. We’re here to help them navigate these challenges with compassion and care.”
All the travelers whose cruises are affected by California wildfires are requested to contact their cruise line’s customer service departments to make alternative travel arrangements. The two lines have also implemented hotlines and other online avenues that help clients cope with canceling or rebooking their travels.
This policy offered by Norwegian and Princess Cruises falls in place with a greater travel industry-wide tendency towards providing better flexibility in moments of crisis. This trend has made the airlines hotels and various travel companies readjust their policy for pandemics, hurricanes, earthquakes, or other emergencies that have struck recently.
As California battles its devastating wildfires, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises have demonstrated their dedication to their customers through flexible cancellation policies. These policies are expected to ease some of the tension and uncertainty for travelers during this difficult time.
For the passengers, these policies offer a sense of security and allow them to reschedule their trips without incurring financial losses. The response from the travel industry during this evolving situation is, therefore, more humane, where flexibility and care for customers come first.
