Carnival Cruise Line has again delayed the inaugural journey of its new vessel Mardi Gras, the first North American LNG-powered cruise ship.
The US firm delayed the maiden voyage of the 340 meters long ship for several times, mostly due to construction delays hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Initially scheduled for first voyage in August of this year, Carnival’s latest plan entailed that the ship would debut on February 6, 2021.
However, now the cruise line looks for the inaugural sailing of Mardi Gras on April 24, 2021. The vessel will work from the US Port Canaveral in Florida, operating week-long itineraries.
The ship will have the capacity to host up to 6,500 passengers in more than 2,600 staterooms, including 180 suites across 11 different categories.
Additionally, Carnival will take delivery of the ship from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland later this month.
Following delivery, the vessel will eventually sail to the US and meet the requirements of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
All 2020 voyages cancelled
The firm is also cancelling the remaining itineraries scheduled to operate from Miami, Port Canaveral and Galveston through February 28.
“We apologize to our guests but we must continue to take a thoughtful, deliberate and measured approach as we map out our return to operations in 2021,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
“Our commitment to the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we visit is at the forefront of our decisions and operations,” Duffy said.