(Alliance News) - Carnival PLC on Friday said its Italian tour operator Costa Crociere has decided to postpone the restart of its ships to March 13.
The company believes that the current set of restrictive measures does not allow its guests to enjoy an adequate on-shore experience and the ability to fully explore the itinerary's destinations.
All cruises originally scheduled on Costa Deliziosa, Costa Firenze and Costa Luminosa between February 1 and March 12 are cancelled.
Carnival said Costa will resume operations on March 13 with Costa Smeralda, which will sail guests to some of Italy's most beautiful destinations with 3- and 4-day mini-cruises, or a 7-day cruise, calling at Savona, La Spezia, Civitavecchia, Naples, Messina and Cagliari.
In a separate statement, Carnival said its Cruise Line is notifying guests of additional cruise cancellations, extending its pause in US departures through April 30, and cancelling Australian operations through May 19.
In addition, Carnival has cancelled the European itineraries for Carnival Legend which were to begin this May through October 31, and moved the start date for Mardi Gras from Port Canaveral, with the first cruise now set for May 29.
"Our guests and travel agent partners continue to express their loyalty to Carnival and their desire to get back on our ships as soon as they can, and we are heartened by the booking demand and activity we continue to see. We are certainly committed to welcoming them back as quickly as possible, but unfortunately we have determined it's going to take a while longer, and the situation in Europe will also impact Mardi Gras' departure to the US, and Carnival Legend's itineraries in Europe," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Carnival shares were trading 0.9% lower in London on Friday at 1,271.00 pence each.
By Evelina Grecenko; evelinagrecenko@alliancenews.com
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Carnival (CCL)