Cunard Line has announced an extended pause in cruise operations with ships now scheduled to resume sailings in November 2020.
Cunard Line Extends Pause in Operations
The cruise line which is owned by the Carnival Corporation has announced a further extension on its suspension of cruise operations. Cunard is now planning on a return in November 2020 with all three vessels.
Cunard President, Simon Palethorpe, said:
“With many differing restrictions across countries, people’s ability to move freely and safely across borders remains seemingly someway in the distance. For Cunard, where we celebrate having a truly international mix of guests and sail all over the world, this becomes particularly impactful. We also need to better understand the implications Covid-19 will have on board our ships.
We are therefore working, at the highest level possible, with government bodies, including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – the CDC – and Public Health England, as well as the industry collective body – CLIA – and other expert medical professionals to review every aspect of a holiday with us.”
Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria will resume sailings from November 2, 2020 and Queen Elizabeth has cancelled cruises through November 23, 2020 with service resuming from November 24. Cunard President Simon Palethorpe detailed the extended suspension in a new video:
The extension is due to ongoing travel restrictions around the world due to the global pandemic. Cunard Line is now very much focused on working with the relevant health authorities to introduce new procedures for when cruises resume.
Palethorpe added:
“Whilst we have always taken pride in having the highest levels of health and safety, we are looking at enhanced protocols across all aspects of ship life and experiences on shore. We will only return to service when we have a comprehensive restart protocol with the stamps of approval and accreditation from the most trusted and informed sources.”
Those guests impacted by the further cancellation of cruises will be receiving compensation. The cruise line will automatically offer 125% Future Cruise Credit which can be used on a new booking by the end of December 2021. The credit can also be used on new voyages introduced by Cunard in the future.
A simple refund of the entire cruise fare can also be requested online and this will take up to 60 days to go through.
Cunard had previously announced its pause on operations would be on select cruises through early September as we posted here. Parent company Carnival has also axed hundreds of jobs at its headquarters in Southampton where Cunard is also based at.
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