Coronavirus: AmaWaterways becomes latest line to delay cruises

AmaWaterways will delay its European sailing season, joining the likes of Uniworld, Viking Cruises, Windstar and Princess Cruises in pausing operations amid the Coronavirus outbreak.

AmaWaterways president and co-founder Rudi Schreiner delivered the following statement:

“The health, safety and well-being of our guests and crew are of the utmost importance to everyone on the AmaWaterways team. With the latest travel warnings and restrictions imposed by the U.S., Canadian and UK governments, we must continue to be vigilant in protecting the health of those on board our ships.

“As a result, we are voluntarily suspending the operations of our European river cruise fleet and delaying the start of our 2020 European sailing season until April 26, 2020. We will also suspend our Mekong River cruises starting March 23. This is not an easy decision, as we know how much our guests were looking forward to their vacations but we must follow all precautionary measures put in place by governing authorities.”

AmaWaterways has updated its cancellation policy applicable to these cancelled sailings, adding new details to protect guests’ holidays. 

Guests who were booked on a cruise that is being cancelled have the option of receiving a Future Cruise Credit equal to 115 per cent of the value of all services purchased through AmaWaterways or receiving a full monetary refund.

The Future Cruise Credit is applicable on all European or Mekong River cruise sailings any time before December 31, 2022.

Additionally, the company will fully protect the commission of travel agents whose clients opt for a Future Cruise Credit, as well as pay an additional 10 per cent commission on the value of the future booking. Plus, the company will pay full commission on the fare difference, if applicable. 

“We understand the immediate implications that these unavoidable travel cancellations are having on our valued travel advisors, who have been the foundation of our family owned and operated business. We recognise the important role they play in encouraging our guests to rebook therefore, paying commission now on the cancelled arrangements and again on the future bookings seems very much the right thing to do,” Schreiner said.