The world’s largest cruise company is on track to have half of its fleet capacity return to service by the end of October, with plans to return 65% of its fleet by the end of the year.
Carnival Corporation (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) announced Thursday that, to date, eight of the company’s nine cruise line brands – Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard – have resumed guest sailings.
By the end of October, those eight brands have announced they will be operating 42 ships, marking the return of over 50% of the company’s fleet capacity as part of global restart efforts. Additional brand updates on the resumption of guest cruise operations will be forthcoming in the coming weeks, including details on ships and itineraries, the company said.
Carnival said its brands are resuming operations using a gradual, phased-in approach, with sailings from major global ports in multiple regions around the world, including the U.S., Mexico, Caribbean, United Kingdom, Western Europe and the Mediterranean, among others. The cruises operate with enhanced protocols developed in conjunction with government and health authorities, and informed by guidance from the company’s public health, epidemiological and policy experts. This includes operating vaccinated cruises with updated testing and masking policies that follow the latest guidance, while creating extraordinary vacation experiences that continue to generate high guest satisfaction scores.
“Based on our initial restart of guest cruise operations across eight brands, it is clear from our guests that there is tremendous confidence in our brands, our health and safety protocols, and the return of cruising as one of the world’s most popular vacations,” said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation.
“As the restart of cruising continues to gain momentum and create positive economic activity for people who depend on our industry to make a living, we look forward to serving our guests with more than half our fleet capacity returning in October, while delivering a great guest experience and serving the best interests of public health. Our highest responsibility and top priority remains compliance, environmental protection, and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, our shipboard and shoreside personnel, and the communities we visit,” Frizzel said.
Carnival Corporation provided the following summary of its brand restart announcements to date, including those contributing to the 50% milestone in October, along with plans for additional ship restarts as part of the company’s overall goal to return nearly 65% of capacity by December 31, 2021.
North America Brands:
Europe & Asia Brands:
Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update
Essential maritime and offshore news, insights, and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox
Carnival Corp cut its annual profit forecast on Friday, as higher fuel costs pressure the cruise operator's margins amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Cruise operators face choppy waters as rising oil prices lift fuel costs, with analysts warning Carnival Corp CCL.N could take the biggest hit to its 2026 profit as it is the only major U.S. cruise line that does not hedge fuel.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has ordered three new cruise ships from Fincantieri—one each for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises—with deliveries scheduled for 2036–2037. The deal secures valuable European shipyard capacity through 2037 and brings NCLH’s total orderbook to 17 vessels, supporting a projected 4% annual capacity growth through the next decade.
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
