Carnival CEO on the cruise industry in the age of pandemics

Arnold Donald, Carnival CEO, joins "Closing Bell" to discuss the impact of the coronavirus on his business.

Even as the coronavirus pandemic brings the cruise industry to a global standstill, customers are already booking for 2021, Carnival CEO Arnold Donald told CNBC on Tuesday.

The coronavirus pandemic has roiled the travel industry across the globe, but perhaps no sector has been hit like the cruise industry. Passengers have fallen ill and died as cruise ships became outbreak sites. In response, ports have denied vessels entry, travelers have canceled trips and most cruise companies in the world have suspended operations.

Carnival Corp., the largest cruise company in the world, has been at the center of several high-profile onboard outbreaks. Its Diamond Princess was quarantined at a Japanese port in one of the first major outbreaks outside of China, where the virus emerged in December.

Donald said the cruise industry will bounce back along with the rest of the travel industry.

“It’s been devastating temporarily. ... Travel is going to return, travel and leisure, and when it does, we’ll return with it. Social gathering at some point will return, and when it does, people will want to cruise,” Donald said on CNBC’s “Closing Bell.” “We’ve had substantial bookings. Bookings for 2021 are strong.”

It remains unclear, however, when ships will be allowed to sail again. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended the U.S. “No Sail Order” originally issued on March 14 for up to 100 days. Donald said Tuesday that Carnival, which is incorporated in Panama, has “voluntarily” extended its pause of operation.

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