Carnival Cruise Line has removed cruises over seven days long from its web site until late 2021. This comes as the cruise line works on resuming cruises in early 2021 and has currently suspended operations for the remainder of 2020.
Those looking at booking a cruise vacation with Carnival for 2021 will notice a difference right now. The cruise line has removed cruises that are over 7-days long until November 2021.
It’s already been widely discussed online across social media that Carnival could remove longer sailings. We already know the cruise line had limited departures when it was still aiming to resume cruises just from Port Canaveral and Miami in November and December 2020. By doing this, Carnival can ensure a more safe return of operations with new health measures in place.
At the moment on the Carnival website, there are plenty of cruises to choose from through 2021. Guests will have to wait until November to book a longer 8-day cruise or more.
Carnival Dream shows 8-day cruises out of Galveston Texas from November 6, 2021. Carnival Magic is showing 8-day cruises from Port Canaveral from November 6, 2021. Carnival Horizon shows departures from Miami for 8-day cruises from November 13, 2021. Carnival Freedom is also showing 8-day sailings from November 20 out of Miami.
Also Read: The Next Steps Cruise Lines Need to Take on Resuming Cruises
Why Has Carnival Removed Longer Cruises?
So the reason why Carnival has ditched the longer sailings is due to the new framework that was announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on October 30, 2020. The framework proposes a cap on week-long sailings and to remain on the safe side. In anticipation of the resumption of cruises in 2021, Carnival removed those cruises from its booking engine.
Cruise Hive reached out to Carnival Cruise Line about the removal of longer cruises and here is the statement we received:
We continue discussions with the CDC about the Oct. 30 order which lays out conditions under which cruising in the U.S. can resume, including a proposed 7-day cap on itineraries. For the time being, we have closed for sale any 8-day or longer cruises from the U.S. We have not taken any other action on these cruises, and will update guests and travel agents once we make decisions about these itineraries.
Carnival continues to have discussions with the CDC on resuming operations from the U.S. and implementing new health measures to keep guests and crew safe. There’s a lot to review in the 40-page framework from the CDC, and the cruise line has already asked guests, travel professionals, and travel agents for patience while it reviews it.
No other action has been made on any cruises and once the cruise line knows more it will be providing further updates to guests and travel agents. For now, the cruises have simply been removed while discussions continue.
Trial Sailings: Crew Members or Guest Volunteers?
Carnival Cruise Line has currently suspended operations through December 31, 2020 along with other major cruise lines. Before then, a number of trial sailings will need to be done to stress-test new protocols. Once sailings do resume in 2021 it will likely just be a few ships.
