While some of the world’s largest cruise lines are already back in service following the COVID-19 pandemic, some are planning their return to service for the near future.
Below is a list detailing when each of the major cruise lines are expected to return to sea:
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line has officially cancelled the remaining cruises for the six ships operating from PortMiami and Port Canaveral for November 2020. It has also cancelled five cruises scheduled to operate from Sydney, Australia from January 16 to February 8, 2021. Carnival could resume service from PortMiami and Port Canaveral in early December, depending on status of the current No Sail Order set by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International announced it had extended its suspension of sailing for its global fleet through November 30, 2020. The cruise line will launch a program of short cruises onboard the Quantum of the Seas, which is scheduled to start sailing from Singapore on December 2.
MSC Cruises
In Italy, a second MSC ship resumed service on October 19. The MSC Magnifica joined the MSC Grandiosa, which has been sailing in the Mediterranean since mid-August. In the Caribbean, MSC USA recently announced the cancellation of all of all November sailings.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line announced earlier this month an extension of its “pause of service” through the end of November. The Norwegian Star, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Spirit had additional cancellations, with cruises officially suspended until March 2021.According to Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, it will take at least 60 days to prepare a ship to sail again.
Costa Cruises
Costa has three ships back in service in Europe. The Costa Deliziosa was the first to resume operations on September 6, sailing on an all-Italian itinerary. The Costa Diadema and Costa Smeralda followed, in similar operations. The Italian brand is now planning to start sailing with other two additional vessels by the end of 2020.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises has cancelled cruises through December 15, 2020. Longer itineraries, slated to sail in early 2021 have also been suspended. However, Australia and New Zealand itineraries are cancelled through December 18, 2020. More recently, Princess announced it is transferring the Star Princess earlier to P&O Australia, in addition to the sale of Sea Princess and Sun Princess.
AIDA Cruises
AIDA resumed service on October 17, with the AIDAblu. The vessel is sailing on a seven-day itinerary that visits exclusively Italian ports. AIDA plans to reactivate another four ships, resuming cruises in the Canaries, the Mediterranean and the Emirates.
Celebrity Cruises
Royal Caribbean Group, which includes Celebrity Cruises, recently announced it has extended its suspension of sailing for its global fleet through November 30, 2020. Celebrity has also suspended its full 2020-2021 winter program in Australia and Asia.
Holland America Line
Holland America Line has extended its pause of cruise operations and cancelled departures on all ships through Dec. 15, 2020. The cruise line has sold four of the older and less efficient ships in its fleet.
TUI Cruises
TUI Cruises was one of the first cruise lines to start sailing, on July 23. The German brand currently has three ships in service, including the Mein Schiff 1 in Northern Europe and the Mein Schiff 6 in Greece. TUI is also planning a season in the Canaries, which is slated to start on November 6.
Marella Cruises
Marella Cruises is planning a service resumption on November 16, in the Canaries. Additional ships will start sailing again in late November and early February and March.
Bahamas Paradise
Bahamas Paradise announced its intention to resume service on December 18 with the Grand Classica. The vessel will now sail to Grand Bahama Island, replacing the Grand Celebration, which was previously used on the route.
Azamara
Azamara has announced it will pause all operations until the 2021 Europe season, cancelling cruises in South America, Africa and Australia. The cruise line plans to return to service on March 20 with the Azamara Quest.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin’s inaugural cruise is scheduled for December 2, after all November sailings were cancelled. The 2,770-guest Scarlet Lady is Virgin’s first ship and was originally set to debut in March 2020.
Fred. Olsen
After replacing two of its ships, Fred. Olsen plans to have its entire fleet in service by April 2021.
