A LUXURY Southampton cruise operator has suspended operations due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Cunard has temporarily suspended its operations and is accepting no new guests or crew on its ships.

According to the cruise company based at Carnival House, all operations will stop until April 11.

It comes following advice from the Cruise Lines International Association for cruise lines to voluntarily and temporarily suspend operations from U.S. ports for 30-days.

This will impact P&O cruises which will also be suspended until April 11.

Cunard president Simon Palethorpe said: “Having reviewed all of our ship operations and industry recommendations, we have decided no new guests or crew will be joining our ships as we suspend operations until April 11, 2020.

“This pause in operations has been done in an abundance of caution to support the global effort to contain the spread of Covid-19.”

All guests impacted directly by this temporary suspension are being contacted regarding their voyage and their options.

Palethorpe continued: “These truly are unprecedented times, the likes of which we have certainly never seen before. We are really sorry for the disruption and disappointment that this extraordinary measure will cause. We hope everyone will understand that we have to take these measures in the interests of protecting the wellbeing of our guests and crew.”