Carnival UK reportedly looking to cut 450 jobs

The cutbacks would be across P&O Cruises and Cunard employees at Carnival House. That would mean 28% of the workforce.

'To ensure future stability'

'We have begun a period of consultation with our staff in Southampton across all levels of the business. Our priority is to treat everyone with fairness and respect and to have open and honest conversations. These changes, whilst very difficult, are to ensure the future sustainability of our business,' a Carnival UK spokesman said in a statement provided to Seatrade Cruise News.

Impact to every part of the business

'The COVID-19 pandemic has not only affected the holidays of our guests but it has also impacted every part of our business, our future deployment, the guest experience, our supply chain and our people on ship and on shore,' the statement continued. 'During our pause in operations we have tried to create as much certainty and stability as possible for our staff in Southampton and crew on board our ships.

'Unfortunately, though, and like many businesses, as COVID-19 has continued to impact our way of life it is necessary to make changes to our organisation to build a stable platform for the time we phase our ships back into service and for future growth.'

Follows cutbacks at other cruise companies

The Carnival UK news follows furloughs at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and job cuts at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Crystal Cruises, among others.