Marella Cruises is extending its pause in operations, with cruises now due to restart on 15 November 2020.

The cruise line made the difficult decision to extend the suspension due to the ongoing uncertainty around travel restrictions.

Marella was due to resume operations on 1 October 2020, but has had to delay the restart by a further six weeks.

All customers whose bookings are impacted by the change in dates can choose from a range of compensation options.

These include the option to amend their booking for free with a 10 per cent incentive of the total value of the original booking.

This means passengers will get 110 per cent in cruise credit, which can be used to rebook a cruise and even upgrade.

Currently, Marella is allowing customers to amend any holiday on sale up through to October 2021.

When the cruise line does restart its operations in November, a host of Covid-19 measures will be put in place to protect passengers and crew.

Extra cleaning measures will be implemented and excursion safety guidelines will be checked. Health and safety measures include health screenings and temperature checks of all passengers before boarding, and passenger luggage being disinfected before being taken to cabins.

More hand sanitising stations will be available throughout the ship, and face masks will be required in certain areas. Fewer guests will also be on the ship, and a one-way system will be in place. Cabins and public areas will be regularly and thoroughly deep cleaned.

Marella is also offering quarantine-free cruises, meaning the cruise line will only sail where customers will not need to quarantine upon arrival.

This means the cruise line is only operating in travel destinations without isolating measures in place.

On top of quarantine-free cruises, Marella promising that if there are any significant changes to an itinerary or facilities, which will prevent the cruise from happening, their cruise will not go ahead.