Princess Cruises ends Taiwan sales operations

Taipei, Sept. 1 (CNA) Princess Cruises has ended local sales operations in Taiwan, but its scheduled sailings this year will not be affected, Taiwan International Ports Corp. (TIPC) Chairman Chou Yung-hui (周永暉) said Tuesday, as the Tourism Administration pledged to attract more international cruise operators.

Princess Cruises announced on Facebook that the website, social media platforms and local sales operations of its Taiwan branch, Carnival Taiwan, ceased operations on Aug. 31.

The American cruise line 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.

The move is part of a policy adjustment by parent company Carnival Corp. & plc 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, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Future travelers will need to book cruises through Princess Cruises' global website or other international sales channels, the company added.

Chou said the decision was a business strategy adjustment by the cruise operator and will not affect this year's scheduled port calls in Taiwan.

He added that TIPC would continue discussions with Princess Cruises over adjustments for 2027 and 2028, while noting that a growing number of cruise operators have made maiden calls at Taiwan's 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 would likely 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, adding that 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.