When will cruisers be able to set sail again? This fall, if they’re lucky.
Most cruise lines suspended departures in mid-March. While some smaller European lines—river and coastal cruises—have resumed operations, most of the major lines have canceled sailings through at least September, with many beyond.
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Azamara are on hold until mid-September. Norwegian, Regent Seven Seas, and Oceania have halted sailings through early October. Cunard is no-go until November.
Part of the reason for the delay is the “no sail” order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. First enacted in mid-March, the has since been extended through at least July 24, with further extensions a possibility. The Cruise Lines International Association (the cruise industry’s trade group) has voluntarily extended its “no sail” period from U.S. ports until Sept. 15.
In addition, Canada’s cruise ship ban will likely remain in effect until November. Cruise lines also are contending with individual country travel restrictions and port closures around the world.
Here’s a summary of the current state of cancellations and planned resumptions of service by major river, ocean, and expedition cruise brands favored by North Americans.
Adventure Canada canceled all 2020 departures.
AmaWaterways canceled all sailings through August 31.
American Cruise Lines hopes to resume limited departures on some routes in July.
American Queen Steamboat Company plans to resume limited operations on the Mississippi River on July 20 with American Duchess. Sailings on Mississippi River-based American Countess and American Queen are canceled through August 8. Sailings on Pacific Northwest-based American Empress are canceled through July 19.
Avalon Waterways canceled all sailings through August 31.
Azamara canceled all sailings through September 15.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line plans to resume sailings on Grand Celebration on July 25. Sailings on Grand Classica will resume on October 2.
Carnival Cruise Line canceled almost all departures through the end of September. Sailings from New York City and San Francisco are canceled through the rest of the year.
Celebrity Cruises canceled most sailings through September 15. All fall sailings to Canada, New England, and Hawaii are also canceled.
Celestyal Cruises canceled all sailings through July 30.
Costa Cruises canceled all sailings through July 31.
Crystal Cruises canceled Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity sailings through September 1 and October 1, respectively. (All October sailings to Canada on Crystal Serenity have been replaced with trips out of Miami.) Crystal Esprit sailings are canceled through October. All river sailings are canceled through September 6. The line also delayed the debut of its new expedition ship, Crystal Endeavor, until 2021.
Cunard Line canceled departures of Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria through November 1. Sailings of Queen Elizabeth are canceled through November 23.
Disney Cruise Line canceled all sailings through mid-September. Disney Wonder and Disney Dream are scheduled to resume sailings on September 18. Disney Fantasy is scheduled to restart trips on September 19, with Disney Magic resuming operations on October 12.
Emerald Waterways canceled all sailings through August 31.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises canceled all sailings through July 1.
Holland America canceled all Europe, Alaska, Canada, and New England sailings for the rest of the year. The line also canceled a 79-day Grand Africa voyage out of Boston scheduled to depart October 3. All sailings out of Vancouver in September and October are canceled, along with some Hawaii cruises as far out as February, 2021.
MSC Cruises canceled all Caribbean sailings through September 15, with sailings in other parts of the world canceled through the end of July. Also canceled are MSC Meraviglia sailings out of New York scheduled for departure between September 5 and October 22. Changes were also made to North American itineraries and vessels. MSC Seaside will be redeployed to a new home port in Port Canaveral, Florida, from November, 2020 through March, 2021. It will be succeeded by MSC Divina from March, 2021 through November, 2021. MSC Meraviglia and MSC Armonia will be redeployed to Miami from November, 2020 through November, 2021.
Norwegian Cruise Line halted nearly all sailings through September, with some canceled through early October. Voyages on Norwegian Sun are canceled through October 18. All September through February Australian cruises (Norwegian Jewel) are canceled.
Oceania Cruises halted all sailings through September 30, with one canceled through early October.
Paul Gauguin Cruises plans to resume sailings in French Polynesia on July 11.
Ponant plans to resume some sailings in France on new itineraries in July.
Pullmantur filed for reorganization under Spanish insolvency laws. All sailings are canceled through November 15, and affected customers are being offered cabins on ships operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises brands. (Royal Caribbean Cruises owns a 49% stake in Pullmantur.)
Princess Cruises canceled all Europe, Alaska, Canada, and New England sailings for the rest of 2020. Caribbean sailings are halted through November 4. Japan cruises on Diamond Princess are canceled into the fall. Australia cruises on Sapphire Princess, Majestic Princess, Sun Princess, and Sea Princess are suspended through mid-September. September and October seven-night round-trip West Coast cruises on Star Princess out of San Francisco are canceled.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises canceled all sailings through September 30.
Royal Caribbean canceled Caribbean departures through September 15. All Canada and Bermuda sailings are canceled through the end of October. Voyager of the Seas sailings are canceled through September 30.
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours canceled all sailings through August 31. Scenic Eclipse sailings are canceled through September 30.
Seabourn halted all sailings into October.
Sea Cloud Cruises canceled sailings through August 1.
SeaDream Yacht Club canceled Mediterranean voyages through the end of August and redeployed its ships to Norway for coastal sailings aimed at locals.
Silversea canceled most departures into the fall, with operations scheduled to resume in September or October. The launch of two new ships was delayed: Silver Origin, the line’s new ship for the Galapagos, won’t begin operating until August 22, and Silver Moon is scheduled to debut on October 2.
Star Clippers canceled sailings on Royal Clipper and Star Flyer through August 1. Star Clipper is scheduled to resume sailing on September 12.
Tauck canceled all sailings through August 31.
UnCruise Adventures canceled Alaska departures through July.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection canceled sailings through July 15.
Variety Cruises canceled all sailings through July 24.
Victory Cruise Lines canceled all sailings for the rest of the year.
Viking canceled all sailings through August.
Virgin Voyages postponed the debut of its first ship until October 16.
Windstar Cruises canceled all sailings through early September. The line’s three sailing ships—Wind Spirit, Wind Surf and Wind Star—will resume operations in September, November, and January, respectively. Its three motor ships—Star Breeze, Star Legend, and Star Pride—will restart operations in October, March (2021), and July (2021), respectively.
Twist’s Take: Don’t expect to come aboard a cruise ship for another few months.
