Royal Caribbean suspends sailings through Sept. 15

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. won’t resume most cruises until at least Sept. 15, the company said in a news release Tuesday. The announcement follows similar decisions from Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line, the other cruise companies departing from Port Tampa Bay.

Headquartered in Miami, Royal Caribbean Cruises originally paused travels in March and then lengthened the suspension three more times. The decision is meant to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Cruises from China are on hold through the end of July and sailings to Bermuda will be suspended through Oct. 31, the company said.

Carnival Cruise Line will not sail until at least Oct. 1 and all Norwegian cruises, except Seattle-based Alaska voyages, will be suspended through September.

Customers whose cruise was canceled are eligible for a refund or 125 percent future cruise credit, which can be used to pay for future travel. Those who canceled their reservations beforehand are only eligible for the future cruise credit, a Royal Caribbean spokesman said.

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