Norwegian Cruise Line announced cancelations of five South Africa sailings on the Norwegian Jade with embarkation dates from December 3, 2021, through January 26, 2022. An NCL spokesperson said that the reason for the latest cancelation is the safety of the guests, crew and communities they visit, as the company’s highest priority. "We continue to closely monitor the evolving global public health environment and are ready to adapt as needed," NCL spokesperson said.
In an email, the cruise line has also informed guests about the sudden cancelations of the South Africa cruises.
“As we continue to redeploy our fleet around the world, we are focused on providing you with the safest and very best vacation. However, due to the evolving public health concerns in South Africa, we’ve made the decision to cancel voyages aboard Norwegian Jade with embarkation dates of December 21st, 2021 through and including January 26, 2022,” reads NCL letter sent to booked guests on the Norwegian Jade.
In the letter NCL didn’t’ mention that the latest cancelations are connected with the omicron variant of Covid-19, however, it is very likely the discovery of the new strain has influenced this difficult decision.
Guests impacted by the canceled sailings will receive a 100% refund of their cruise, and if they choose to rebook on a different voyage, they may be eligible to certain special offers.
Crew Center received a message from a crewmember onboard the Norwegian Jade saying that they received the news that all cruises are canceled through February. According to the crew member, NCL tried to adjust the Itineraries with stops in India, however, that was also canceled.
"Nobody really knows what will happen after Dec 3rd when we reach Dubai. RSA is cancelled, that's common sense. We were supposed to go to India, but this morning everyone is talking that we are not sailing there, either. That's all I know," the crew member said.
This two-month cancelation will have a great impact on the crew salaries as they will be onboard without guests and less income.
