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When will the cruise industry resume?

The cruise industry has taken nothing short of a battering in recent months with the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, but thin shards of light are starting to emerge that suggest cruises may one day resume. So that you can find the information all in one place, here are extracts from the latest official statements for a number of the world’s leading cruise lines. AIDA Cruises
Unfortunately, normalisation before the end of June 2020 can no longer be expected due to the current entry regulations in our destinations. These exceptional and unforeseeable circumstances therefore force AIDA to extend the temporary interruption of the AIDA travel season again. The German government has issued a worldwide travel warning until at least mid-June. Unfortunately, all trips up to and including 30 June 2020 cannot take place as planned.
Azamara Club Cruises
Our most recent plan was to resume operation May 12, 2020. However, after consulting with our partners at Cruise Lines International Association and in conjunction with the CDC, our global suspension has been extended another month. Unfortunately, all sailings departing on and before June 11, 2020 will be cancelled, and we plan to resume operation on June 12.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line issued the following update to our news release today concerning a further delay of operations for most of our fleet until August 31. Some of the media reports have not fully conveyed the contents of our previous media statement and why certain itineraries were not being cancelled. Carnival reiterates that this is our current plan contingent on a number of factors. Any resumption of cruise operations – whenever that may be – is fully dependent on our continued efforts in cooperation with federal, state, local and international government officials. In our continued support of public health efforts, any return to service will also include whatever enhanced operational protocols and social gathering guidelines that are in place at the time of the resumption of cruise operations.
Celebrity Cruises
Given global public health circumstances, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has decided to extend the suspension of sailings of our global fleet through June 11, 2020. We are working with our guests to address this disruption to their vacations, and we are genuinely sorry for their inconvenience. We expect to return to service on June 12.
Celestyal Cruises
Celestyal Cruises has taken the difficult but responsible decision to announce that it is to extend the suspension of its sailings until 29th June 2020. Currently, cruises will resume on this date with the four-night Iconic Aegean sailing round trip from Athens.
Costa Cruises
Due to the continuation of the emergency situation linked to the global pandemic of Covid-19 and with the continuation of containment measures such as closing ports and restrictions on the movement of people which do not actually allow to operate, the Company extends the suspension to the whole month of June.
CroisiEurope Cruises
The evolution of the current situation related to COVID-19 and the international pandemic leads us to extend the postponement of our cruises through (an inclusive) June 30, 2020. The safety and well-being of our passengers and our crews remains at the center of our concerns and all of our decisions and actions will be taken with that in mind.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages I was unable to find an official statement on their website but, according to Cruise Trade News:
Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has extended the suspension of all their worldwide cruises from 25 May to 30 June 2020.
Crystal Cruises
Crystal is aware of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announcement yesterday to extend the No Sail Order issued on March 14, 2020. Crystal has already voluntarily suspended operations across our full fleet through the end of May. Crystal will continue to monitor the situation and we will inform guests and their travel advisors as soon as possible of any change in our sailing plans.
This was later followed with more specific information:
Crystal continues to closely monitor the latest developments as the unprecedented situation concerning COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. Due to temporary closures of European ports, it is with regret that we have made the decision to cancel the following Crystal Cruises sailings: • OCS200607-12 | Crystal Symphony | June 7, 2020 | 12 nights | Lisbon to London • OCS200607-05 | Crystal Symphony | June 7, 2020 | 5 nights | Lisbon to Bordeaux • OCS200612-07 | Crystal Symphony | June 12, 2020 | 7 nights | Bordeaux to London • OCS200619-14 | Crystal Symphony | June 19, 2020 | 14 nights | London to Copenhagen • OCY200607-07 | Crystal Serenity | June 7, 2020 | 7 nights | Venice to Athens • OCY200614-12 | Crystal Serenity | June 14, 2020 | 12 nights | Athens to Barcelona
Cunard Line
Cunard has extended its pause in operations up to and including 31 July 2020 as a result of the continued impact of Covid-19 and following global guidelines. In addition, all 2020 Alaska sailings on board Queen Elizabeth, including voyages up until 8 September 2020, are now unfortunately cancelled. As we work through the evolving guidelines and restrictions in ports of call around the world, future itineraries may be subject to change and we are looking at how we phase our ships back into service.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line is suspending all new departures through June 18, 2020, Disney Magic Sailings through July 2, 2020 and Vancouver Sailings until the end of June.
Fred Olsen
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has confirmed that it will be extending its pause in sailings beyond 23rd May 2020 in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Peter Deer, Managing Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “At this stage I am not able to confirm a date when we can expect to resume normal operations, as what I don’t want to do is set an expectation and not be able to deliver what we promise. What I can say is that we are keeping a very close eye on the latest guidance from the relevant authorities, including the UK Government and Public Health England, as well as overseas policies.
Hapag Lloyd Cruises
