Introducing the Healthy Sail Panel

A PLAN BACKED BY SCIENCE, VALIDATED BY EXPERTS

We've tapped the best minds and accredited health organizations to develop a science-backed plan for cruising safely.

We’re excited to announce the establishment of Royal Caribbean Group’s Healthy Sail Panel — a team of the best minds and leaders in public health, bio security, epidemiology, hospitality and maritime operations. As we prepare for our return to service, this diverse team has been enlisted to develop recommendations and guide our way forward with unprecedented standards in response to COVID-19. Their combined expertise will help us reinforce our current safety procedures onboard our ships, create new ones and ensure our vacation experience. Our collective efforts will be shared across the cruise industry, as well as other industries that may benefit from our findings — because we’re all in this together.

The well-being of our guests, crew and the communities we visit is our top priority. But beyond that, we believe everyone should benefit from advances in health and safety related matters. That’s why the important work and findings derived from this collaboration will be shared with the entire cruise industry and other industries it may benefit — because we’re all in this together.

MEET OUR PANELISTS

PANEL CO-CHAIRS

Governor Michael Leavitt - Leavitt Partners, Founder, Former Governor of Utah and Secretary Health and Human Services under President George W. Bush.

Dr. Scott Gottlieb - Resident Fellow at AEI, Partner at NEA, Contributor at CNBC and Former Commissioner of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration

PANEL MEMBERS

Helene Gayle MD, MPH –Dr. Gayle is CEO of the Chicago Community Trust, one of the nation’s leading community foundations. Prior to this role, and for almost a decade, she was president and CEO of CARE, a leading international humanitarian organization. An expert on global development, humanitarian and health issues, Dr. Gayle spent 20 years with the CDC, working primarily on HIV/AIDS. She worked at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, directing programs on HIV/AIDS and other global health issues. She also launched the McKinsey Social Initiative (now McKinsey.org), a nonprofit that builds partnerships for social impact. Dr. Gayle serves on public company and nonprofit boards, including The Coca-Cola Company, Colgate-Palmolive Company, Brookings Institution, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, New America, the ONE Campaign, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Economic Club of Chicago.

Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH –Dr. Julie L. Gerberding is Executive Vice President and Chief Patient Officer for Merck, leading all aspects of strategic communications, global public policy, population health and patient engagement. A former head of the CDC and a world-renowned public health expert, Dr. Gerberding is deeply committed to achieving sustainable global health impact and tackling some of the most challenging health priorities of our time. This includes addressing critical issues such as affordable access to important therapies, advocating for health policies that promote and sustain innovation of new medicines and vaccines, and improving maternal mortality through the Merck for Mothers program — a public-private partnership helping to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal to reduce maternal mortality. Prior to joining Merck, Dr. Gerberding served as the Director of the CDC from 2002-2009 and was the first female to hold that position. While at the agency, she led more than 40 emergency responses against crises such as anthrax, SARS, bird flu, food-borne outbreaks and natural disasters.

Steven Hinrichs, MD –Dr. Steven Hinrichs is Professor and Chair in the Department of Pathology and Microbiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha and the Director of the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), and Director of the University of Nebraska Center for Biosecurity. In his position as laboratory director he has been responsible for the development of a statewide program for the rapid identification of biological agents of mass destruction. He is principal investigator of multiple national awards from the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the CDC and the Department of Defense for the development of an outreach program to extend training and expertise in the early recognition of biological warfare agents.

Michael Osterholm, MD, PhD –Michael Osterholm is one of the nation’s foremost experts in public health, infectious disease and biosecurity. As the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, he is an international leader on the world’s preparedness for pandemics. He has led numerous investigations into internationally important disease outbreaks, including foodborne diseases, hepatitis B in health care settings, and HIV infection in healthcare workers, and he is a frequent consultant to the World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Defense and the CDC. From 2001 to 2005, Dr. Osterholm served as a special advisor to the secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on issues related to bioterrorism and public health preparedness. From June 2018 through May 2019, he served as a Science Envoy for Health Security on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. He has also been appointed to the National Science Advisory Board on Biosecurity and the World Economic Forum’s Working Group on Pandemics, among other prominent advisory positions.

