Just how much has the shutdown of airports across the U.K., Ireland and northern Europe in recent days affected cruise lines?
The parent company of Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises says in a statement that about 6% of customers trying to reach ships since Thursday have been impacted — a percentage that translates into thousands of people.
The company says customers booked on a fly/cruise package directly with one of the three brands who have been unable to join their sailings since the crisis began are being offered alternative travel arrangements to join the ship mid-cruise, if possible. If that cannot be achieved, passengers are being offered a full refund of their cruise fare in the form of a future cruise credit or an alternative fly/cruise.
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The company says fly/cruise passengers who booked with a tour operator and not directly with one of the brands should contact the tour operator. The company says it also will work with cruise-only passengers who did not book as part of a package to file a claim with their travel insurance company.
“Whenever possible, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is making every effort to assist cruise-only guests with the information and services they require,” the company says.
Additional assistance to affected passengers include offering day-room hotel accommodation, assistance booking hotel accommodation, and dedicated help desks in hotels and airports in impacted destinations, the company adds.
Cruise Loggers, have you been impacted by the airport shutdowns? Share your experience below.
