Last week the CDC lifted its No Sail Order and replaced it with the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order. The announcement was met with a sigh of relief: there is light at the end of the tunnel. But before the cruise lines can set sail again they need to make sure their new health & safety protocols comply with the requirements outlined by the CDC’s Framework. In order to do so the cruise lines are extending their pause in operations for the remainder of the year.
Carnival Corporation
Carnival Corporation’s North American cruise line brands – Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard North America, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn – will extend their existing pause in operations, suspending cruise voyages between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, 2020.
“Our highest responsibility and top priorities are always compliance, protecting the environment, and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the people in communities we touch, our crew and shoreside employees,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation. “We continue to work with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and global government and public health authorities, as well as top medical and science experts around the globe, on a comprehensive plan for the eventual restart of cruising in North America. With their collective guidance, we have developed and continue to update our enhanced health and safety protocols that are in the best interest of our guests, crew and overall public health. Whenever we restart our cruise operations in the U.S., we certainly look forward to welcoming our guests on board.”
The date for restarting cruise operations will be communicated by each respective brand individually.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, has announced an extension of its previously announced suspension of global cruise voyages to include all voyages embarking between December 1 through December 31, 2020 for its three cruise brands.
In a brief statement the company said it will “continue to work in tandem with global government and public health authorities and its Healthy Sail Panel expert advisors to take all necessary measures to protect its guests, crew and the communities visited.”
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises is further extensing the temporary pause of its U.S.-based sailings through to and including December 31, 2020. Cancellations include all Port Canaveral departures aboard MSC Seaside and PortMiami departures aboard MSC Armonia and MSC Meraviglia.
Royal Caribbean Group
Royal Caribbean Group – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea – will be extending the suspension of sailings to include those departing on or before December 31, 2020, excluding sailings from Singapore. Celebrity Cruises has already suspended their full 2020/21 Winter program in Australia and Asia. Additionally, Azamara has suspended their 2020/21 Winter sailings throughout Australia & New Zealand, South Africa and South America.