Stephen Ostroff, MD –Dr. Ostroff brings years of experience in public health, having served at high level positions at the Food and Drug Administration and CDC. He was the Acting Commissioner of the FDA from 2015-16, and before that served as the FDA’s chief scientist. Ostroff joined the FDA in 2013 as chief medical officer in the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and senior public health advisor to FDA’s Office of Foods and Veterinary Medicine. Prior to that he served as deputy director of the National Center for Infectious Diseases at the CDC, where he was also acting director of CDC’s Select Agent Program. While at CDC he focused on emerging infectious diseases, food safety, and coordination of complex outbreak response. He retired from the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service at the rank of Rear Admiral (Assistant Surgeon General). Ostroff was also the director of the Bureau of Epidemiology and acting physician general for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has consulted internationally on public health projects in South Asia and Latin America.

William Rutala, PhD, MS, MPH –Dr. Rutala has experience medically managing a variety of diseases and extensive experience studying epidemiology and virology, particularly managing outbreaks and emerging pathogens. Dr. Rutala’s research interests are the etiology and prevention of healthcare-associated infections with a special focus on disinfection and sterilization of reusable medical and surgical devices. Other areas of active research include contribution of the hospital environment to disease transmission, hand hygiene, preventing transmission of infectious agents including multiply-drug resistant organisms, prevention of healthcare-associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, investigation of healthcare-associated outbreaks, and new and emerging pathogens in healthcare.

Kate Walsh, PhD –Kate Walsh is the Dean at the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University and E.M. Statler Professor. A professor of management, she is a leader in education for the global hospitality industry; and a renowned expert in organizational service design, leadership and career development, as well as the impact of strategic human capital investments. In addition, Dean Walsh holds extensive industry knowledge from serving as the former director of training and development for Nikko Hotels International, corporate training manager for the former Bristol Hotels, and senior auditor for Loews Corporation. She is also a former New York State Certified Public Accountant. Since the beginning of her administration as dean, Dean Walsh has focused on positioning the school for the future of education. This includes undertaking a comprehensive renewal of the graduate and undergraduate curricula, developing the school’s online global presence, identifying international partners for master-level program development, and providing thought-leadership for the hospitality industry, most notably through the creation of industry research partnerships for faculty, fostering new initiatives through the school’s six centers and institutes, and providing faculty-developed resources to guide the industry.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Extends Suspension of Cruising

Dear Travel Partner,

In response to the recent statement circulated by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will now suspend all cruise operations through September 15, 2020 as we work towards a healthy and safe return-to-service.

Exceptions to this timeline include China sailings paused through July onboard Spectrum of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas, as well as the further suspension of the 2020 Bermuda season onboard Grandeur of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas through October 31, 2020.

Aligned with CLIA, as well as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we are committed to industry safety and will not sail until we are confident in the protective measures put in place to welcome your clients back aboard.

We know that the disruption of your clients' vacation plans is never easy news to break. However, for those currently confirmed on sailings departing August 1 - September 15, 2020, as well as impacted Bermuda and China itineraries, who have not previously canceled under our Cruise with Confidence offer, there are several great options to consider.

Cancelled Sailings FAQ's

Royal Caribbean - Cruise With Confidence Program ENHANCED

As of May 6, 2020, Royal Caribbean’s “Cruise with Confidence” policy has been enhanced. What changes can be expected?

Adding a few new options to Royal Caribbean’s existing Cruise with Confidence policy, your clients can now choose the one that is most suitable to their scenario. To be eligible, the reservation must be an active booking (not previously cancelled) with no other cancellation offers previously accepted.

• Previously announced on March 6, 2020, the flexibility to cancel up to 48-hours prior to sailing in exchange for a 100% Future Cruise Credit will continue, though the eligible sailing window has been extended to now include all sailings through April 2022 (all open deployment as of May 6, 2020).
  
  
• NEW! Introducing Lift & Shift for those guests simply wishing to move their existing booking to next year. Eligible for rebooking between now and August 1, 2020, guests can protect their original price and promotional offering simply by selecting a future sailing on the same itinerary type, sailing length, stateroom category, and within the same 4-week period of their original cruise date same-time-next-year.
  
