Costa Cruises Extends Fleet Suspensions Through June 30

(Updated 5:33 a.m. EDT) -- Editor's Note: As of April 9, all cruise ships over 250 passengers and crew that operate in U.S. waters have been put under a no-sail order by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The order will remain in place until COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency, and supersedes individual cruise line dates for a return to service. For more information, visit our news story.

In light of the continued spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus throughout the world, Costa Cruises has announced it is extending its fleet suspension for a third time, through June 30, 2020.

The move follows Costa's announcement of the suspension of all operations in China on January 25, followed by the line's global fleet suspension on March 23, which was extended again on April 22 through end of May 2020.

In a statement, the line said: "Due to the continuation of the emergency situation linked to the global pandemic of Covid-19 and with the continuation of containment measures such as closing ports and restrictions on the movement of people which do not actually allow to operate, the Company extends the suspension to the whole month of June.

"Costa Crociere is taking steps to inform both travel agents and guests affected by the changes. They will be guaranteed a reprotection in accordance with the applicable legislation, which offers the greatest guarantee in this contingency situation."

Costa is informing travel agents and affected customers, who will receive a voucher for a future cruise credit of 150 percent of the fare paid.

"As an industry leader, we feel it is our responsibility to be ready to make hard choices when times require it" said Neil Palomba, president of Costa Cruises. "In Costa, we always have the health and safety of our guests and crew members at heart. Now that these unprecedented circumstances require unprecedented actions to make sure that people across the world stay healthy, we are ready to play our role".