Carnival Cruise Line has implemented new stricter health measures which includes those guests more susceptible to the coronavirus.
New Carnival Cruise Line Health Restrictions
The cruise line has announced even tighter restrictions to help protect guests and crew from the deadly coronavirus which continues to spread around the world. The new policy mainly impacts older guests who are more susceptible to the virus.
Older passengers of 70 years and older will have a much harder time getting on their cruise and here are the details released from Carnival. The following individuals will not be allowed to sail with the cruise line:
- Guests who have been hospitalized in the last two months for, or have a history of, severe or chronic medical conditions.
- Per CDC, chronic conditions are defined as an illness persisting for a long time or constantly recurring, such as diabetes, heart, kidney or lung disease, suppressed immunity (i.e., active cancer, taking steroids) or require oxygen for any reason.
- Guests who are 70 years and older, will be required to present a doctor’s “fit to sail’ letter at check-in, confirming they do not meet any of the health/medical criteria.
If you are unable to present this letter, you will not be allowed to cruise. - Guests who have been to or traveled through China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Italy, Iran, Japan, Singapore in the last 20 days prior to embarkation.
- Guests who have been in contact with another person diagnosed with or tested for COVID-19.
This will impact a large number of passengers and the cruise line is providing options for cancellations related to the guests which are in the above criteria as follows:
- Receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC). In addition, guests will also receive a future onboard credit – US$300 per stateroom if you were scheduled to sail on a cruise of 5 days or less; US$600 per stateroom if you were scheduled to sail on a cruise of 6 days or longer – when you rebook your future cruise.
- Receive a cash refund, to be processed to the original form of payment within 90 days.
- Guests traveling in the same stateroom as the impacted party are also eligible for the compensation options listed above.
- Any accompanying family or friends in separate staterooms who also wish to cancel will receive a 100% future cruise credit.
To try and reduce the huge number of calls that Carnival is currently receiving, a form can be filled in instead but apparently it is even easier by logging in on their web site. Guests are being sent information which includes a form that can be completed rather than calling and waiting a long time on the line. Any pre-purchased packages will also be automatically refunded to guests.
Also Read: Carnival Cruise Line Relaxes Cancellation Policy Due to Coronavirus Fears
The cruise line is working with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the new measures and continues to monitor the developing situation. Newly relaxed cancellation policy has also been implemented since yesterday to provide more confidence to cruisers.
Cruises have been impacted by the coronavirus which is also known as COVID-19 and ports have already started denying entry. Princess Cruises and Viking Cruises have suspended operations and Virgin Voyages announced the inaugural season for Scarlet Lady is delayed until the summer. Bookings are low and governments are advising people not to go on cruises.
As of writing this, there have been more than 127,863 cases of COVID-19 around the world and the death toll stands 4,718 according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has 1,323 cases and President Donald Trump yesterday announced all travel from Europe to be banned.
