CRUISE holidays could be cancelled for up to six months because of the coronavirus pandemic, Saga Cruises has warned.
The cruise company has already suspended all of their trips until May 1, although this is likely to be extended.
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Saga made the decision to pause all of their sailings mid-March, as other cruise liners also enforced suspensions.
However, holidays may not return to the sea until late summer.
A statement from the cruise operator explained “Given the significant potential impact of Covid-19 on the travel industry, the group has considered scenarios for extended suspension of cruise and tour operations, including full cancellation of all travel departures over six months, followed by a slow recovery.”
Saga expects revenue for the full year to be lower by around 65 per cent for tour operations and cruise, if the cruise business was to be suspended for six months.
Chief executive Euan Sutherland added: “Along with all other travel businesses, our travel business has been significantly impacted.”
“We have acted quickly to ensure the health and wellbeing of our customers and colleagues and, following the government’s advice on cruise ship and air travel, we have suspended our cruise and tour operations.”
The situation is particularly bad for Saga, who cater to the over-50s who are more vulnerable to the virus.
In a worst case scenario, Saga could suspend all holidays until 2021.
Passengers with holidays booked up until May 1 can get credit or a refund.
Passengers who request credit will get an additional 25 per cent while passengers who ask for a refund will be given the full amount they paid for the cruise.
Last month, Boris Johnson warned people over the age of 70 with serious medical conditions should avoid taking cruises to protect them from coronavirus.
The new advice is based on guidance from the Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, and follows a number of cases around the world of cruise ships experiencing outbreaks on board.
A Diamond Princess ship was affected the most, with more than 700 cases confirmed after docking in Japan.
