Princess Cruises has ended local sales operations in Taiwan, but its scheduled sailings this year would not be affected, Taiwan International Ports Corp (TIPC) chairman Chou Yung-hui (周永暉) said yesterday, as the Tourism Administration pledged to attract more international cruise operators.
Princess Cruises announced on Facebook that the Web site, social media platforms and local sales operations of its Taiwan branch — Carnival Taiwan — ceased operations on Monday.
The US company said it would no longer accept new bookings through its local operating entity, but existing reservations, passenger rights and related support services remain unaffected. Travelers needing assistance will be provided with appropriate contact information.
Photo: Taipei Times
The move is part of a policy adjustment by parent company Carnival Corp to halt local sales operations in several Asian markets, including Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and South Korea, while retaining direct operations in Japan and Singapore, sources familiar with the matter said.
Future travelers will need to book cruises through Princess Cruises’ global Web site or other international sales channels, the company added.
Chou said the decision was a business strategy adjustment by the cruise operator and would not affect this year’s scheduled port calls in Taiwan.
TIPC will continue discussions with Princess Cruises over adjustments for next year and 2028, he said, adding that a growing number of cruise operators have made maiden calls at Keelung and Kaohsiung ports this year.
Tourism Administration Deputy Director-General Huang Ho-ting (黃荷婷) said the change would have some impact on cruise operations, but Princess Cruises ships would continue to call at Keelung and Kaohsiung.
The agency will work with TIPC to develop more strategic measures to attract international cruise operators and visitors, Huang said.
Wayne Liu (劉喜臨), a professor at National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, said the impact on Taiwan’s cruise market is likely to be limited.
He said the move was more like a travel agency ending its local cruise sales role rather than a reduction in Princess Cruises’ actual services.
The company could still use local travel agencies for sales and ground services if it wanted to use Taiwan as a home port in the future, he said.
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