Windstar updates cancellation policy, enacts COVID-19 precautions

Windstar Cruises has updated its cancellation policy for travellers departing on or after June 1, 2020, allowing them to cancel up to 15 days before their cruise departs without incurring a cancellation fee.

Windstar’s Travel Assurance Booking Policy automatically applies to new and existing cruises departing on or after June 1, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2021, the cruise line said.

Travelers who cancel a cruise booking up to 15 days prior to departure will receive a 100 per cent Future Cruise Credit to be used on another Windstar departure within one year of the issue date of the credit. The offer is good for cruise fare only.

Current health precautions and policies

In light of the COVID-19 situation, Windstar Cruises has also implemented an enhanced health screening questionnaire for guests and crew to screen for possible infections. Additionally, crew travel through mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea has been suspended, and Windstar will deny boarding to anyone who in the 30 days prior to embarkation has been in or traveled from or through China, Hong Kong, Macau, or South Korea, or has had close contact with anyone suspected or diagnosed as having coronavirus COVID-19.

Prior to boarding a ship, all passengers and crew will be administered a no-touch thermal scan to screen for fever. Anyone with a fever (≥38 C°/100.4 F°) will not be allowed to board the ship.

Out of an abundance of caution, Windstar has cancelled all Asia sailings in 2020.

“The safety and security of guests and crew are the utmost priority at Windstar Cruises. Windstar’s knowledgeable team may make additional deployment changes based on current events,” the company said.

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