Two Carnival Corp brands and a smaller line have again extended their fleet suspensions as the Covid-19 shutdowns ease slowly worldwide.
AIDA Cruises and Costa announced on Wednesday that neither brand would sail before 31 July, while Greek line Celestyal Cruises will not sail until 30 July.
In a statement, AIDA said many of its destinations are adjusting their regulations around international tourism but have not yet set specific conditions for cruise sailings.
"In order to give guests the necessary planning security for their vacation, AIDA unfortunately has to extend the temporary break of the AIDA travel season until the end of July 2020," the German company said in a statement.
Celestyal, which sails the eastern Mediterranean, called the decision "difficult" and said it was working with Greek authorities as international flights to the country resume in the coming weeks.
"We are confident [our customers] understand that we take into consideration all aspects that will ensure the well-being of our guests and crew," it said.
The Covid-19 outbreak — which has infected more than 5.7 million people worldwide — has hit much of the shipping industry hard, but cruise lines especially.
In January, passengers and crew aboard the Carnival-connected, 115,900-gt Diamond Princess (built 2004) were held in Yokohama, as coronavirus infected more than 700 and killed a dozen aboard.
Another 600 passengers were tested positive for Covid-19 and at least 15 died after their disembarkation from the 113,600-gt Ruby Princess (built 2008) in Sydney in March.
Both the Diamond Princess and Ruby Princess sail under Carnival's Princess Cruises brand, which was sued by a litany of passengers over potential exposure aboard a third ship, the 107,500-gt Grand Princess (built 1998).
Cruise lines eventually suspended operations, but the ships were barred from calling on many ports, trapping thousands of crew members aboard.
The isolation has reportedly led to suicides, with at least three crew members jumping overboard in recent weeks.
Moreover, the fleet suspensions have put financial stress on the industry's major players, forcing Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line to borrow to shore up their balance sheets as their shares lose considerable values.
The companies have clawed some of their equity values back in recent weeks, with Carnival's share price rising from $13.93 in early May to $17.11 at lunchtime in New York on Wednesday.
Royal Caribbean saw similar gains, jumping from $38.38 to $52.30 this month and Norwegian Cruise Line jumping from $11.56 to $16.78.
