Carnival Cruise Lines is allowing guests on itineraries departing between now and January 14 to reschedule or cancel their cruise without incurring any cancellation penalties.

The cruise line sent a letter from President Christine Duffy clarifying COVID-19 protocols as well as the new option to every guest booked to cruise between these dates. “We recognize that, given the circumstances, some of our guests might want to consider sailing at a different time,” Duffy stated.

Only guests travelling through January 14 are eligible for the offer to cancel and receive a refund or reschedule a cruise without paying a change fee.

The letter also acknowledges that there may be positive cases onboard each forthcoming cruise, but advises guests to wear masks indoors unless eating or drinking. Guests will not be compensated for missed ports if a port refuses to accept the ship and the ship is unable to dock anywhere else, according to the letter, though pre-booked excursions through Carnival would be refunded.

Several outbreaks have been reported onboard Carnival cruise ships in the last month. This, combined with the uncertainties surrounding the now-dominant Omicron variant, will very certainly lead to many cruisers opting for the free refund or rescheduling for a later date in the near future.

If you are one of the impacted passengers and did not receive this notice, please visit the Carnival Cruise Line website or contact your travel agent.

– India’s new age travel digital media