CARNIVAL Cruise Line and P&O Cruises have announced the extension of their voluntary suspension in Australian and New Zealand until 15 May in response to the escalating COVID-19 crisis (CW breaking news), following a similar extension revealed by Royal Caribbean Cruises yesterday (CW 25 Mar). Both brands announced earlier this...
CARNIVAL Cruise Line and P&O Cruises have announced the extension of their voluntary suspension in Australian and New Zealand until 15 May in response to the escalating COVID-19 crisis (CW breaking news), following a similar extension revealed by Royal Caribbean Cruises yesterday (CW 25 Mar).
Both brands announced earlier this month that operations would be suspended until 11 Apr, with this second round of cancellations adding 30 days to their originally announced hiatus.
“The impact of COVID-19 is affecting business and personal routines around the world, we understand it is not ideal to have your cruise holiday postponed; however, we all have a role to play in stopping the spread of this virus during this unprecedented time,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy.
“We will get through these tough times together and look forward to welcoming our guests back on board again soon, when the time is right.”
The cruise line added that it was currently making contact with guests and travel agents who are impacted by the extended suspension period and is offering flexible rebooking options.
Meanwhile fellow Carnival Corporation brand P&O Cruises said it was attempting to make the extended suspension period “as simple as possible” for affected clients in a complex domestic climate which has seen individual states deploy varying approaches to the cruise sector.
“We’re living in a period of rapid change with governments having to make decisions each day that are dramatically changing the way businesses and broader communities are going about their everyday lives,” said local President Sture Myrmell.
The changes will cut scheduled cruises aboard Pacific Dawn Pacific Explorer, as well as 11 planned voyages on Pacific Aria in New Zealand.
State of Origin and Taste of Tasmania cruises will also be cancelled, the line confirmed.
P&O also added that it will be protecting travel agent commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full and for the total amount of the future cruise credits.
