Carnival UK has further delayed the return of its 2020 cruise season following government advice that cruise holidays are still too risky due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The company – which operates P&O Cruises and Cunard – said that it acknowledged the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) guidance and that it had 'already extended the pause in operations for all sailings'.
Carnival UK senior manager, Employee & Industrial Relations, Nicola Worth, said that cruises with P&O were paused until 15 October 2020, Cunard until 1 November 2020 and the Queen Elizabeth until 23 November 2020.
The company's focus was working 'in partnership with public health agencies at the highest level as well as Department for Transport; EU Healthy Gateways and CLIA, the industry governing body', Ms Worth said.
'We will follow applicable guidelines to further enhance our already stringent measures to keep our guests and crew healthy and well and we will not resume sailings until this framework is in place. This will include rigorous protocols pre-boarding, on ship and in the destinations we visit.
'Confidence in cruising is strong and we are seeing increasing demand from our guests, who we look forward to welcoming back on board when the time is right.'
The FCO updated its cruise ship travel guidance statement on Thursday 9 July 2020, to take account of its easing of travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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