U.S. cruise operators will voluntarily suspend ocean voyages until at least October 31, as new COVID-19 infections continue to surge in the US.
According to Reuters, the Cruise Lines International Association said its members, which include the three biggest U.S. cruise operators Carnival Corp, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd and Royal Caribbean Group, would consider a possible further extension on or before September 30.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a no-sail order for all cruise ships through next month’s end.
Namely, the cruise industry has been among the worst hit by the pandemic, with ships in Japan, Australia and California making headlines for the spread COVID-19 cases onboard.
In the beginning of the week, Norway stopped all cruise ships with more than 100 people on board from disembarking at its ports after an outbreak of COVID-19 was reported on a ship, that had already disembarked at the port of Tromsoe.
