Carnival Cruise Line has finally announced an extension of its suspension of cruise operations, which will now be on hold through May 11, 2020.
Carnival Cruise Line Extends Pause on Cruises
After some delay, Carnival Cruise Line has made the decision to extend its suspension on cruises through May 11, 2020, due to the current emergency around the world, including the United States.
We first expected a decision by March 27 but the cruise line announced it would delay that until today. It was thought that Carnival was working out a way to resume sailings on the original date or it was related to a possible government bailout for cruise lines.
Carnival Cruise Line posted the following announcement:
All North American Sailings through to May 11, 2020. As COVID-19 continues to impact global health and commerce, we are sorry top extend our pause in our operations until May 11.
If you have an impacted sailing, you will have received an email direct from Carnival or your Travel Advisor. This email will have all the instructions you need to claim your cancelation offer or refund.
The cruise line, which is based in Miami, Florida, originally suspended operations until April 10, 2020, but with COVID-19 spreading around the world and forcing huge lockdowns in multiple countries that seemed very unrealistic. Other major cruise lines, including those owned by parent company Carnival Corporation, have already extended their suspension on operations so today’s announcement from Carnival Cruise Line comes as no surprise.
Also Read: Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises Extend Suspension of Operations Until May 12
The extension only impacts Carnival cruise ships in North America as Carnival Australia has already made an announcement of its extension on ships based down under.
Carnival’s offices in greater Miami remain closed at the moment due to the restrictions and the aim to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The ability to handle calls has been severely impacted, so the cruise line has provided a link for customers to make a selection regarding their impacted sailing. The link is right here.
So at the moment, it means all cruises from March 14 – May 11, 2020, have been cancelled. Also, the sailings for the new Carnival Radiance departing on April 29, May 9, May 21, May 30, and June 11 have also been cancelled. Here’s our previous post about the Carnival Radiance cancellation and halt on dry dock operations.
There are options for cruisers who simply no longer want to go ahead with their cruise vacation as well as for those who would like to rebook. Here is the cancellation policy on offer which provides confidences to cruisers and is much more relaxed than when the situation first started:
This doesn’t just impact passengers but also thousands of crew members who remain on ships that are currently not in use. Carnival has said they remain supportive of the crew and are trying to get them home where possible. There are major travel restrictions in place in multiple countries, which is making it difficult to arrange travel plans for crew members.
At the moment according to Johns Hopkins University, the United States now has more infections than anywhere else in the world with the number currently at more than 148,000. Sadly the death toll in the U.S. stands at more than 2,500.
