NEWS who want a refund, our employees have been working very hard to process requests as quickly as possible and will continue to do so, including in collaboration with our travel agency partners. We have in place an easy online refund process and we have also reached out to customers directly to advise them of their options. Still, given only approximately 40% of eligible customers have requested a refund, we are extending the initial deadline for requests." The COVID-19 refund policy covers tickets and Air Canada Vacations packages purchased for flights cancelled either by the airline or by the customer for any reason was initially due to expire June 12, 2021. As of April 13, 2021, the day on which the COVID-19 refund policy came into effect, Air Canada had a total of 1.8 million of its customer bookings eligible for a refund. Air Canada customers also have the option of accepting a fully transferrable Air Canada Travel Voucher (ACTV) with no expiry date or converting the value of their ticket to Aeroplan points with a 65% bonus. Customers who have already accepted an ACTV or Aeroplan points also have the option to exchange these for a refund to the original form of payment, including for the unused portion of any ACTV issued or in cases where a partial refund was provided. Customers can request a refund online at aircanada.com/refund until July 12, 2021. The policy also applies to Air Canada Vacations packages. Customers who booked through a travel agency are asked to contact their agent directly. As Air Canada notes: “In support of its travel agency partners, Air Canada is not recalling agency sales commissions on refunded tickets that they process.” As for the airline's future travel policy, Air Canada's new refund policy of offering customers options of refunds, an Air Canada Travel Voucher or equivalent value in Aeroplan Points with a 65% bonus should the airline cancel or reschedule a flight by more than three hours, is applicable to all tickets purchased. In other news, Air Canada says it will recall more than 2,600 employees as it prepares for an increase in demand for flights. 10 | TRAVELWEEK | June 17, 2021
Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas
Carnival & Royal Caribbean announce U.S. comeback in July MIAMI — After more than a year’s pause in U.S. waters, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have at long last announced their return to service from U.S. ports starting next month. The news follows Royal Caribbean’s previously announced plans to resume sailings from the Caribbean in June, as well as to Alaska from Seattle in July and August. Carnival Cruise Line, meanwhile, announced last week that it had been granted CDC approval for its port agreements for PortMiami, Port of Galveston and Port Canaveral.
The new Odyssey of the Seas will set sail from Fort Lauderdale on new Caribbean cruises, soon to be followed by Allure, Symphony, Independence and Mariner of the Seas. CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE Carnival Cruise Line plans to return to guest operations from Port of Galveston on July 3 with Carnival Vista, followed by the return of operations on Carnival Breeze on July 15. These cruises are available to guests who have received their final dose of a CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the start of the cruise and have proof of vaccination, in accordance with CDC guidelines.
The other ship and port identified for a July restart is Carnival Horizon from PortMiami. Carnival will be advising guests and travel advisors about its plans for August sailings in the coming days. ROYAL CARIBBEAN Royal Caribbean has confirmed that six of its ships will begin sailing from major U.S. cruise ports in Florida and Texas in July and August. The line’s comeback will kick off on July 2 in Miami with Freedom of the Seas embarking on a special Fourth of July weekend sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay. By the end of August, 12 Royal Caribbean ships will once again cruise across The Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska and Europe. On the heels of its return to the U.S. will be the debut of the brand new Odyssey of the Seas on July 3. The ship will set sail from Fort Lauderdale on new six- and eight-night Caribbean cruises, soon to be followed by Allure, Symphony, Independence and Mariner of the Seas. In the coming weeks, Royal Caribbean will announce plans to reintroduce its full fleet around the world by year’s end. The 2021 summer cruises are now available to book. The full summer lineup is as follows: • Freedom of the Seas: 3- and 4-night Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay sailings from Miami, starting July 2 • Odyssey of the Seas: 6- and 8-night Southern and Western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, starting July 3 • Serenade of the Seas: 7-night Alaska sailings from Seattle, starting July 19 • Allure of the Seas: 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, starting Aug. 8 • Ovation of the Seas: 7-night Alaska itin-
