Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced that the association’s ocean-going cruise line members will voluntarily extend the suspension of cruise operations from U.S. ports until 15 September 2020.
Because of the ongoing situation within the U.S. related to COVID-19, CLIA member cruise lines have decided to voluntarily extend the period of suspended passenger operations.
The current No Sail Order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will expire on 24 July, and although CLIA had hoped that cruise activity could resume as soon as possible after that date, it added that more time will be needed to resolve barriers to resumption in the United States.
Although we are confident that future cruises will be healthy and safe, and will fully reflect the latest protective measures, we also feel that it is appropriate to err on the side of caution to help ensure the best interests of our passengers and crewmembers
This voluntary suspension applies to all CLIA members to which the No Sail Order applied (vessels with capacity to carry 250 persons or more).
In 2018, the cruise industry supported over 421,000 jobs in the United States, with every 30 cruisers from U.S. ports supporting one American job.
Each day of the suspension of cruise operations in the U.S. is estimated to result in a total loss of approximately $110 million in economic activity and up to 800 American jobs.
