Cruise lines announce new navigation data

The arrival of 2021 has been eagerly awaited in the tourism industry. With the new year, it was expected to look at the first rays of the sun before the chaotic panorama experienced in 2020 and to be able to gradually leave the subject of the pandemic, looking towards new horizons.. Hope has not been lost, but the pandemic will be talked about for a long time to come, and this is reflected in the first announcements of the year on the cruise lines that informed the new probable navigation data, extending the cessation period they said. . which would be by March 2021. The latest information confirms that, in most ship lines, this depression will last more than a year since it started in March 2020.

Companies like Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America and Princess cruises have already confirmed the extension of their suspension, while others such as those of Royal Caribbean (which includes Cruises with celebrities, Silversea and Azamara, among others) and Norwegian Cruise Holdings (which includes Norway, Regent Seven Seas and Oceania), have not issued official statements and remain on the previously announced date until 31 March.

These are the extended cancellations, which were announced this week:

• Carnival Cruise Line- Although the company confirmed the general break until March 31, it indicated that it would take other ships to the dry dock for renovation, which would delay other departures. Carnival Freedom will restart the tours on April 10, Carnival Miracle on September 16, Carnival Liberty on October 18 and Carnival Sunshine on November 18.
• Princess Cruises He canceled his travels until May 14, including destinations such as the Caribbean, the California coast, the first departures of the season from Alaska and the Mediterranean.
• Holland America- They will not travel until April 30, but some cancellations will last until August, depending on the routes, and these include the first trips to Alaska, a destination that is usually visited from Canadian ports, which also remain closed. For the time being, trips to Canada and New England will not be made, and those to the Mediterranean will not be suspended until June.

Other cruise lines, such as Virgin Voyages, have indicated that Scarlett Lady, their first ship, which has not yet been launched, will begin voyages on May 9, and Cunard, in turn, plans to sail in June.

These measures are in addition to those previously announced, which include that cruises of more than seven nights departing from any US port will not be able to sail until at least November 1, as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The new cruise line suspension calls into question the most popular cruise seasons of the year, such as Alaska, which usually begins in May. There is still hope that some trips can be made if sailing is allowed before September, as the season only lasts until that month, but there are many who bet that this year will be the second in which it will not be possible to travel until September. called the “Last Frontier.”

On the other hand, in Europe, where regions such as the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea have the highest number of summer trips, it is also unknown whether it will be feasible to deal with international tourists, especially North Americans. which are the largest number of passengers in that destination. So the news about these trips is eagerly awaited and the restrictions are examined with caution, as they not only have an impact on cruise lines, but are also responsible for injecting millions of dollars into airlines, hotels and attractions. from that continent. .

Although the Mediterranean voyages started at the end of 2020, with MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises, these companies stopped them in December due to the new restrictions imposed by the destinations due to the outbreak of COVID-19. MSC will continue them from January 24, and Costa Cruises will sail again in February.

“Cruise lines have implemented extraordinary health and safety protocols and continue to focus on innovative practices and responsible return tourism,” said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of the International Association of Cruise Lines (CLIA), painting an O optimistic outlook for this industry in 2021, despite outbreaks of COVID-19.

Passengers have not lost their money, have refunds or loans

As has been the case since the beginning of the pandemic, passengers with canceled travel reservations will receive a “Future Cruise Credit” (FCC) or a refund. It is important that you continue to communicate with your travel agent or cruise line for the procedure that applies in each case.