The current developments pose great challenges for all of us in the travel industry around the world, due to the situation changing very dynamically. With the spread of the respiratory diseases (COVID-19) and the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), currently several countries have tightened their entry requirements and, until further notice, travel restrictions are to be expected. This has a massive impact on planned calls by cruise ships and travel in general. Therefore, all of the fleet’s voyages are suspended temporarily, probably until mid June.
Holland America Line
With travel restrictions continuing for the near future due to global health concerns, Holland America Line has decided to extend its pause of global cruise operations and cancel all Alaska, Europe and Canada/New England cruises in 2020. In addition, Amsterdam will not operate the 79-day Grand Africa voyage that would have departed on October 3.
Hurtigruten
Following the latest developments of the coronavirus pandemic, we have decided to continue a temporary suspension of our operations: Norwegian Coastal Voyages: Operations will be suspended until 20 May 2020. As of now, the first scheduled round trip departure from Bergen will be on 21 May. Expedition Cruises: See the updated list of cancelled expedition cruises here New cancellations from 5 May 2020 include MS Fridtjof Nansen in Norway, MS Fram in Iceland, and MS Spitsbergen and MS Nordstjernen in Svalbard. Sailings with MS Roald Amundsen in North America this summer will also be cancelled due to travel restrictions.
Marella Cruises by TUI
Due to the ongoing situation regarding COVID-19, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have advised against all but essential travel. Unfortunately, this means that we’re no longer able to offer TUI holidays travelling on or before 11 June 2020 and Marella Cruises sailings travelling on or before 30 June 2020. We’ve also made the difficult decision to postpone the launch of TUI River Cruises until 26 November 2020.
MSC Cruises
We at MSC Cruises have decided to further extend the halting of all our new cruise departures fleet-wide through to 10 July, in light of the continued extraordinary circumstances the world is facing in connection with the Covid-19 virus global health emergency. We have previously announced the temporary halting of all its ships globally through to 29 May. As governments across the globe have since further strengthened ashore public health and safety measures to protect local populations and contain the further spread of the virus, today’s decision by MSC Cruises to further extend this extraordinary measure aims to mirror and further support the effectiveness of such efforts.
Norwegian Cruise Line
The safety, security and well-being of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our number one priority. We continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 coronavirus situation and the global health environment. With COVID-19 continuing to impact communities and ports around the globe, we have extended our voluntary temporary suspension of voyages. Our suspension that was for voyages embarking March 13 to May 14 has been extended to now include all voyages embarking through June 30, 2020.
Oceania Cruises
At Oceania Cruises, the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the communities we visit has always been and remains our highest priority. Given continued global efforts to combat the spread of the global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, on March 30th, we announced a temporary voluntary suspension of voyages from April 12th to May 14th, 2020. On April 24th, we extended our suspension of voyages to include all voyages through June 30, 2020.
Paul Gauguin Cruises
As you know, the current pandemic situation has led us to temporarily suspend the operation of the company’s entire fleet. Our vocation as sailors is to take you traveling the seas of the world, and we know your cruise is an important event that you look forward to with pleasure and anticipation long in advance. We look forward to resuming our voyages in the near future and continuing to offer our guests exceptional cruise experiences in Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji, and the South Pacific.
P&O Cruises UK
P&O Cruises is extending its pause in operations up to and including July 31, 2020 as a result of the continued impact of COVID-19. With the current lockdown in place and government guidelines around the world advising against travel it has been necessary to extend the pause in our operations.
PONANT
As you know, the current pandemic situation has led us to temporarily suspend the operation of our entire fleet. It is highly regrettable and disappointing to have to cancel or postpone cruises. Our vocation as sailors is to take you travelling the seas of the world, and we know your cruise is an important event that you begin looking forward to with pleasure and anticipation long in advance.
We could see no official statement on when PONANT plan to resume operations. Princess Cruises
Due to reduced air flight availability, the closure of cruise ports in regions around the world and other factors impacting international travel, Princess Cruises is extending its pause of global ship operations and has therefore made the extremely difficult decision to cancel select cruises through the end of the 2020 summer season, including the following cruises and associated cruisetours: All remaining Alaska cruises on Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess All remaining Europe and Transatlantic cruises on Enchanted Princess, Regal Princess, Sky Princess, Crown Princess and Island Princess Summer Caribbean cruises and all Canada & New England cruises on Caribbean Princess and Sky Princess Summer to Fall cruises departing from Japan on Diamond Princess Australia-based cruises on Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess through August July cruises sailing from Taiwan on Majestic Princess Fall cruises sailing to Hawaii and French Polynesia on Pacific Princess through November
Pullmantur
Pullmantur Cruceros anuncia la prolongación de la suspensión de su operativa de cruceros a nivel global hasta el próximo 3 de julio de 2020. La compañía confía en retomar su actividad a partir del 4 de julio de 2020.
…which translates to mean…
Pullmantur Cruceros announces the extension of the suspension of its cruise operations globally until July 3, 2020. The company hopes to resume its activity from July 4, 2020.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 coronavirus situation and the global health environment. With COVID-19 continuing to impact communities and ports around the globe, we have extended our voluntary temporary suspension of voyages embarking through June 30, 2020.
