REG-Carnival PLC: Princess Cruises Update

CarnivalAnnouncement

12/03/2020 12:45

Princess Cruises Announces a Voluntary and Temporary Pause of its
Global Ship Operations for 60 Days 

Cruise Line Remains Committed to the Health, Safety and Well-Being of
Guests,  Team Members and Communities Visited Globally    

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., March 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In proactive response
to the unpredictable circumstances evolving from the global spread of
COVID-19 and in an abundance of caution, Princess Cruises
(https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2748289-1&h=3517041865&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.princess.com%2F&a=Princess+Cruises) announced
that it will voluntarily pause global operations of its 18 cruise ships
for two months (60 days), impacting voyages departing March 12 to May 10.

"Princess Cruises is a global vacation company that serves more than 50,000
guests daily from 70 countries as part of our diverse business, and it is
widely known that we have been managing the implications of COVID-19 on
two continents," said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. "By taking
this bold action of voluntarily pausing the operations of our ships, it is
our intention to reassure our loyal guests, team members and global
stakeholders of our commitment to the health, safety and well-being of all who
sail with us, as well as those who do business with us, and the countries and
communities we visit around the world," added Swartz. 

Those currently onboard a cruise that will end in the next five days will
continue to sail as expected through the end of the itinerary so that onward
travel arrangements are not disrupted. Current voyages that are underway and
extend beyond March 17 will be ended at the most convenient location for
guests, factoring in operational requirements. Princess will do
everything possible to return each guest home with the greatest amount of
care possible. During this time, our operations and medical teams across
the fleet will remain vigilant in their care and service for guests and crew
onboard. 

For those who are impacted by this business decision, Princess is
offering guests the opportunity to transfer 100% of the money paid for
their cancelled cruise to a future cruise of their choice. To add a
bonus incentive for guests to accept this offer, the company will add an
additional generous future cruise credit benefit which can be applied to
the cruise fare or onboard expenses. In addition, Princess will honor this
offer for those guests who had made final payment and cancelled
their booking on or after February 4, 2020. The future cruise
credit can be used on any voyage departing through May 1, 2022.  

Princess will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for cancelled
cruises that were paid in full and for the total amount of the future
cruise credits, in recognition of the critical role they play in the
cruise line's business and success. 

If the future cruise credit option does not work for some guests,
they will be able to complete an electronic form on
Princess.com to request a cash refund. Princess asks guests not to call the
Reservation Call Center due to the possibility of high call volumes and the
potential of long on-hold wait times due to this unprecedented
action. Guests and their travel advisors will be sent communications on how
to manage cancellations and desired compensation. Information and
instructions for requesting a refund are available online at Princess.com
(https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2748289-1&h=3464100854&u=https%3A%2F%2Fprincess.qualtrics.com%2Fjfe%2Fform%2FSV_3IPGcxcN0jSk6c5&a=Princess.com) 

In a video posted on YouTube, Jan Swartz shares 
(https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2748289-1&h=3430696101&u=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FZC1jVkY9hqE&a=In%C2%A0a+video+posted+on+YouTube%2C+Jan+Swartz+shares%C2%A0)
that "while this is a difficult business decision, we firmly believe it is the
right one and is in alignment with our company's core values. Rest assured the
long-serving and dedicated professionals at our company will make best use of
this time to prepare Princess Cruises' fleet of cruise ships for a successful
return to operation to serve our guests by delivering an exceptional vacation
experience." 

Loyal guests, employees, travel advisor partners and business partners
around the world have asked what they can do support Princess Cruises
and its more than 35,000 team members in these challenging times. The
answer is simple – book a cruise with Princess and bring your family and
friends along.  The company offers over 180 itineraries to popular and
exotic destinations around the globe. 

Princess Cruises plans to be back in operation beginning with cruises
departing May 11, 2020. 

About Princess Cruises 

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is the fastest
growing international premium cruise line and tour company operating a
fleet of 18 modern cruise ships, carrying two million guests each year to
380 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama
Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the
South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica and World Cruises.
A team of professional destination experts have curated 170 itineraries,
ranging in length from three to 111 days and Princess Cruises is continuously
recognized as "Best Cruise Line for Itineraries."

In 2017 Princess Cruises, with parent company Carnival Corporation, introduced
MedallionClass Vacations enabled by the OceanMedallion, the vacation
industry's most advanced wearable device, provided free to each guest sailing
on a MedallionClass ship. The award-winning innovation offers the fastest
way to a hassle-free, personalized vacation giving guests more time to do the
things they love most. MedallionClass Vacations will be activated on five
ships by the end of 2019. An activation plan will continue across the global
fleet in 2020 and beyond.  

Princess Cruises continues its multi-year, "Come Back New Promise" – a $450
million-dollar product innovation and cruise ship renovation campaign that
will continue to enhance the line's onboard guest experience. These
enhancements result in more moments of awe, lifetime memories and meaningful
stories for guests to share from their cruise vacation. The product
innovations include partnerships with award-winning Chef Curtis Stone;
engaging entertainment inspired shows with Broadway-legend Stephen Schwartz;
immersive activities for the whole family from Discovery and Animal Planet
that include exclusive shore excursions to onboard activities; the ultimate
sleep at sea with the award-winning Princess Luxury Bed and more.  

Two new Royal-class ships are currently under construction - Enchanted
Princess, scheduled for delivery in June 2020, followed by Discovery Princess
in November 2021. Princess previously announced that two new (LNG) ships which
will be the largest ships in the Princess fleet, accommodating approximately
4,300 guests are planned for delivery in 2023 and 2025. Princess now has four
ships arriving over the next five years between 2020 and 2025. The company is
part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).  

Newsroom:  Additional media information is available at princess.com/news

CONTACT:  Brian O'Connor, Negin Kamali, +1 (661) 753-1530,
media@princesscruises.com



Copyright (c) 2020 PR Newswire Association,LLC. All Rights Reserved