Princess Cruises has “sincerely apologised” to customers booked on
new ship Sun Princess‘ inaugural 10-day voyage from Barcelona on 8
February.
The sailing was cancelled after delivery of the Sphere-class vessel
from Italian ship builder Fincantieri was delayed. The decision to delay
was a mutual one between Princess and the ship builder.
“We understand that this news is disappointing, and we share in that
disappointment,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises.
“We recognise the anticipation that surrounded this sailing, and we
sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this cancellation causes.”
Guests who were booked on the inaugural voyage will receive a full
refund of the cruise fare along with any additional onboard services
that were pre-purchased, as well as a 50% future cruise credit (FCC)
that can be used on a future Princess voyage.
Guests also will receive up to US$200 per person for change fees
related to air travel plans and Princess is protecting travel agent
commissions.
In other cruise news, Oceania Cruises will refurbish its
1,250-passenger ship Marina in May 2024, to include the addition three
new dining options.
Marina is the last of Oceania Cruises’ current fleet to be
refurbished and means that the line has seven ‘new, or better-than-new’
ships. Its eighth ship, Allura, is set to launch in Spring 2025.