Holland America Line has made a huge decision by canceling all cruises that depart or conclude in Canada. The cruise line did not really have a choice due to Canada banning cruise ships until early 2022.
Holland America Line Provides Major Update
Following sister line Princess Cruises, Holland America has provided an update on cruises related to Canada which also impacts U.S. sailings. The cruise line has announced that all cruises that depart or conclude in Canada are cancelled until 2022.
This does now mean that many Alaska, three Canada/New England, and two Pacific Coastal cruises in summer and fall of this year will no longer be taking place. It’s not all bad news as Holland America is working on a way to save some cruises to Alaska departing mid-May and sailing roundtrip from Seattle, Washington.
Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, said:
“Holland America Line, in alliance with our entire industry, is optimistic for the resumption of cruising around North America and worldwide.”
“However, we must be practical in our approach by acknowledging the limitations put in place by the current Canadian order that requires us to cancel select sailings. We thank our guests for their patience and understanding and know that they, like us, are eager to see cruising begin again soon.”
For now, all 2022 Alaska and Canada/New England cruises are still scheduled as normal. The hope is that the cruise ban order by the Canadian government will be lifted before its planned end date on February 28, 2022. So for now here’s what’s actually cancelled from today’s announcement:
- Alaska: Cruises through September 2021 to Alaska from all departure ports aboard Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam and Zuiderdam. This also includes any Land+Sea Journeys connected with canceled Alaska sailings.
- Pacific Coastal: Two sailings in early October aboard Koningsdam and Oosterdam.
- Canada/New England: Three cruises aboard Zaandam departing in September 2021.
Worth Reading: Holland America and Princess Cruises Extend Suspensions
Impacted Holland America Guests
Holland America guests on the impacted sailings who have already paid off their booking in full will automatically be rebooked on an equivalent cruise Land+Sea Journey in 2022.
Any cash and future cruise credit funds will also be moved over to the new booking. The cruise line has said that no action is required apart from accepting the new booking which is set to be sent within 30 days from February 24, 2021.
Due to the fact that there are no equivalent cruises in 2022, Pacific Coastal cruise guests will receive the option for an FCC or full refund.
If guests decide not to accept a cruise booking in 2022 by March 31, 2021, they automatically default to receive an FCC of 110% of any cash paid on the booking. The minimum FCC is $25 and the maximum will be an amount up to the base cruise fare paid.
Guests will retain any other FCC used for the canceled 2021 booking with all FCC amounts moved to their loyalty account for use on a future cruise booking.
The future cruise credit will need to be used for sailings departing through December 31, 2022. Guests can also request a full 100% refund of they no longer want to cruise with Holland America Line in the future.
Why Are More Cruises Cancelled?
Holland America has made the decision after the Canadian Transport Ministry’s Interim Order closed Canadian waters and ports to vessels with a passenger capacity of over 100 for one year to February 29, 2022.
Due to the Passenger Vessel Services Act that forces cruise ships to visit a foreign ports when departing from the U.S. this heavily impacts many cruises from the U.S. that visit Canada and Alaska.
The cruise line has said discussions are underway with Canadian and United States government authorities to try to find a path forward to preserve other sailings that have not yet been cancelled. Sister line Princess Cruises is also doing the same.
We’ll just have to wait and see what happens with the other cruises and further announcement will be made soon. Until then all the cruises in today’s announcement are cancelled and global operations remain suspended.
