Marine Link
Thursday, December 5, 2024

Saga Cruises Hit by Coronavirus Cancellations

Maritime Activity Reports, Inc.

March 5, 2020

(Photo: Chris Ison / SAGA)

(Photo: Chris Ison / SAGA)

Travel and insurance group Saga said it has seen a higher level of near-term cancellations for its cruises and tours due to the coronavirus epidemic.

Forward passenger tour bookings were down around 20% versus the prior year, with a more significant impact in recent weeks, the UK group that caters for the over-50s said in a statement on Thursday.

It said it had seen a higher level of cruise cancellations for departures in the near-term and more generally a lower level of bookings for departures further out, although its two most recent departures had load factors of around 80%.

"The evolution of Covid-19 and the impact this will have on full year earnings for 2020/21 cannot be predicted with any certainty at the current time," Saga said.

The group's insurance business is expected to remain largely unaffected, it added. Saga said it will provide a full update on April 2, and reiterated that underlying profit before tax is expected to be in line with expectations.


(Reporting by Huw Jones Editing by Rachel Armstrong)

Subscribe for
Maritime Reporter E-News

Maritime Reporter E-News is the maritime industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service, delivered to your Email five times per week