  
• NEW! Stick with us and your client is eligible to take advantage of our Best Price Guarantee up to 48-hours prior to their cruise vacation start date, ensuring the best rate and/or promotion. Price variances will result in a rate adjustment if requested outside of final payment or an Onboard Credit when inside final payment period.
  
  
• If desired, guests wishing to cancel prior to final payment can absolutely do so for a full refund of all monies paid to-date, and all nonrefundable deposits returned in the form of a Future Cruise Credit. After final payment, the standard cancellation penalties apply for those guests not interested in taking advantage of the Cruise with Confidence policy.

Celebrity - Cruise With Confidence Program UPDATES

CRUISE WITH CONFIDENCE - NEW BENEFITS & MORE FLEXIBILITY (Updated on May 6th, 2020)

We know you're looking forward to your next vacation, now more than ever. So, to give you peace of mind in planning your escape, we've enhanced our Cruise with Confidence program with a variety of ways to change your sailing. Simply book your vacation by August 1, 2020.

• Best Price/Offer Guarantee - Once you've booked, if the fare on your sailing lowers or the promotion gets better, give us a call and we'll honor your choice right up to 48 hours before you sail.
  
  
• Future Cruise Credit - You have up to 48 hours before you sail to cancel and receive 100% of the amount paid in a Future Cruise Credit to use toward any sailing through May 3rd, 2022..
  
  
• Lift and Shift - Rebook the same sailing - Want to take the same cruise the following year for the same price and with the same promotion? You can. Simply make this change by August 1, 2020..
  
  

With the flexibility to change your vacation as needed, we hope to give you the confidence you're looking for in planning a vacation during these challenging times. After all, it's your vacation—and now it's your choice.

Azamara - Cruise With Confidence Program ENHANCED

NOW YOUR CLIENTS HAVE NEW BENEFITS & MORE FLEXIBILITY UP TO 48 HOURS BEFORE THEY SAIL

We know your clients are looking forward to their next vacation, now more than ever. So, to give you peace of mind in planning their travel plans, we've enhanced our Cruise with Confidence program with a variety of ways to change their sailing. Simply book their vacation by August 1, 2020 to take advantage of thie limited-time offer.

• BEST PRICE OR BEST OFFER: Once you've booked your clients, if the price on their sailing drops or there is a better promotion, give us a call and we'll honor your choice right up to 48 hours before they sail.
  
  
• FUTURE CRUISE CREDIT: Your clients have up to 48 hours before they sail to cancel and receive 100% of the cruise fare paid in a Future Cruise Credit to use toward any sailing through April 30, 2022.
  
  
• SAME CRUISE, SAME PRICE: Do your clients want to take the same cruise the following year for the same price and with the same promotion? They can. Simply make the change by August 1, 2020.
  
  

With the flexibility to change your clients vacation as needed, we hope to give you the confidence you're looking for in planning their vacation during these challenging times.

Silversea - Cruise With Confidence, Cancellation & Commission Policies REVISED

We at Silversea are extremely grateful for your partnership, your continued support and patience during this time.

We are proud to continue to embrace the Royal Caribbean Group “Cruise with Confidence” initiative and are now extending this program for all sailings departing prior to December 31, 2020, effective as of April 8, 2020. Our guests will be allowed to cancel for any reason up to 48 hours prior to departure and receive a Future Cruise Credit with 2 year validity.

• Simpler Guidelines
  
  
• Extended through December 31, 2020
  
  
• 48-hour cancellations
  
  

VOYAGES CANCELED BY SILVERSEA

• Guests will receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit* (FCC). This is an incredible value to your guests and an opportunity to enhance their future cruise by choosing a longer itinerary, or upgrading their stateroom category.
  
  
• We have made the process very easy. Upon cancellation of the voyage, Silversea will email the Future Cruise Credit, within 15 days, to the email address(es) of the guests and the travel advisor in the reservation.
  
  
• The Future Cruise Credit is transferable to family and friends, and can be used partially and applied on more than one new booking.
  
