Major cruise lines announced Wednesday that sailing will be suspended through at least October.
The Cruise Lines International Association — whose members include the Carnival, Disney, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean brands — said the decision, its third extension, was made because of “the health and safety of passengers and crew.” The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a no-sail order effective through September for cruise ships carrying more than 250 passengers.
Today's announcement comes as a small cruise ship in Alaska was forced to turn around early from its maiden pandemic-era voyage because a passenger tested positive.
UnCruise Adventures said an onboard passenger on its Wilderness Adventurer received a positive result Tuesday, from a test taken days earlier ashore. The passenger had tested negative on an earlier test, the cruise line said.
“The guest is showing no symptoms and no other guests or crew are showing outward symptoms of any kind. Subsequently, all guests were informed and asked to restrict themselves to their cabins where plated meals were served,” UnCruise Adventures said. Ashore, passengers will be put up in a local hotel for quarantine, and the crew will quarantine on the ship.
The company did not say how many passengers were aboard the ship. Its website said the ship has a capacity of 60 passengers and 25 crew members.
The company said it has “opted to suspend all future 2020 Alaska departures.”