Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Cruising Through July

Though cruise industry executives insist that there is strong demand among the public for a return to cruising, cruise companies are nevertheless currently unable to fully capitalize on the demand. Under a no-sail order by the Centers for Disease Control until July 24, the major cruise lines have all announced that they will cancel sailings until August. Yesterday, Norwegian was the latest cruise company to make the announcement.

MSN.com reports that on Wednesday, Miami-based Norwegian canceled all cruisings through July. The company’s CEO, Frank Del Rio, indicated earlier this month that the company’s other cruise brands, Regent Seven Seas and Oceania, may not return to sailing until September or perhaps later. 

With the announcement, Norwegian joins Carnival and Royal Caribbean, which also announced cruise cancellations through July. 

Other cruise lines, including Princess Cruises and Holland America, plan to make their return later in the fall.

While the cruise lines are plotting a comeback, tens of thousands of their employees remain stranded at sea. The workers have complained to the media and even staged hunger strikes, but the time frame in which they will be repatriated to their home countries still remains unclear. Many of them have been on the ships for over two months.