  
• If guests decide to forego the 125% Future Cruise Credit and the corresponding 25% additional benefit that Silversea is providing, a cash refund option is also available ^

EXCLUSIVE FOR VENETIAN SOCIETY MEMBERS: On voyages cancelled by Silversea from March 1, 2020 until June 30, 2020 Venetian Society members will accumulate Venetian Society days on the cancelled voyage as well as on the new voyage booked with the FCC. ^^

Learn about Silversea’s resumption of cruises HERE.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOUR COMMISSION:

• Commissions are protected on both the original and the new booking only if the guest selects the Future Cruise Credit option.
  
  
• In case guests opt for a cash refund, no commissions will be paid.
  
  
• In contrast with Silversea standard policy, the Future Cruise Credit issued for these cancelations will NOT reduce the commission on the new booking.

ALL 2020 VOYAGES STILL IN OPERATION (NOT CANCELLED)

WHEN GUESTS CANCEL UP TO 48 HOURS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE:

• If guests cancel up to 48 hours prior to the sailing date, they can elect to receive 100% Future Cruise Credit* (FCC) equivalent to the portion of the booking paid. If we cannot persuade guests to take an FCC and they opt for a cash refund, full standard Silversea cancelation terms will apply.
  
  
• Future Cruise Credit is transferable to family and friends, can be used partially and applied on more than one new booking, excluding insurance.
  
  
• The Future Cruise Credit can be applied towards a booking with a promotional pricing.
  
  
• The Future Cruise Credit is computed on the portion of the booking paid, minus any cancellation penalties from 3rd party suppliers charged to Silversea. This includes the cruise fare as well as any 3rd party items purchased via Silversea such as air upgrades, deviations, transfers, insurance, hotel, land tours and pre and post and overland tours.
  
  
• Silversea will not provide a Future Cruise Credit or Cash Refund on any independent Air, Hotel, Transfer ,Tour or other arrangements booked independently either by a Travel Advisor or the guest directly with third party suppliers.

WHEN GUESTS CANCEL LESS THAN 48 HOURS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE:

• If guests cancel less than 48 hours prior to the sailing date, penalty will be 100% of the booking.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOUR COMMISSION:

• Commissions are now protected for both the cancelled booking, as well as the future reservation only where the correlating FCC is applied.
  
  
• Please note that commission protection will only occur on cancelled reservations that are paid in full, fall within the final payment window, and where guests have opted to take advantage of the FCC option at 100%.
  
  
• If a guest misses the cancellation deadline of 48 hours prior to departure date and requests a late cancellation, full penalties will be assessed, and commission will be protected.

NET RATE BOOKINGS:

• The same ‘Cruise with Confidence’ policies apply to our Net Rates. We will not consider any refund of Air, Hotel, Transfer, Tours or any other elements of a package that a Net Provider may have organized – irrespective of whether Silversea, the Net Provider or the guest chooses to cancel a cruise.
  
  
• Where Silversea cancels a cruise, we will communicate that directly to the Net Provider/Tour Operator rather than to our mutual guests so as to protect the confidentiality of the Net Rate.

PLEASE REFER TO OUR F.A.Q. HERE

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your local Sales Reservations department.

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

• Cruise with Confidence does not apply to chartered sailings & groups.
  
  
• Silversea reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions at any time without prior notice or liability.  Offer can be withdrawn without notice.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. - Return to Service Safety Enhancements

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is currently laser-focused on additional safety enhancements for our return to service. To develop our future boarding screening process and updated health protocols, we are collaborating with government health authorities, the Cruise Lines International Association, and our own team of medical experts. These processes and protocols are not yet finalized, but when they are, we will be sure to let you know via e-mail.

We know that our 70+ guests and those with chronic conditions are especially eager to understand what cruising will look like in the future. While subject to change, via the Cruise Lines International Association, we have confirmed that the previous restrictions were lifted in early April after cruise lines suspended service.

Please know that every decision we make, and all of the fine-tuning we do, has your clients' well-being in mind. We'll be in touch soon! We miss you and your clients - and can't wait to welcome them back onboard!