Disney Cruise Line, Cunard Line cancel sailings well into the fall because of coronavirus

Disney Cruise Line and British luxury cruise line Cunard have joined a myriad of other lines canceling additional future sailings and pushing back their restart dates.

Disney Cruise Line, which extended its sailing suspension through July 27 last month, has added more cancellations to its list, including sailings scheduled as far ahead as October.

Departures from Europe are suspended through Oct. 2, according to a statement on Disney Cruise Line’s website, and departures from Canada are suspended through Sept. 14 while Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy departures remain suspended through July 27.

Passengers on affected sailings will be given the option of a future cruise credit or a full refund and are advised to contact their travel agent or Disney, directly.

Cunard, which is a subsidiary of Carnival Corp., has three ships in its fleet. The cruise line has canceled all sailings due to depart up to and including Nov. 1 for its ships, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. For its third ship, Queen Elizabeth, departures up to and including Nov. 23, will be canceled.

“With many differing restrictions across countries, people’s ability to move freely and safely across borders remains seemingly someway in the distance,” Simon Palethorpe, president of Cunard, said in a statement shared by Carnival Corp. spokesperson Roger Frizzell. “We also need to better understand the implications Covid-19 will have on board our ships.” 

The line will only return to service once Cunard has a “comprehensive restart protocol” with approval and accreditation from authorities. Palethorpe said the line is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health England, trade group Cruise Lines International Association and other health experts to review “every aspect” of the Cunard cruise experience.

All guests booked on Cunard cruises and their travel agents will be contacted if they are on an affected voyage. Those whose cruises are canceled will receive a 125% future cruise credit to be used by the end of 2021.