Spain's Council of Ministers announced that in an effort to avoid Coronavirus, cruise ships from any origin will not be permitted to visit Spanish ports between March 13 and 26.

Spain hopes this move will prevent Coronavirus from spreading more quickly, especially given the given how much it has spread in nearby Italy.

The ban is temporary, and could be extended for additional periods not exceeding 14 days and evaluated periodically, particularly taking into account the evolution of the pandemic, especially in Italy.

MSC Cruises announced it has cancelled its March and April sailings in the Persian Gulf due to ports in the United Arab Emirates closing cruise ports due to Coronavirus fears.

The change affects two MSC Cruise ships, MSC Bellissima and MSC Lirica starting from March 14, including the Grand Voyages of MSC Bellissima on March 21 and that of MSC Lirica on April 18.

Princess Cruises announced it has instituted a voluntarily pause on its cruises for 60 days, due to the Coronavirus outbreak.  

If you are wondering how to cancel your Princess Cruise, here is the important information.

If your cruise departs between March 12 to May 10

Princess is offering guests the opportunity to transfer 100% of the money paid for their cancelled cruise to a future cruise of their choice.

Virgin Voyages announced it will delay its inaugural season until July 15, 2020, with the Scarlet Lady's maiden voyage pushed back to August 7, 2020.

Virgin Voyages had delayed its launch and associated media events, “in light of the current global headlines.” This sounds like a reference to the current Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak.

Princess Cruises announced it will institute a 60 day "voluntary and temporary" pause of its cruises due to the global spread of Coronavirus.

The change impacts all sailings departing March 12 to May 10.

Those currently onboard a cruise that will end in the next five days will continue to sail as expected through the end of the itinerary so that onward travel arrangements are not disrupted. 

Current voyages that are underway and extend beyond March 17 will be ended at the most convenient location for guests, factoring in operational requirements. 

Viking Cruises announced due to the coronavirus COVID-19 situation, it will temporarily suspend river and ocean cruise operations operations until May 1, 2020.

The cruise line will temporarily suspend river and ocean vessels embarking from March 12 to April 30, 2020.

Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen issued a letter to currently booked guests.

Dear Viking Guests,

The Port of Seattle announced it has cancelled the first two cruise ship calls of the Alaska cruise season due to concern over the spread of coronavirus.

The April 1 and April 5 visits were one-day  “port of call” sailings, which means that the vessel makes a one-day stop in Seattle on its way to a different destination. Most cruise ships begin and end their sailings from Seattle.

According to reports online, representatives of the cruise industry submitted a proposal to U.S. government officials that would prevent any passenger over the age of 70, or those with chronic medical conditions, from getting on a ship in order to limit the risk Coronavirus plays.

The proposal will be part of a meeting that cruise line officials will discuss during a meeting today at the White House.

Many cruise lines are adding new cancellation policies that aim to ease the concern of cruisers that are worried about the spread of coronavirus.

The policies vary by cruise line, although most are adding a temporary option up to 48 hours before the sail date. 

Here is a look at each cruise line's policy:

Carnival Cruise Line

Guests booked on a sailing before May 31 can receive a future cruise credit for the amount of their cruise that needs to b e used by March 31, 20201.