25th Aug 2020 11:13
(Alliance News) - Carnival PLC on Tuesday said its Cunard cruise line has extended the operation pause for three of its ships from November until around spring 2021.
The cruise ship operator also announced that Costa Cruises has obtained certification of a biological risk prevention system developed by RINA.
The FTSE 250-listed company said that following guidance from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office as well as the complexity of operating world voyages, operations for Cunard's ship Queen Elizabeth will be paused until March 25, 2021, Queen Mary 2 will be halted until April 18, 2021 and Queen Victoria until May 16, 2021.
"We are so sorry to all those guests who were due to sail on any of the cancelled voyages and for the disappointment this news will cause. After very careful consideration and reviewing the latest guidance, we simply do not feel it would be sensible to start sailing again with our current schedule so we have reviewed future itineraries," said Cunard President Simon Palethorpe.
Carnival added that the Queen Elizabeth has returned to the UK and due to uncertainty over the re-opening of many ports and countries, all the ships sailings due to depart between March 26, 2021 and December 13, 2021, in and around Australia, Japan and Alaska will be cancelled.
These voyages will be replaced with a programme of shorter duration European holidays ranging from three to 14 nights, departing from Southampton and starting at the end of March 2021.
Separately, Carnival said Italian arm Costa Cruises has obtained a RINA Biosafety Trust Certification and has introduced Covid-19 tests for all guests on board its ships. Guests for cruises which are scheduled to restart in September will undergo swab tests before boarding.
Shares in Carnival were trading 2.2% higher at 1,006.50 pence each on Tuesday morning in London.
By Ife Taiwo; [email protected]
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