Luxury cruise line Cunard has announced that it will continue to suspend all operations until 2021.
The company, like many other cruise lines, was forced to suspend operations earlier this year amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
The decision to extend suspensions comes amidst ongoing travel restrictions around the world, as well as the FCO advising Brits against all cruise ship travel.
Cunard is extending its pause in operations across its three ships;
- Queen Elizabeth until the 25th March 2021
- Queen Mary 2 until the 18th April 2021
- Queen Victoria until the 16th May 2021
The company says that it is contacting affected guests and travel agents. All guests who have their sailing cancelled will automatically receive 125% Future Cruise Credit, or can fill out the online form for a 100% refund.
Affected passengers can find out more on the Cunard website.
As well as suspending operations, Cunard has announced it will be making some big changes to Queen Elizabeth's 2021 itineraries.
The ship was originally set to sail to destinations including Australia and Japan, but amidst the pandemic the decision has been made to cancel her cruises between March and December 2021.
Instead, she will sail on a new programme predominantly focused on the British Isles as well as European destinations from the Netherlands to Norway, all departing from Southampton.
The new programme is set to be unveiled on the 29th September 2020 when bookings will open.
Other changes include a new Queen Mary 2 World Voyage, taking place in 2022.
The ship's 2020 World Voyage was curtailed earlier this year, and the 2021 sailing cancelled.
The new 104-day itinerary will depart from Southampton in January 2022 and call at destinations such as Greece, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Australia and Bali, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Italy and Portugal.
Cunard president Simon Palethorpe said: "We are so sorry to all those guests who were due to sail on any of the cancelled voyages and for the disappointment this news will cause.
"After very careful consideration and reviewing the latest guidance, we simply do not feel it would be sensible to start sailing again with our current schedule so we have reviewed future itineraries."
