Carnival Cruise Line said on Thursday it would not restart operations in Australia as planned, due to market uncertainty.
The US-based line said it had cancelled planned operations by Carnival Splendor from June to September 2022 and Carnival Spirit from June 2022-October 2023 as part of a return to Australia.
The Australian government, which is battling a severe outbreak of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, has not yet provided any route map for the cruise industry to reopen, resulting in multiple rounds of cancellations for the two ships.
In the most recent extended suspension, Carnival Splendor sailings were cancelled through May 31 and Carnival Spirit cruises were halted through till May 29.
Carnival Spirit would instead go to Jacksonville, Florida to boost the already restarted US cruises, the line said.
It would operate the previously scheduled routes of Carnival Ecstasy, which has been sent to Mobile, Alabama.
The newer and larger Carnival Sensation, which had been preparing for a restart from Mobile and began to vaccinate crew members, will remain berthed in Florida.
Carnival said it “continues to implement its successful restart of guest operations in the US and adjusts for the continued uncertainty of cruising” in Australia.
“Our guests have remained passionate and supportive throughout the restart and 2022 gives us plenty of reasons for enthusiasm and excitement as we reach full operations in the US,” Christine Duffy, the president of Carnival Cruise Line, said.
- George Russell
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