Carnival Corp, Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings — which run 80% of the world cruise market — have pretty much given up on sailing this year.
The New York-listed, Miami-based "Big Three" have extended their fleet lay-ups through 31 December.
Carnival, which has about 90 ships across nine brands, is limiting the delay to North American brands Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Seabourn.
The three owners made this move after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted its US no-sail order on Friday but issued a 40-page guide for a safe return to cruising.
Stipulations within the "Framework for Conditional Sailing", which expires a year from now, include holding simulated voyages with volunteers and installing onboard Covid-19 testing labs.
"We continue to work with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and global government and public health authorities, as well as top medical and science experts around the globe, on a comprehensive plan for the eventual restart of cruising in North America," Carnival chief executive Arnold Donald said in a statement.
With their collective guidance, we have developed and continue to update our enhanced health and safety protocols that are in the best interest of our guests, crew and overall public health."
'A healthy return to service'
Richard Fain-led Royal Caribbean already has many of its 58 ships in lay-up for the rest of the year, excluding sailings from Singapore.
"Our primary goal continues to be a healthy return to service for our guests, crew and the communities we visit," the company said.
Its Celebrity Cruises brand cancelled its full 2020-2021 winter program in Australia and Asia, while Azamara has done the same for itineraries throughout Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America.
Frank Del Rio-led Norwegian is keeping all 28 ships across brands Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises through December.
"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," it said.
Steady on Wall Street
Share prices for "The Big Three", all of which suffered billions of dollars in losses as a result of Covid-19, did not seem to fazed by Monday's announcements to further suspend sailing.
Carnival, which trades on the New York Stock Exchange as CCL, slipped 0.2% to $13.52 by mid-day Tuesday.
Royal Caribbean, which can be found on the same exchange as RCL, gained 4% to $12.17.
Norwegian, which trades on the Nasdaq exchange as NCLH, ticked up 0.3% to $16.23.
Cruise Lines International Association's roughly 50 cruiseships worldwide have also postponed sailings to next year.
"This action will provide additional time to align the industry’s extensive preparation of health protocols with the implementation requirements under the CDC’s Framework for Conditional Sailing and Initial Phase Covid-19 Testing Requirements for Protection of Crew," it said in a statement.
"We will work with urgency to advance a responsible return to cruising while maintaining a focus on effective, science-based measures to protect public health."
