More cruise lines cancel calls to the Caribbean cruise destination of Antigua after Carnival Cruise Line decided to stop all ship visits from later in the year.
More Cruise Lines Follow
We posted on Tuesday about Carnival Cruise Line canceling calls to the Caribbean cruise destination of Antigua and now more cruise lines have followed.
It was expected that more cruise lines would cancel and now that has become a reality with so far Carnival-owned Holland America Line and Seabourn altering ship itineraries. According to the Antigua News Room, a total of 14 sailings to the island have been canceled for the next season.
A full list was provided which the Antigua authorities were informed about on March 12:
- Seabourn Odyssey – Nov 19, 2019
- MS Volendam – Nov 15, 2019
- Seabourn Odyssey – Nov 28, 2019
- MS Koningsdam – Dec 11, 2019
- Seabourn Odyssey – Dec 12, 2019
- Seabourn Sojourn – Dec 23, 2019
- Seabourn Odyssey – Dec 24, 2019
- Seabourn Odyssey – Jan 9, 2020
- Seabourn Odyssey – Jan 23, 2020
- Seabourn Odyssey – Feb 6, 2020
- Seabourn Odyssey – Feb 20, 2020
- Seabourn Odyssey – Mar 5, 2020
- Seabourn Odyssey – Mar 19, 2020
- MS Volendam – Apr 1, 2020
These calls are in addition to the visits canceled for Carnival Breeze, Carnival Magic, Carnival Legend and Carnival Pride starting from November 2019.
This could just be the beginning of even more cruise lines stopping calls to the island. Carnival Corporation has a huge influence and also owns Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, and P&O Cruises, three cruise brands which could be next to pull out. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line remain to call at the island as normal.
Related: 20 Things to Do in Antigua for Cruise Visitors
Why Are Cruise Lines Pulling Out?
Carnival Cruise Line sent Cruise Hive a response as to why this is happening. The industry is apparently worried about an increase in cost outlines in an agreement and simply the fact that the government is anti-cruise. You can read the full statement we received below from Vance Gulliksen, Carnival Cruise Line:
The cruise industry is concerned about the cost increases outlined in the new concession agreement making Antigua uncompetitive. In addition, the rhetoric coming from the government is clearly anti-cruise and ignores the significant economic impact the industry brings to the island. We have built strong positive relationships with many Caribbean countries and would clearly prefer to support those that have supported us.
The government of Antigua and Barbuda has also made an agreement with London-based Global Ports Holding to invest in expanding the port area. The new expansion would also be able to cater for the much larger Oasis-class vessel from Royal Caribbean. Local outlets including retail facilities are set to be improved too. This may be related to the reasons behind the pullout.
Crime has become a major concern for cruise passengers who visit the island. One of the most recent incidents was when two French passengers were robbed with one of them being stabbed. Those visiting from the ships are have become an easy target.
Let’s see which cruise line will follow. If you do have a cruise booked which includes Antigua in the coming months we suggest you confirm with the cruise line.
Cruise Hive will keep readers informed of the latest developments.
