The coronavirus outbreak will have a “material impact” on Carnival Corporation’s financial results, the global cruise giant has warned.
The update came as another 44 cases of the virus were confirmed on quarantined Diamond Princess to bring the total up to 218.
Japanese health officials plan a voluntary disembarkation of passengers to complete their quarantine period at a “housing facility” on shore.
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Carnival Corpoaration said: “As a result of coronavirus, the company believes the impact on its global bookings and cancelled voyages will have a material impact on its financial results which was not anticipated in the company’s previous 2020 earnings guidance.
“Since the situation continues to evolve, the company is currently unable to determine the full financial impact on its fiscal year 2020.
“However, while not currently planned, if the company had to suspend all of its operations in Asia through the end of April, this would impact its fiscal 2020 financial performance by $0.55 to $0.65 per share, which includes guest compensation.
“In addition, the impact on global bookings will further affect the company’s financial performance.
“The company is currently evaluating contingency plans to mitigate the impact and will provide an update with its first quarter 2020 earnings release in late March.”
The company is “closely monitoring the evolving situation with respect to coronavirus”.
Carnival added: “The safety of guests and employees, compliance and protecting the environment are top priorities for the company.
“The company’s medical experts are coordinating closely with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation to implement enhanced screening, prevention and control measures for its guests, crew and ships.
“The company’s global team is working tirelessly to support guests impacted by voyage disruptions during this unprecedented time.
“Travel restrictions as a result of coronavirus necessitated the suspension of cruise operations from ports in China, as was previously announced, and are now resulting in the cancellation of voyages in other parts of Asia.
“Significant events affecting travel typically have an impact on booking patterns, with the full extent of the impact generally determined by the length of time the event influences travel decisions.”
Holland America Line ship Westerdam was allowed to dock in Cambodia today after Japan, Taiwan, Guam, the Philippines and Thailand had all refused to accept the ship – despite having no sick passengers or crew on board.
The 1,455 passengers will disembark in Sihanoukville over the next few days and transfer via charter flights to Phnom Penh for forward travel home, the line said.
HAL added: “Future Westerdam voyage plans are still being finalised. The February 15 cruise scheduled to embark in Yokohama has been cancelled.
“No cancellations for cruises with departure dates beyond February 15 have been announced at this time.
“However, we are assessing the impact of current port restrictions in Asia on cruises departing February 29 or later.
“We will communicate details as they become finalised in the next few days.”