Tag Archives: Carnival Corp.

P&O Cruises sets new return date

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P&O Cruises sets new return date

P&O Cruises will extend its operations pause until Oct. 15, the Carnival Corp. brand said Tuesday.

“As a business, our operational focus is not when can we resume sailing but is instead of how can we develop a comprehensive restart protocol that will keep everyone onboard — our crew and guests — safe and well and still give our guests an amazing holiday,” said P&O president Paul Ludlow in a release.

The British cruise line said it is focusing on working in close coordination with relevant public health organizations to approve the enhancement of its health and safety protocols.

“Our aspiration is to be adopting best practice in managing COVID-19 within the travel industry,” Ludlow said, adding that the line already has in place many of the protocols now being adopted for social gathering venues such as hand-sanitizing stations and rigorous cleaning and disinfecting procedures.

P&O’s Iona, a 5,200-passenger ship powered by liquefied natural gas, was supposed to enter service in May. German shipbuilder Meyer Werft has not set a new delivery date.

Carnival Corp ‘still excited’ about Iona despite launch delay

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Carnival Corp ‘still excited’ about Iona despite launch delay

Carnival Corporation is “still excited” about new P&O Cruises ship Iona, despite its launch being delayed by the coronavirus crisis. The cruise giant also confirmed it was engaged in conversations with shipyards about potential delays and cancellations.

Chief executive Arnold Donald said: “This virus has been devastating for the travel and tourism industry. Most of the newbuild timelines will be delayed. Most of the yards are closed or don’t have workers.

“Beyond that, we are working with the yards to look at schedules and decide should any of the ships be cancelled or pushed out further.”

Commenting on Iona, which was due to enter service in May but has been delayed due to the lockdown, Donald said: “We need to make sure the ship gets finished. But we are still excited about her and the level of bookings that she had.

“Iona will be finished and at some point, when the world is ready, she will be sailing. We don’t know exactly when, but over time we will have a great cruise industry again. We are going to have to build it back.”

Carnival Prepared for ‘Worst Case’ Scenario

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Carnival Corporation ships from P&O, AIDA and Princess
Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation, addressed the media on a conference call on Thursday afternoon.

Highlights:

Donald said recent fundraising efforts from Carnival Corporation has prepared the company for a “worst-case scenario,” meaning capital to operate for some time without revenue. He noted the company was still seeking additional liquidity options in the form of stimulus packages from other governments.

Donald said he was hopeful that existing debt could be extended as well.

He noted the company is doing everything it can to take care of its crew and manage ships during the disruption.

“We want to make sure we are in a position to succeed once cruising resumes,” he commented.

As for as previously proposed industry regulations that said guests over 70 needed a medical waiver to board ships, Donald said he did not know what the future would hold in terms of new rules and regulations.

Donald said there was still demand and the company was seeing bookings for this summer as well as for the rest of 2020 and 2021.

“The (start-up) will probably be certain locations, certain destinations, certain times … it’s unlikely you’ll be sailing a full fleet right away or anything like that.”

In terms of Carnival’s upcoming 18 new ships and orderbook extending to 2025, Donald said most of the newbuilds could be delayed with shipyards currently closed.

Donald said the company was in dialogue with its shipyard partners on timelines, delays and event potential cancellations.