THURROCK-based Cruise & Maritime Voyages have stopped embarkations in their ships around the world because of coronavirus.

A statement from CMV, whose head office is in Purfleet, said: "Due to the escalating global pandemic outbreak of the Covid-19 coronavirus, updated Government advisories and the impending lockdown of many ports around the world, Cruise & Maritime Voyages have confirmed the temporary suspension of all worldwide cruise operations for embarkations taking place from today until 24 April 2020.

"Cruise & Maritime Voyages are Britain & Australia's leading privately owned independent cruise line and together with their sister brand, TransOcean Kreuzfahrten in Germany, is a business built on solid foundations with a huge and loyal customer base and valued international travel trade support.

"Our top and overriding priority is the health and safety of our passengers and crew. As such, all CMV vessels will be returning to their disembarkation home ports in the UK & Germany with the repatriation of international passengers as required.

"CEO, Christian Verhounig said, "Due to this fast-evolving global pandemic, we are simply unable to continue performing our scheduled itineraries and to deliver the travel experiences expected by our valued passengers.

"We have therefore taken the very difficult decision to temporarily suspend all cruises until 1st May 2020 when we very much hope to able to resume service and to provide the experiences expected. These are indeed challenging circumstances but rest assured, they will be overcome with fortitude and the minimum of disruption".

"All affected passengers will be offered a full refund or an attractive future cruise credit of 125% of the value of their cruise. This credit can be used against the best deal of the day including the current 2021 Buy One Get One Free Offers & 2020 late saver deals.

"For passengers that opt to transfer will also enjoy a special 20% discount against CMV's Onboard Additions beverage packages, plus a 15% shore excursion discount plus a one cabin category upgrade (subject to availability).

"The future cruise credit can be used to purchase any published cruises featured in CMV's 2020 & 2021 cruise programs and must be booked by 31st July 2020."