Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Extends Sailing Suspension through June

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings on Tuesday morning announced that all three of its brands, NCL, Oceania, and Regent, would be extending their suspension of voyages through at least June 30. The cruise giant had previously canceled sailings through May.

In a statement, NCLH said that the decision was made “as the Company continues to work through its return to service plan to meet the requirements of the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order issues by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

“The Company will continue to work in tandem with global government and public health authorities and its Healthy Sail Panel expert advisors to take all necessary measures to protect its guests, crew, and the communities visited.”

While the news is frustrating for cruisers, particularly those in the Americas, there have been some positive signs for the industry. Crystal Cruises last week announced that it would restart sailing in the Bahamas on July 3, becoming the first line to sail from the Americas since the COVID-19 pause.  

The United Kingdom also recently gave the go-ahead for domestic cruising to restart as soon as May 17.

The news does mean that guests and travel advisors will have to wait longer to see the new ships from NCLH brands, including Regent’s new Seven Seas Splendor, which was one of five ships the TMR highlighted as reasons the be excited about the industry’s return last week.