Update: Carnival Cruise Line has sent an updated letter to crew members regarding some confusion about the letter that was sent last night. While the Canadian government has prohibited cruise operations, Carnival Cruise Line is looking at some options to allow their Alaskan itineraries to operate. Carnival had a mix-up in a communication with the Spirit crew that raised some questions, but as of today, there are no decisions to be made or communicated.
The updated letter can be viewed below:
Original Article: One Carnival cruise ship will now remain out of service until July due to restrictions that Canada has put on cruise ships over the next few months.
Crew members on Carnival Spirit received a letter stating that cruises on the ship would not start up until at least July 1. Canada is not allowing cruise ships over 500 passengers to visit any Canadian ports until July.
Due to these new restrictions and no passenger sailings over the next 3 1/2 months, non-essential crew members would be sent home. They will all receive 30 days pay or be paid until the end of their contract, whichever comes first.
Crew members will disembark in Sydney over the next few days.
View Top Carnival Cruise Line Deals
The letter went on to thank crew members for their hard work and that Carnival is working to get them back on the ship as fast as they can.
Carnival Spirit is currently in Australia and will soon sail a voyage across the Pacific. Once cruises on the ship start back up, the vessel will sail week long cruises to Alaska from Seattle.
Port stops on the week long cruises include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Cruising Tracy Arm Fjord, and Victoria.
