Major cruise lines are planning multi-stage re-starts in 2021 with a view to a phased, healthy and safe return to service on a gradual regional basis.
Here’s the latest:
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line recently extended its US hiatus to April and hopes to resume sailing in May.
In January, the brand also announced significant implementation and schedule changes for a few ships, including the Carnival Miracle, for which cruises had been canceled through September.
Meanwhile, three other ships had delayed their return to service until November due to plans in dry dock.
As previously announced, the new Mardi Gras had also delayed its first sailings to May 29.
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean resumed operations in December, with a program of short cruises dedicated to the local Singapore market on the Quantum of the Seas. The operation was recently extended to June.
Cruises worldwide are suspended until May 1. Additional cancellations resulted from the sale of the Empress of the Seas and the Majesty of the Seas, which left the fleet in December.
MSC Cruises
Following a decision by the Italian government, MSC was forced to end its operation in the Mediterranean in December, but has already resumed service. MSC Grandiosa has been sailing in the region since August 16 and started sailing with guests again on January 24 for an itinerary that includes visits to Italy and Malta.
Meanwhile, the temporary hiatus from sailings in the US was further extended, with the company canceling sailings until April.
Norwegian Cruise Line
This month, Norwegian Cruise Line announced a new service interruption extension, which now affects all cruises scheduled through May 31.
The company also confirmed that it is continuing to work on a return to service plan to meet the requirements of the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order, issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
After reclaiming personnel for a possible restart, Norwegian recently decided to repatriate all non-essential crew members.
Costa Cruises
After reactivating a total of three ships since September, Costa had to interrupt all operations again in December.
The company initially planned to welcome guests in early January, but the date was later postponed. Now Costa expects to resume service on March 27.
On that date, the Costa Smeralda with 5,200 guests will start a full Italian program with sailings of three, four and seven nights.
From May, the Costa Luminosa will start sailing to Italy and Croatia, while the Smeralda should add calls in France and Spain to its routes.
Disney Cruise Line
After Disney Cruise Line returned its ships to the US in November, it has canceled all departures departing until April 2021. In line with other US operators, the company is currently planning a restart in May.
However, some sailing on Disney Wonder and Disney Magic are also canceled.
Princess Cruises
In January, Princess Cruises extended its operational hiatus with sailings through May 14. Later that month, the company canceled the entire Pacific Princess schedule, which was sold to Azamara.
In addition, cruises of more than seven nights in the United States had already been canceled through November 1.
Other transactions leading to additional cancellations included the early transfer of ships to P&O Australia and the sale of the Sun Princess and Sea Princess.
Genting Cruise Lines
Dream Cruises has recently extended its program of short cruises in Singapore through June 27. On board the World Dream, the sailings are tailored to the local public and have been operating since November.
The Explorer Dream, meanwhile, has been sailing island-hopping routes in Taiwan since July.
AIDA Cruises
After a brief resumption of service on October 17, AIDA resumed cruising on December 5 when AIDAperla embarked on seven-night cruises in the Canary Islands. The ship was soon followed by the AIDAmar, which began sailing in the Canary Islands later that month.
However, the cruises had to be suspended again shortly afterwards due to IT problems.
Now a new lockdown in Germany forced the brand to cancel all operations until March 19.
Famous cruises
In line with other Royal Caribbean Group brands, Celebrity Cruises extended the suspension of service for its global fleet in January. All broadcasts up to and including April 30 have been canceled.
In addition, the company canceled all of Europe and transatlantic cruises on the Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Constellation.
Holland America Line
Holland America Line has extended its cruise break and canceled departures on all ships through April 30.
Mediterranean cruises are canceled until the beginning of June, while Alaska and Canada / New England are in doubt following the Canadian cruise ship ban.
In addition, the cruise line had previously canceled eight or more night cruises calling at a US port until November 1.
TUI Cruises
With a program in Northern Europe, TUI Cruises was one of the first cruise lines to set sail on July 23.
The German brand is currently active in the Canary Islands, with both the Mein Schiff 2 and the Mein Schiff 1.
Windstar Cruises
In December, Windstar Cruises made the decision to postpone all sailings until May. The company also canceled the entire 2021 Alaska season.
Now it is scheduled to resume service on May 1 with the Star Legend.
Azamara
Azamara is currently planning to resume service on May 1. On that day, the Azamara Journey will depart on a six-day Mediterranean cruise from Civitavecchia.
Silversea Cruises
Royal Caribbean’s luxury brand, Silversea Cruises, has canceled all of its cruises until the beginning of May.
Currently, the Silver Cloud will resume on May 5, the Silver Wind on November 20, the Silver Shadow on May 15, the Silver Spirit on May 5, the Silver Muse on May 20, the Silver Whisper on June 20. Silver Explorer on May 28, the Silver Moon on May 4, and the Silver Origin on May 1.
Virgin travel
Virgin’s first cruise is currently scheduled for May 9, with the Scarlet Lady sailing from Miami to the Caribbean with 2,770 guests.
The introduction of the brand’s second ship was also delayed. The Valiant Lady’s Mediterranean season has been delayed to 2022 and will now debut on November 14, sailing to the Caribbean from Miami.