Three cruise lines have revealed they will be extending their cruise pause.

P&O Cruises Australia has announced it will be extending its cruise pause until 18 June 2021 while Carnival Cruise Line said it would be cancelling Carnival Splendor sailings departing from 15 March 2021 and Carnival Spirit sailings through to and including 12 September 2021.

Deluxe line Viking also revealed it would not resume its river and ocean operations through till 31 May 2021.

Viking Cruises is offering a 125% future cruise credit, which can be used on any future sailings with the cruise line.

Carnival Cruise Line said in a statement, “On behalf of all of us at Carnival Cruise Line, we extend our sincere apologies for the disruption to your holiday plans and trust you understand this decision was made with everyone’s best interest at heart.”

P&O, the homegrown Australian line is due to see the arrival of the Pacific Encounter and the Pacific Adventure this year.

“While we are becoming increasingly confident in the restart of cruising in Australia, we are continuing with the realistic and pragmatic approach we have adopted previously,” P&O Cruises Australia President Sture Myrmell said.

“We know from our contact with guests and through our social media channels that they, like us, can’t wait to be cruising again and our crew can’t wait to again be delivering exceptional cruise holiday experiences.

“We once again thank our guests for their patience and understanding and for their unwavering loyalty to Australia’s homegrown cruise line.”

P&O will make contact with guests whose cruises have been affected, either directly or via their appointed travel agent, to let them know of the pause extension and the options available to them.