INTERNATIONAL. In encouraging news for the cruiseline sector, Carnival Corporation brand Costa Cruises resumed sailings yesterday (6 September), and will be followed by sister company Aida Cruises, which begins services on 1 November.
The brands will begin sailing with six initial ships and limited itineraries, becoming the first two of the company’s nine global cruise line brands to resume operations. The initial cruises will take place with adjusted passenger capacity and enhanced health protocols.
Costa Cruises is restarting sailing with two initial ships departing from Italian ports. Costa Deliziosa is offering weekly cruises from Trieste this month, with visits to Italian destinations. Costa Diadema will follow on 19 September from Genoa, calling at Italian ports in the western Mediterranean. The sailings are reserved for Italian guests initially.
Aida Cruises will resume its cruise operations with two ships, sailing from the Canary Islands in November. These will be followed by an additional two ships departing from the western Mediterranean and UAE beginning in December. The first of the brand’s cruises will feature seven-day itineraries and departures from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, with Aidamar, followed by sailings from Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife with Aidaperla on 7 November.
In December, Aida Cruises will resume sailing operations in the Western Mediterranean with Aidastella departing on seven-day cruises from Palma, Mallorca, beginning on 12 December. Additionally, Aidaprima will offer seven-day cruises from Dubai starting on 11 December and from Abu Dhabi beginning on 15 December.
“Our highest responsibilities and top priorities are always compliance, protecting the environment, and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the communities we visit and our crew,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation.
“We are engaged with a large number of medical experts and scientists around the world, and they are providing us with extremely valuable insight that we are using to develop new and enhanced protocols that are in the best interest of our guests, crew and overall public health. In areas of the world where community spread is largely mitigated and authorities are supportive of a gradual return to service over time, we look forward to again welcoming guests on board.”
