MIAMI, FL-Normally, the Port of Miami is a bustling hub of cruise ships coming in and out of port from destinations around the Caribbean Sea, but today, during the coronavirus shutdown, the port of Miami is reminiscent to pre-World War II’s battleship row in Pearl Harbor. The cruise industry has been a focal point in the coronavirus outbreak as ships were forced into quarantine last week.
MSC Cruises has announced it has canceled all cruises departing from Miami from March 14 through April 30th.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has announced a global shutdown of its entire fleet.
“Given global public health circumstances, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has decided to suspend the sailings of our fleet globally at midnight tonight,” the company said on Saturday. “We will conclude all current sailings as scheduled and assist our guests with their safe return home. As with our announcement yesterday regarding U.S. sailings, we expect to return to service on April 11, 2020”
You can track the location of cruise ships here.
“We know, this too shall pass, and we are optimistic that very soon you’ll be excited about planning your next cruise vacation,” the company said. “As always, the most important thing to us will always be the safety of our guests and crew. In the meantime, we’ll continue to monitor the global situation. We wish you good health and truly appreciate your continued loyalty.”
Carnival Cruise Lines, which owns approximately 40 percent of the entire world cruise fleet said it will shut down operations on its Carnival and Princess fleets until April 10th.
“Given the current health environment, I’d like to share an important update about Norwegian Cruise Line’s response to COVID-19,” said Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Harry Sommer With the virus impacting communities around the globe, we have decided after collaboration with federal officials to voluntarily suspend cruise voyages across our fleet, effective immediately. This action is in effect for voyages with embarkation dates from March 13 to April 11, 2020. We will plan to recommence and operate with embarkations beginning April 12, 2020.”
As far as ships already at sea, they are all heading home, Sommer said.
Check out the view today at the Port of Miami.
“Voyages that are underway will conclude and guests will be disembarked as soon as possible and assisted with travel arrangements. Other impacted guests and travel partners will be contacted with specific details shortly,” he added. “However, in the meantime, please note that we will provide guests with future cruise credit and refund options.”
Docked in port today are the MSC Meraviglia, MSC Armonia, Carnival Horizon, Scarlet Lady, Norwegian Encore and Freedom of the Seas.