Carnival Decides to Delay Operations in the US and select itineraries through the end of the year.

By: Alana DeRose

Carnival informed their cruisers on instagram about the delayed sailings of their U.S. and European itineraries on January 22nd, 2021.

Two weeks ago on January 6th, 2021 Carnival cruises also made the decision to delay “All embarkations from U.S. homeports up to and including March 31st, 2021.”.

According to the Carnival Cruise website, “We are evaluating the CDC’s new order that sets out the conditions under which cruising can resume, but there are a significant number of requirements that must be evaluated in the context of our plans to resume operations.”

Those requirements of the CDC’s ‘Conditional Sailing Order’ include: evaluating the operating environment public health challenges facing the country and fleet deployment plans, which all led to the delay of the U.S. and European fleets.

“As we continue to evaluate the operating environment and public health challenges facing the country, we also continue to evaluate our fleet deployment plans and scheduling options related to the gradual and phased in approach we will be taking as we return to guest operations in 2021.” Carnival said in their January 6th instagram post.

In the January 6th update, Carnival delayed many of their U.S. ships such as: ‘Carnival Freedom’ ‘Carnival Miracle’ ‘Carnival Liberty’ and ‘Carnival Sunshine’ past the April 30th date, and all of them except ‘Carnival Freedom’ wouldn’t be sailing until the end of the year.

However according to Carnival’s new January 22nd post, “As we continue to evaluate the operating environment and public health challenges, regrettably we have made the decision to cancel the below referenced cruises: All U.S. departures through April 30, 2021 - European itineraries for Carnival Legend which were to begin this May through October 31, 2021.”

Carnival has also “moved the start date for Mardi Gras out of Port Canaveral to May 29, 2021.”

Carnival guests being affected by this delay “are being notified directly of the cancellations”, according to Carnival Cruise Lines and their many options which include: Future cruise credit and onboard credit package or a full refund.

Carnival sends their gratitude for the patience of their fellow cruisers.

“Thank you for your continued understanding and support.”