Carnival Plans To Set Sail From 3 Cities In August

MIAMI, FL — Carnival Cruise Line said Monday it plans to resume passenger service Aug. 1 in Miami, Orlando and Galveston, Texas, as part of what the company described as a phased reopening.

"We are taking a measured approach, focusing our return to service on a select number of home ports where we have more significant operations that are easily accessible by car for the majority of our guests," Carnival said in a statement.

All passenger cruise lines voluntarily suspended service March 13 in response to the global coronavirus pandemic.

The cruise line's reopening will initially be limited to eight ships at PortMiami, Port Canaveral and the Port of Galveston.

"In connection with this plan, our pause in operations will be extended in all other North American and Australian markets through Aug. 31," the company said.

The company has canceled North American cruises that previously were scheduled to take place from June 27 to July 31.

Cruises set to resume service Aug. 1 include Carnival Horizon, Carnival Magic and Carnival Sensation out of Miami; Carnival Breeze and Carnival Elation out of Port Canaveral; and Carnival Dream, Carnival Freedom and Carnival Vista out of Galveston.

"All Carnival Spirit Alaskan cruises from Seattle will be canceled, as well as the Carnival Spirit Vancouver-Honolulu cruise on Sept. 25 and the Honolulu-Brisbane transpacific cruise on Oct. 6," the company said. "All Carnival Splendor cruises in Australia from June 19 to Aug. 31 will be canceled."

The company said it was notifying guests and travel advisers of the scheduling changes by email with options for a full refund, combined future cruise credit or onboard credit package.

"Booked guests can make their selection online, alleviating the need to contact Carnival’s customer service center, which is still operating in a work-from-home status due to locally imposed office closures in South Florida," company officials added.