As Holland America Line continues to prepare and develop its plans to meet U.S. CDC requirements for resuming cruise operations, the company is announcing the extension of its pause on all cruise operations through March 31, 2021. The line will also cancel some longer voyages and cruises of eight days or more that call at U.S. ports through November 1, 2021.
The cruises affected by this pause are the following:
– All cruise departures from January 1 through March 31, 2021.
– Cruises of eight days or more that call at a U.S. port through November 1, 2021.
– Longer voyages in Asia, Australia/New Zealand, and South America through mid-April 2021. Some departures will be rescheduled for similar dates in 2022.
Customers and travel agents are being notified about cancellations and options for future cruise credits and new bookings.
Holland America Line has begun preparing its ships and implementing procedures to meet all requirements for sailing clearance after the pause. Further details regarding the company's return to cruising will be announced as soon as possible.
Passenger reservations with departures affected through March 31 will be automatically canceled, and they will receive a future cruise credit: those who have paid for their trip in full will receive 125% of the base cruise fare paid to Holland America Line; those with reservations not paid in full will receive a future cruise credit of double the amount of their deposit.
The future cruise credit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and can be used to book sailings through December 31, 2022. Non-cruise purchases, such as shore excursions, gifts, dining, and spa services, will not transfer to a new booking and will be refunded to the original payment method. Other payments made, such as airfare paid to Holland America Line, may transfer to a new booking or will be automatically refunded to the payment method used for the purchase of the services.
Bookings made for longer voyages to South America aboard Westerdam, Asia aboard Noordam, and Australia/New Zealand aboard Oosterdam will be rebooked for similar dates and itineraries in 2022. Bookings for the “Viking Voyage” cruise, scheduled to depart on July 9, 2021, aboard Zaandam, will be moved to a similar date in 2022.
All customers with reservations who transfer to a new trip in 2022 will receive a $150 onboard credit per person, a protected price, and the equivalent stateroom category.
Customers who prefer a 100% refund of the money paid to Holland America Line can visit the Cancellation Preferences form to indicate this preference no later than December 31, 2020. Customers who did not make their bookings through Holland America Line can view the terms and conditions on the Cancellation Preferences form and will receive all the details.
