5th May 2020 08:36
(Alliance News) - Carnival PLC on Tuesday said any resumption of cruise line operations will be dependent on government approvals and will include enhanced operational protocols and social distancing guidelines.
The Anglo-American cruise operator has been hit hard by the global Covid-19 pandemic, with port restrictions around the world forcing the company to halt cruise operations and offer refunds to customers. It also had to raise around GBP6.5 billion in April to bolster its liquidity position.
Shares in the FTSE 100 company were up 5.5% at 1,017.50 pence each in London.
"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," the FTSE-100 listed company set out on Tuesday.
"We are committed to supporting all public health efforts to manage the COVID-19 situation and will continue to keep our guests, travel agent partners and other stakeholders informed," it added.
The statement came following the company's announcement on Monday of the resumption of some North American cruise operations from August 31.
Carnival on Monday had said it plans to phase in resumption of its North American service over the summer, with operations to remain on pause in all but eight of its ships.
The eight ships to resume operations included the Carnival Dream, Carnival Freedom and Carnival Vista ships from Galveston, Texas; Carnival Horizon, Carnival Magic and Carnival Sensation ships from Miami, Florida; and Carnival Breeze and Carnival Elation from Port Canaveral, Floria.
All North American cruises between June 27 and July 31 were cancelled and, outside of the eight ships specified, all other North American cruises are cancelled through August 31.
Separately, Carnival's P&O Cruises unit on Tuesday announced an extension to its voluntary pause in operations in Australia and New Zealand to August 31, due to continuing travel restrictions as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Australia and New Zealand have led the world in flattening the COVID-19 curve, which adds to our optimism for the future. However, we also recognise that a further extension is the prudent and responsible course," said P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell
The extended pause in operations will affect sailings on Pacific Dawn scheduled to depart Brisbane, Australia, between June 16 and August 26. Pacific Explorer's cruises from Sydney, Australia, will now be paused between June 24 and August 24
In New Zealand, the company's Pacific Aria's scheduled cruises from Auckland will be postponed from July 4 to August 23.
By Tapan Panchal; [email protected]
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