More cruise ships to Bermuda cancelled
More cruise ship sailings to Bermuda have been cancelled after the Cruise Lines International Association announced the voluntary suspension of United States cruise operations until September 15.
Carnival Corporation reacted by extending the halt on its sailings from the end of August until the end of September.
The change will affect two scheduled voyages to the island by its ship Carnival Pride.
Royal Caribbean has yet to say what it will do following the Clia announcement. But beyond its previously confirmed cancellations to July 31, it has ten sailings to Bermuda that are due to set sail before September 15.
The Clia said its member cruise lines had decided to voluntarily extend the period of suspended passenger operations.
It added: “The current no sail order issued by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention will expire on July 24 and, although we had hoped that cruise activity could resume as soon as possible after that date, it is increasingly clear that more time will be needed to resolve barriers to resumption in the United States.
The association said: “The additional time will also allow us to consult with the CDC on measures that will be appropriate for the eventual resumption of cruise operations.
The trade association added: “This voluntary suspension applies to all Clia members to which the no-sail order applied. Clia member cruise lines will continually evaluate the evolving situation and make a determination as to whether a further extension is necessary.”
Carnival, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line are all members of the Clia.
Norwegian last week extended a halt to most of its sailings until October 1.
The loss of two visits by Carnival Pride in September, means that at least 115 out of the 192 cruises scheduled for Bermuda this year have been axed.
Royal Caribbean still displayed a message on its website yesterday that said it aimed to restart sailings on August 1, but it had added an acknowledgement of the Clia announcement and said it would discuss this change with customers this week.