COVID-19 delays cruise ship travel, spring break plans

Don't Waste Your Money consumer reporter John Matarese looks at when it might be safe to travel again.

Posted 2:16 p.m. Sep 28, 2020 — Updated 2:25 p.m. Sep 28, 2020

John Matarese

, Don't Waste Your Money consumer reporter

During the COVID-19 shutdown in March, many people thought many aspects of everyday life would be back to normal by 2021.

Recent actions by Carnival Cruise Line show us differently. The cruise line originally pushed back its return to cruising from U.S. ports from September to November, but now the company says many ships won't sail again until next spring.

Simplemost reports other cruise companies are facing cancellations as well. A no-sail order has been in place in the U.S. since March 14 and was extended in July to Sept. 30.

European travel guru and writer Rick Steves has also put travel on hold, saying he doesn't want to have to quarantine when he visits a new country. Canada and most European countries are still not welcoming Americans, and it's unclear when they will again.

Closer to home, some colleges are already canceling spring break, asking students to stay on campus to reduce virus spread.

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Travel agents said, despite the travel limbo, beach houses are booking up as families look for safe vacations.

The bottom line? Until a vaccine is in widespread use and air and cruise ship travel feels safe again, most travelers will likely stick to road trips.

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