Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, MSC Cruises cancel more sailings
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
It looks like a significant restart to cruising in November is off the table.
Citing the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, three of the world’s biggest cruise lines — Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and MSC Cruises — late Tuesday canceled all or most of their sailings worldwide through the end of November.
The cancellations came just a day after another big cruise operator, Norwegian Cruise Line, canceled all sailings through the end of November. Several other major brands including Princess Cruises, Holland America and Carnival Cruise Line also have canceled all or most November sailings and even some December sailings.
For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s new cruise newsletter.
Until Tuesday, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and MSC Cruises only had canceled a significant portion of their sailings through the end of October, giving cruise fans hope that November could be the month that cruising finally starts to resume in earnest.
A few lines such as MSC Cruises have restarted limited sailings in Europe and a few other places in recent months, but most cruising has been on hold since health authorities declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America and Carnival haven’t operated a single departure over the past seven months.
The result of the new cancellations on Tuesday is that there now are no major cruise brands catering to North Americans that haven’t canceled all or most of their sailings through the end of November.
Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles
The new cancellations came just hours after the top executive of Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, said he was highly optimistic that cruising in North America would resume by the end of the year. The comments suggest the company is now targeting a December restart to some cruising out of U.S. ports.
In making its cancellation announcement late Tuesday, Royal Caribbean said it was canceling all November sailings except for departures out of Hong Kong.
Celebrity canceled all November departures worldwide. It also canceled all sailings in Australia and Asia scheduled for the coming winter season.
A third brand owned by Royal Caribbean Group, Azamara, late Tuesday said it was canceling all sailings through at least mid-March. The line now plans to resume service starting on March 20, 2021, with a single ship, Azamara Quest. The line’s two other vessels, Azamara Journey and Azamara Pursuit, won’t resume sailings until April 9 and May 9, respectively, the line said.
Related: One cruise line considers doing away with the buffet forever
MSC Cruises canceled most sailings through the end of November, except for voyages on two vessels that have resumed operations in the Mediterranean.
Also canceling more sailings on Tuesday was Seabourn, a small luxury line. The five-ship brand canceled all remaining departures in 2020 as well as a significant number of voyages in the first half of 2021. All but one of the line’s ships now aren’t scheduled to restart sailing until April or May.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
- What to pack for your first cruise
Featured image courtesy of Royal Caribbean
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
WELCOME OFFER: 80,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,600
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide, eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on orders over $12 for a minimum of one year on qualifying food purchases with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Earn 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2022. That’s 3X points in addition to the 2X points you already earn on travel.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.