Major cruise lines are planning multi-phase reboots in 2021, aiming for a gradual, healthy and safe return to service regionally.
Here are the latest:
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line recently extended its break from US operations until April and expects to sail again in May.
In January, the brand also announced a major rollout and schedule changes for some ships, including the Carnival Miracle, which had cruises canceled until September.
Meanwhile, three other ships were delayed until November due to dry dock plans.
As previously announced, the new Mardi Gras also had its first departures postponed to May 29.
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean resumed operations in December, with a short-term cruise program dedicated to the local market in Singapore at Quantum of the Seas. The operation was recently extended until June.
Globally, cruises are suspended until May 1. Additional cancellations came from the sale of Empress of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas, which left the fleet in December.
MSC Cruises
Following a decision by the Italian government, MSC was forced to stop its operation in the Mediterranean in December, but has already resumed service. Previously sailing in the region since August 16, MSC Grandiosa returned to sailing with guests on January 24 for a tour with visits to Italy and Malta.
Meanwhile, the temporary pause for U.S.-based travel has been extended even further, with the company canceling trips until April.
Norwegian Cruise Line
This month, Norwegian Cruise Line announced another extension of its service break, now affecting all cruises scheduled through May 31.
The company also said it continues to work on a return to service plan to meet the requirements of the Conditional Sail Order Framework issued by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
After receiving the team back for a possible restart, Norwegian recently decided to repatriate the entire non-essential crew.
Costa Cruises
After reactivating a total of three ships since September, Costa was forced to stop all operations again in December.
The company initially planned to welcome guests back in early January, but the date was later postponed. Now Costa hopes to resume service on March 27.
On that date, the Costa Smeralda, with 5,200 passengers, is scheduled to start a fully Italian program with trips of three, four and seven nights.
Starting in May, Costa Luminosa should start sailing to Italy and Croatia, while Smeralda should add stopovers in France and Spain to its itineraries.
Disney Cruise Line
After bringing its ships back to the US in November, Disney Cruise Line canceled all trips departing by April 2021. In line with other US carriers, the company is planning a restart in May.
Some tours at Disney Wonder and Disney Magic, however, are also canceled.
Princess Cruises
In January, Princess Cruises extended its operational break to include trips until May 14. Later that month, the company canceled all Pacific Princess programming, which was sold to Azamara.
In addition, cruises over seven nights in the United States had already been canceled until November 1.
Other transactions that resulted in additional cancellations were the early transfer of ships to P&O Australia and the sale of the Sun Princess and Sea Princess.
Genting Cruise Lines
Dream Cruises recently extended its short cruise program in Singapore until June 27. On board the World Dream, the trips are aimed at the local public and have been in operation since November.
Explorer Dream, meanwhile, has been sailing island itineraries in Taiwan since July.
AIDA Cruises
After briefly resuming service on October 17, AIDA restarted the cruise on December 5, when AIDAperla embarked on seven-night cruises in the Canaries. The vessel was soon followed by AIDAmar, which started sailing in the Canaries later that month.
Cruises, however, had to be suspended again shortly thereafter, due to IT problems.
Now, a new blockade in Germany has forced the brand to cancel all operations by March 19.
Celebrity Cruises
In line with other Royal Caribbean Group brands, Celebrity Cruises extended the suspension of navigation to its global fleet in January. Allsailings until April 30 are canceled.
In addition, the company canceled all European and transatlantic cruises on Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Constellation.
Holland America Line
Holland America Line extended its break from cruise operations and canceled departures on all ships until April 30.
Mediterranean cruises are canceled until early June, while Alaska and Canada / New England are in doubt after banning cruise ships in Canada.
In addition, the cruise line previously canceled cruises of eight or more nights calling at a U.S. port until November 1.
TUI Cruises
With a program in Northern Europe, TUI Cruises was one of the first cruise lines to start sailing on July 23.
Currently, the German brand operates in the Canaries, both with Mein Schiff 2 and Mein Schiff 1.
Windstar Cruises
In December, Windstar Cruises made the decision to postpone all of its trips until May. The company also canceled the entire 2021 season in Alaska.
It is now scheduled to resume service on May 1 with Star Legend.
Azamara
Azamara is planning to resume service on May 1. On that day, Azamara Journey is scheduled for a six-night Mediterranean cruise from Civitavecchia.
Silversea Cruises
Royal Caribbean’s luxury brand, Silversea Cruises, canceled all of its cruises by the beginning of May.
Currently, Silver Cloud is due to resume service on May 5, Silver Wind on November 20, Silver Shadow on May 15, Silver Spirit on May 5, Silver Muse on May 20, Silver Whisper on June 20, Silver Explorer on May 28, Silver Moon on May 4 and Silver Origin on May 1.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin’s inaugural cruise is scheduled for May 9, with 2,770 Scarlet Lady guests sailing from Miami to the Caribbean.
The brand’s second ship also had its launch postponed. The Valiant Lady had its Mediterranean season postponed to 2022 and is now scheduled to open on November 14 sailing to the Caribbean from Miami.