22nd Mar 2021 15:23
(Alliance News) - Carnival PLC's Costa Cruises delayed its planned restart for trips around Europe to May 1 from March 27, the FTSE 250-listed company said on Monday, as the continent's vaccine rollout stumbled and fears of a new Covid-19 wave increased.
Shares fell 1.3% to 1,661.50 pence in London in the afternoon trading.
The Costa Smeralda ship was due to start sailing around Italy in March on three- and four-day mini-cruises, but it will now depart on May 1, Carnival said. It was then due to start journeys around Italy, France and Spain on May 1, but that has been pushed back to June 12.
A second ship was due to depart for Greece and Croatia from May 2, but that has been delayed to May 16.
Carnival said it made the decision "in consideration of the restrictions still in place in Italy and other European countries to contain Covid-19." The ships will operate with limited capacity when they do depart, with customers and crew facing swab tests, temperature checks and extra sanitation measures.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi ordered new lockdown measures on March 12, forcing shops and restaurants in most of the country to shut until April 6. France imposed new restrictions on Saturday.
By Ivan Edwards; [email protected]
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