Cruise lines extend sailing suspensions
Decision of world’s biggest cruise lines hits Caribbean tourism
Several cruise ships will remain docked in their ports for a maximum of three months more, the earlier of which is until May.
The Royal Caribbean Cruises initially announced their original suspension on March 13, expecting to return to service on April 11.
However, due to “global public health circumstances,” the company decided to return operations for most of the their ships on May 12, 2020.
“We know this is disappointing,” the statement of the Royal Caribbean on Twitter said. “However, it’s a decision made with the best interest of our guests, crew, and staff at heart.”
Trips for ships sailing to Canada and Singapore will take more time to operate again. Canada decided to close its ports until July, while Singapore ports remain closed until the end of May.
Important Update: We have extended the suspension of sailings of our global fleet through May 11, 2020, with some exceptions. (1/4)
— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) March 24, 2020
🔗 https://t.co/n8sSjxlwzV pic.twitter.com/rJHIgqfDS2
The world’s second largest cruise fleet from Miami, Florida also assured its patrons a “125% Future Cruise Credit to come back and sail by December 31st, 2021.” The rest of the details can be read in their website.
The Royal Caribbean fully owns three famous cruise lines: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Club Cruises — all of which have in-demand operations in the Caribbean region.
Other cruise lines follow suit
Italian cruise line Costa Cruises has also extended their suspension on operations, but only until April 30.
The cruise line said in a statement that the containment measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic have temporarily paralyzed their operation.
Costa Cruises further said that the cruises that set sail before the outbreak was declared a pandemic are ending their current itinerary “only to allow guests to disembark and return home.”
Carnival Cruise Line is also considering an extension on the sailing suspension.
Decision dents Caribbean tourism
The Caribbean region is cruise-heavy and visitor-dependent. At present, cruise passenger traffic on some islands is down by the tens of thousands.
Hotels in the region have also temporarily closed, according to reports.
“Real GDP growth for the Caribbean was supposed to be 3.7 percent this year, but I think you need to kiss those growth projections goodbye,” said Scott MacDonald, chief economist for the Caribbean at Smith’s Research and Gradings, in an interview with the Washington Post.
“Maybe 2 percent, maybe lower,” he said. “It’s hard to quantify this yet. If you get hermetically sealed countries, then that’s going to be a really big blow for the Caribbean.”