Carnival Corporation has announced the cancellation of all cruises from the U.S. until 2021 impacting Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and more.
Carnival Extends Suspension in North America
It’s finally been announced and comes as no surprise that the world’s largest cruise company has decided to cancel all cruises from North America until 2021. This follows other major cruise lines that have cancelled cruises from the U.S.
It’s a big blow for Carnival but it’s obvious the cruise company is not yet ready to resume operations safely and time is needed to implement new health procedures. The CDC announced a new Conditional Sailing Order and this 40-page framework needs to be followed too. We already know that Carnival Cruise Line recently asked for patience so it can review the new details and requirements from the CDC.
Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation, said:
“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.”
“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.”
What Now for Carnival?
Well, Carnival continues to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and relevant health authorities as well as top health experts on a comprehensive plan on resuming cruises from North America next year.
Looking through the framework from the CDC, more time is going to be needed to make sure everything is in place to keep guests and crew members safe at all times. Crew members will need to be trained and test facilities set up which is going to take time. The CDC has also detailed the need for trial sailings to stress-test new protocols first.
Further Suspensions, Full Coverage:
- MSC Cruises Suspends U.S. Departures Until Next Year
- Royal Caribbean Cancels Remaining 2020 Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels All Cruises Until 2021
Lot’s of work to be done and it needs to be done right. All the major cruise lines have now suspended operations from the U.S. and cruising is over until next year but when it does resume, it’s going to be safer than ever.
Until then Carnival ships will remain on hold and we already know that crew members are heading back to ships, likely to begin training.
Also Read: The Next Steps Cruise Lines Need to Take on Resuming Cruises
It came as no surprise really as Carnival Cruise Line removed all December sailings from its booking engine and today Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises all announced a further suspension through December 31, 2020.
Photo Credit: Yoga Ardi Nugroho / Shutterstock.com
