Cruise operator Royal Caribbean Group has said that it would stop all its cruises, excluding sailings from Singapore, through the end of the year, extending previous suspensions as coronavirus infections continue to increase globally.
The company’s announcement comes days after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a framework for a phased resumption of cruise ship operations, after a no-sail order issued in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic expired on Saturday.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd earlier said about its plans to extend the suspension of its cruises starting December through the end of the year.
Royal Caribbean reported negative revenue for the first time last week, as well as a billion-dollar quarterly loss.
Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise had previously set up an expert panel to safely resume operations, as the cruise industry came to a virtual standstill after many vessels became hotbeds of infection and some operators even faced lawsuits for onboard outbreaks.
But, Royal Caribbean also announced reopening of the very first cruise with government approval in Singapore. Royal Caribbean’s first cruise ship to resume operations will be the Quantum of the Seas departing from Singapore on December 1st, 2020. The announcement comes after Royal Caribbean halted operations more than 6 months ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keith Tan, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Tourism Board said that Singapore remains committed to growing cruising in the region. Singapore government has also given approval to Dream Cruises which will resume operations in Singapore starting on November 6th, 2020. The 2 and 3 night cruises will feature sailings on the World Dream.
Royal Caribbean is offering passengers on its Singapore cruises extensive COVID-19 coverage, while passengers can also expect new health and safety COVID-19 protocols on all sailing departing from Singapore.
Besides, the first Royal Caribbean cruise in the United States is scheduled for January 1st, 2021 which will features a 3-night Bahamas cruise from Miami.
Following this, Carnival Corporation & plc also announced on Tuesday that its North American cruise line brands will extend their existing pause in operations, suspending cruise voyages between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, 2020.
“Our highest responsibility and top priorities are always compliance, protecting the environment, and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the people in communities we touch, our crew and shoreside employees,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation.
“We continue to work with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and global government and public health authorities, as well as top medical and science experts around the globe, on a comprehensive plan for the eventual restart of cruising in North America. With their collective guidance, we have developed and continue to update our enhanced health and safety protocols that are in the best interest of our guests, crew and overall public health. Whenever we restart our cruise operations in the U.S., we certainly look forward to welcoming our guests on board.”
Individually, each brand has been communicating and will continue to communicate with guests to provide updates and direction regarding affected cruise vacations.
The date for restarting cruise operations will be communicated by each respective brand and available on their websites.
The company and its brands are also notifying crew members, travel professionals and other stakeholders.
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