The first Carnival-owned cruise line to resume operations in Europe since the COVID-19 pandemic has once again suspended operations to Greece, bringing the industry to a halt.
Costa Cruises paused operations of its Costa Deliziosa for seven weeks after it reached the Italian city of Trieste on Saturday.
When the ship resumes sailing on December 26, it will stick to an Italian itinerary in the Adriatic Sea and eastern Mediterranean, according to the company.
The change in plans was necessitated by a new nationwide coronavirus lockdown the Greek government announced Thursday.
The three week lockdown only allows residents to leave their homes for essential reasons, such as for work, physical exercise and medical needs, and they must send a text message to authorities first.
“Costa Cruises’ highest responsibility and top priorities are compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of its guests, crew, shoreside employees, and the people and communities its ships visit,” the company said in its announcement.
“That commitment is reflected in the decision to temporarily pause Costa Deliziosa cruise operations in Greece,” the statement added,
