Carnival continues shutdown to May 31

Carnival Cruise Line extended its COVID-19 shutdown through May 31, while the company works to resume operations.

A restart date hasn’t been determined, the company said Wednesday. As it has done throughout the shutdown, Carnival is providing guests on canceled trips the choice of a future cruise credit plus an onboard credit package, or a full refund.

The coronavirus has been a major cash drain for the cruise industry, forcing operators to tap financial markets while their ships are docked and trips are on hold. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. said earlier this week that bookings for future sailings continue to improve, showing pentup demand for vacations.

The industry has essentially been on hold since it paused operations in mid-March, almost a year ago, after a series of dramatic and deadly outbreaks at sea. But the companies themselves don’t have the ultimate say in when they sail again.

The Centers for Disease and Prevention, has created a tentative road map for their return, but no company has won approval to restart.