Carnival, Princess and P&O extend Aussie cruise pause

January 13, 2020: Cruise ship Ruby Princess, of Princess Cruises, moored at Circular Quay in Sydney Harbour.

By Alexandra Coulton

Three Carnival Corporation cruise lines have extended their cruise pause within Australia due to travel restrictions set up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Carnival Cruise Line, P&O and Princess Cruises have extended their voluntary suspension of Australian sailings with Princess announcing a later return date than Carnival and P&O.

Carnival Cruise Line will extend until 29 October 2020, citing restrictions in Australia as its reason.

“With COVID-19 still evolving, Carnival is working closely with the best minds in medical science and public health to understand the unique challenges posed by the virus and how best to apply the latest science across its operations,” the cruise line said in a statement.

“Carnival will resume cruising when the company feels it can continue to serve the interests of public health and will do so with enhanced health measures developed in conjunction with government health authorities, public health experts, local ports of call and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).”

P&O also extended its pause in operations to 29 October in response to the pandemic, with the line’s president Sture Myrmell adding that while everyone hoped sailings would resume soon, it had become increasingly clear that more time was needed for society to reinstate many modes of travel and community gatherings.

“The path to society reopening fully is continuing to evolve – and cruising will return when science and public health align and people again feel comfortable to meet. With this in mind, we have reviewed the current end date of our pause in cruise operations,” Myrmell said.

“We will continue to use this time to liaise with authorities, public health experts and others in the industry to develop enhanced public health measures for when the time is right to resume sailing.

“This is by far the most challenging time the travel sector has ever experienced. However, like so many of our loyal guests and partners, we look forward to better times ahead when we can cruise again. We thank everyone for their unswerving loyalty, patience and goodwill.”

Princess Cruises extended its pause for sailings in and out of Australia on Majestic Princess, Regal Princess, Sapphire Princess, Sea Princess, and Sun Princess through October 31, 2020.

However, the line has also extended other global sailings including in Asia, Caribbean, California Coast, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, South America and Antarctica, Japan, and Tahiti/South Pacific through 15 December 2020.

“We share in our guests’ disappointment in cancelling these cruises,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises’ president.

“We look forward to the days when we can return to travel and the happiness it brings to all who cruise.”

This comes as The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US has extended its No Sail Order for cruise ships through 30 September 2020, suspending passenger operations on cruise ships with the capacity to carry at least 250 passengers in US waters.

Featured image source: iStock/SteveLuker

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