Spirit out until Jun 2021

CARNIVAL Cruise Line yesterday advised travel agents of a further extension of its Australian cruising pause, including the cancellation of all Carnival Spirit cruises from Brisbane until late Jun next year.

The company said it had “made the difficult decision to delay the return to service of certain ships until after required dry dock maintenance and upgrades can be completed in the first half of 2021,” and has also cancelled all Carnival Splendor sailings out of Sydney between 19 Dec 2020 and 07 Jan 2021.

Carnival said given the limited international air service currently available, it is likely it may need Carnival Splendor to support crew movements related to refurbishment activities that were suspended due to the pandemic, as well as the wider return to operation plans for the fleet.

“Carnival will resume cruising in Australia when the time is right, and will do so with enhanced health measures developed in conjunction with government authorities, public health experts, and the Cruise Lines International Association,” Carnival said.

The cruise line is protecting travel agent commission on all bookings paid in full, as well as on final fully paid rebookings when a future cruise credit is redeemed on an active sailing.

MEANWHILE an update on the website of sister Carnival Corporation brand, P&O Cruises Australia, now indicates the company’s local pause in operations has also been further extended to 17 Dec, in line with the Australian Government’s biosecurity order.

Previously P&O had flagged a resumption of local cruising after 02 Dec (CW 27 Aug).