Princess Cruises has altered its 2025 world cruise itineraries to circumvent the Red Sea.
- This decision was influenced by ongoing regional conflicts and expert consultations.
- New routes will now encompass destinations in Africa and Europe instead.
- Passengers affected by the changes will receive compensation and itinerary adjustments.
- These modifications align with similar changes by other cruise lines like Seabourn.
In light of the persistent instability in the Red Sea region, Princess Cruises has made the strategic decision to reroute its upcoming world voyages scheduled for 2025. This proactive measure comes after meticulous consultations with global security experts and respective government authorities, ensuring passenger safety remains paramount.
The revised itineraries for the Island Princess and Crown Princess will now feature enhanced travels through Africa and Europe, deliberately bypassing the Middle East and Asia. A statement from Princess Cruises reveals that this move mirrors actions taken by their sister line, Seabourn, which similarly altered its voyage plans to exclude the Red Sea.
Specifically, the Island Princess’s 116-day journey embarking from Fort Lauderdale on 5th January 2025, and Los Angeles on 20th January will sail between Australia and South Africa before resuming its original route from Malta on 9th April. Passengers initially set to board or leave the cruise in Dubai on 14th March 2025 will now have their transfers occur in Cape Town, four days earlier. As compensation, these guests will receive a cruise fare refund equivalent to the four-day adjustment along with a $300 onboard credit.
In a similar adjustment, the Crown Princess will proceed with its 113-day excursion beginning in Auckland on 31st May 2025 and Sydney on 4th June, visiting 42 destinations across five continents. The rerouted journey will avoid the Red Sea and instead traverse Africa, meticulously designed to exclude the Suez Canal from its path. Princess Cruises assures that the final itinerary is close to completion and will be shared with guests imminently.
According to the company’s Chief Commercial Officer, Terry Thornton, these world cruises aim to maintain their enriching nature regardless of unavoidable geopolitical challenges. Thornton expressed confidence that passengers would value the decision, symbolising Princess Cruises’ commitment to delivering destination-rich experiences across the west African coast and the Mediterranean. “These global events beyond our control have necessitated these reroutings but we are pleased to continue to ensure these world cruises retain destination-rich itineraries with incredible stops along the west Africa coast and the Mediterranean,” he elaborated.
Despite necessary changes, Princess Cruises remains dedicated to offering enriching world voyages.
