CCL-Carnival Cruise Line informed passengers and travel agents that it had cancelled select itineraries in 2021, as the company implemented its plans for the resumption of sailings next year, including operations in February from Galveston Texas, Miami and Port Canaveral, and rescheduled the inaugural cruise of Carnival Mardi Gras from February 6 to April 24, 2021.
Carnival Mardi Gras is due to operate from Port Canaveral and remains the most anticipated newbuild to operate from North America in 2021. The vessel will be the first LNG-powered passenger ship in the Americas and also feature the first roller coaster at sea (named BOLT).
CCL will take the vessel's delivery from Meyer Turku Shipyard (in Turku Finland) later in December. The ship will eventually sail to the USA and meet the requirements of the CDC agency (USA's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
CCL is also cancelling the remaining departures scheduled from Galveston, Miami and Port Canaveral through February 28.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said:
“We apologize to our guests but we must continue to take a thoughtful, deliberate and measured approach as we map out our return to operations in 2021.
“Our commitment to the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we visit is at the forefront of our decisions and operations.”