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Given global public health circumstances, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has decided to extend the suspension of sailings of our global fleet through June 11, 2020. We are working with our guests to address this disruption to their vacations, and we are genuinely sorry for their inconvenience. We expect to return to service on June 12.
Scenic
We are closely monitoring the changing global situation and we continue to take guidance from government restrictions and advisories, including port and border closures. All our land tour, river and ocean cruise operations are temporarily suspended until 30 June 2020
Seabourn
Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury travel experience, announced today that it will extend the voluntary pause of global operations for its five cruise ships. The pause will apply to each of Seabourn’s five ships differently with each having a different “effective through” date in either October or November. Specific details are as follows: Seabourn Odyssey: paused through the Europe season, with its operations pause effective through November 20. Seabourn Sojourn: paused through Alaska/British Columbia season, with its operations pause effective through October 13. Seabourn Quest: paused through the Canada/New England season, with its operations pause effective through November 6. Seabourn Encore: paused through the Europe season, with its operations pause effective through October 19. Seabourn Ovation: paused through Europe season, with its operations pause effective through November 6.
SeaDream
Due to the Covid-19 (“Coronavirus”) pandemic, we are pausing our operations until May 15, 2020. We are proactively reaching out to guests and travel agents affected.
Silversea
While we have suspended all current voyages with your wellbeing in mind, we understand that you may be waiting to travel once again. A common trait among all those with a passion for discovery: rough waters only strengthen our yearning to explore the authentic beauty of our planet. Silversea’s global family will reunite on the following voyages, as our ships recommence their itineraries around the world: Silver Cloud: • E4200621009 – Silver Cloud will set sail on June 21, 2020 Silver Wind: • SW200613016 – Silver Wind will welcome guests once more from June 13, 2020 Silver Shadow: • SS200618010 – Silver Shadow will commence service once again from June 18, 2020 Silver Spirit: • SL200625010 – Silver Spirit will set sail on June 25, 2020 Silver Muse: • SM200702007 – From July 2, 2020, Silver Muse will resume sailing Silver Whisper: • WH200618015 – Silver Whisper will commence service once again from June 18, 2020 Silver Explorer: • E1200618018 – Guests will cruise on Silver Explorer again from June 18, 2020 Silver Galapagos: • 8024 – Silver Galapagos will welcome guests once more from June 13, 2020
Star Clippers
With continued Governmental advice against global travel, all countries worldwide are still closed to cruise ships and most flights have been cancelled until further notice. The ports currently closed to cruise ships include those situated in Italy, Greece, Indonesia & Singapore and we have been advised that these ports are unlikely to reopen in the short term. Therefore, Star Flyer, Star Clipper & Royal Clipper saildates are cancelled until the end of June 2020. Further saildates, from July 2020 onwards, will be reviewed soon.
TUI Cruises
Due to the ongoing situation regarding COVID-19, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have advised against all but essential travel. Unfortunately, this means that we’re no longer able to offer TUI holidays travelling on or before 11 June 2020 and Marella Cruises sailings travelling on or before 30 June 2020. We’ve also made the difficult decision to postpone the launch of TUI River Cruises until 26 November 2020.
Viking Ocean Cruises
On March 11, 2020, Viking was the first cruise line to temporarily suspend operations of our river and ocean cruises. Our commitment to our family of guests and employees is that their safety and wellbeing is always our top priority. In that spirit, we have made the decision to extend our temporary suspension of operations through June 30, 2020.
Virgin Voyages
As a brand, Virgin has always championed our customers and, most importantly, listened to them. With those principles in mind and based on your feedback, our team has made the very difficult decision to postpone the Showcase Tour launch and inaugural sailing season for Scarlet Lady until July 15, 2020, with our Maiden Voyage taking place August 7, 2020. The business is well supported and our partnership between the Virgin Group and Bain Capital means that Virgin Voyages can remain focused on the health and safety of our Sailors and Crew.
Windstar Cruises
Due to the continued effects of COVID-19 on the world’s population and expanded travel restrictions enacted by multiple governments, Windstar Cruises is extending its temporary suspension of operations until June 30, 2020. Windstar will begin operating cruises aboard its yachts and small ships again in July 2020.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.

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3 Comments

  1. I wonder if the various cruise lines will have to put back some of these dates. It does strike me as a little too much too soon. I worry about a second peak.

  2. I’m all for the cruise industry getting back on its feet, but not in a risky manner that may cost lives. Money before lives doesn’t feel ethical to me and just because you give the choice to the public, doesn’t really exonerate us from responsibility.

  3. Wow, that’s a lot of cruise lines. I only know of 5 which I’ve sailed with before. Some I’ve only heard while I was researching for itineraries. Looks like most will re-open their sailings by the end of June. However, I am more inclined to think that would be further moved if we continue to see the thousands of new cases still logged every day from every part of the globe. And, if I may opine, I think I would feel safer to travel on any kind of vessel once we have a vaccine. I will be very much afraid to even touch anything outside of my home. It’s really sad, but I firmly believe that we can all go back to our love of traveling next year.

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