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Cruise lines embark on ‘cancel’ crusade, suspend bookings to Russians

Several cruise lines are not confirming new bookings, but those who had bought ship tickets earlier will be able to go on their voyage

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Costa Cruises and some other foreign cruise lines have suspended sales to Russians, Russia’s tourism business association reported.

"Several cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Costa Cruises, have suspended cooperation with the Russian market - they are not confirming new bookings, but the Russians who had bought ship tickets earlier will be able to go on their voyage," the Association of Tour Operators said in a statement.

Carnival Corporation’s cruise lines have suspended sales and new bookings throughout Russia’s market. Costa Cruises’ partners have been warned not to accept orders from Russians. Earlier in May without prior notice similar steps had been taken by Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line, the association said.

The decision is due to financial risks stemming from the sanctions imposed on Russia by a number of countries, Costa Cruises said in a statement to its partners. Confirmed bookings will not be canceled, but possible issues with payments and refunding need to be taken into account when dealing with these bookings, the company said.