Carnival Cruise Line has said it hopes to resume sailings on its entire fleet by the end of the year, which would mean its parent company would be operating at nearly 75% of its total capacity by the turn of the year.
The eight other Carnival Corporation brands are set to resume 65% of total fleet capacity by the end of 2021.
Guest operations are scheduled on 54 ships across the AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Seabourn brands.
Nearly half of the capacity is represented by ships homeported in the US.
Carnival Cruise Line’s intent to return to full fleet service in 2021 would add another nine vessels, totalling 63 ships, to resume guest operations this year.
Further restart announcements from the world’s biggest cruise company are expected in the coming weeks.
The brands are continuing to resume operations around the world using a phased-in approach, including sailings in the US, Caribbean, Europe, Central America and Antarctica.
Cruises include enhanced health protocols developed in conjunction with government and health authorities, and informed by guidance from the company’s public health, epidemiological and policy experts.
AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises have been sailing in Europe since March and May respectively. P&O Cruises resumed domestic UK sailings in June, and Carnival Cruise Line and Seabourn both resumed in July from the US.
Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation, said: “With strong ongoing demand for cruising, we look forward to serving our guests with additional ships announced across eight of our brands and nearly three-quarters of our fleet capacity returning by the end of this year, marking an important milestone for our company and all those who rely on the strong economic impacts generated by the global cruise industry.”
Frizzell added: “For our entire company, our highest responsibility and top priority is always compliance, environmental protection, and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, our shipboard and shoreside employees, and the communities we visit. Our ongoing restart effort closely reflects those priorities, as we continue to work together across the industry and with partners around the world to resume cruising in the best interest of public health.”