Royal Caribbean Group has announced an extended suspension on cruise operations for the remainder of 2021.
Royal Caribbean Extends Suspension
With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifting the No-Sail Order and introducing a new framework for resuming cruises, Royal Caribbean has decided to extend its suspension on operations. The cruise line said in a statement that it is working with the CDC and others to make sure cruises can resume safely.
The extension is through December 31, 2020, so we won’t see any cruises until January 1, 2021, at the earliest. This does exclude the departures out of Singapore with Quantum of the Seas, these will be more like trial sailings and a good way for the cruise line to test new health measures.
Our primary goal continues to be a healthy return to service for our guests, crew and the communities we visit.  As we work with the CDC and others toward this shared goal, Royal Caribbean Group will be extending the suspension of sailings to include those departing on or before December 31, 2020, excluding sailings from Singapore. Celebrity Cruises has already suspended their full 2020/21 Winter program in Australia and Asia. Additionally, Azamara has suspended their 2020/21 Winter sailings throughout Australia & New Zealand, South Africa and South America.Â
We will be reaching out to our guests and travel partners to share further details and address any questions or concerns they may have.
The new framework for a Conditional Sailing Order from the CDC went into effect yesterday and remains in place for a year. Cruise lines including Royal Caribbean need to make sure the requirements set in place by the CDC are met and make sure guests and crew remain safe at all times.
Even though Royal Caribbean stated a return of operations from January 1, 2021, don’t expect all the cruise ships to suddenly begin sailing. It will be a slow process and many trial voyages will need to be completed first.
Also Read: Royal Caribbean Reports Huge Losses for the Third Quarter
Do note that Celebrity Cruises has already suspended cruises in Australia and New Zealand for the winter season and the same goes for Azamara for their operations around the world. Royal Caribbean International posted an update on its web site with all the latest details as follows:
At Royal Caribbean International, our guests and crew’s safety and well-being are always our top priorities. After further consulting with our partners at Cruise Lines International Association and in conjunction with the CDC, we have decided to extend the suspension of sailings for our global fleet for all sailings through December 31st, 2020, excluding sailings onboard Quantum of the Seas, with a plan to resume operation on January 1st, 2021.
This news follows Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings that has also cancelled all cruises for the remainder of the year as posted here. Carnival Cruise Line has already removed December cruises from its wen site and could be about to announce the same. Usually once one of the major lines suspends operations, the others follow.
