Royal Caribbean Responds To Nurses Who Claim Cruise Line Won't Refund Them

UPDATE: Royal Caribbean responded to the report, issuing a statement disputing what NURSECON told TMZ.

"Royal Caribbean has been extremely flexible with Nursecon and has provided them with the option to offer their guests a refund on their cruise fare plus taxes and fees, or a 125% future cruise credit. Royal Caribbean deeply appreciates the efforts of our nurses, doctors and health-care professionals working on the frontlines during this public health crisis, and we applaud their sacrifices to help protect our communities."

A group of nurses planning to attend a networking convention on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship have been informed that they will not be receiving a refund after the voyage was canceled due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

According to a report from TMZ, officials with NURSECON at Sea sent a letter to everybody who purchased tickets informing them that Royal Caribbean was unwilling to pay them back for the cost of the canceled cruise. Instead, they would receive a rain check to attend a future NURSECON in 2021, 2022, or 2023. The cruise company did agree to refund them for any extra packages and excursions they purchased and will give them a $100 credit to spend on the ship.

While NURSECON told TMZ that the no-refunds policy was the best option for everybody involved, a few nurses told the outlet they were not happy and would much rather get their money back.

There are currently more than 6,000 people stranded on cruise ships around the world. They may be there for a while after the U.S. Coast Guard told cruise lines that their vessels will have to stay at sea for an "indefinite period of time" or seek help from the country they are registered in.

To keep up to date on the latest news about the coronavirus and to understand what you need to stay safe and healthy, check out the Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction podcast from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Photo: Getty Images


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content