Carnival Cruise Line threatens to remove its ships from US home ports to sail elsewhere
new guidance published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday detailing the second phase of its Conditional Sailing Order — which the cruise industry had pushed the agency to lift the week prior.
Although there was new information on the benchmarks cruise lines need to hit before carrying paying passengers once more, there was no word on when cruising will be able to restart in U.S. waters.
A year without cruising: No ‘crystal ball’ to tell when sailing could restart amid COVID-19
The cruise industry has been shuttered in U.S. waters since March of last year while other sectors have been allowed to continue to operate or reopen with health and safety modifications including airlines and theme parks.
But more than a year later, there is no “crystal ball” that can tell when sailing might restart, saidKelly Craighead, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association, the leading trade group for the industry.
Norwegian Cruise Line announced its official return to service would begin in July in Europe and the Caribbean. And last month, Royal Caribbean International announced sailings in Israel, Bermuda and the Bahamas and its sibling line, Celebrity Cruises, added itineraries for St. Maarten – all with specific vaccine requirements.
Carnival said it is notifying guests whose cruises have been canceled and are providing options for a future cruise credit with added onboard credits or a full refund.
Plan B: Norwegian Cruise Line will resume sailing in Europe, Caribbean in late summer
