Due to 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 the cruise lines had hoped that cruise activity could resume as soon as possible after that date, it is increasingly clear that more time will be needed to resolve barriers to resumption in the United States.
Therefore the Global Board of Directors of CLIA has voted to voluntarily extend the suspension of U.S. cruise passenger operations until 15 September 2020. This voluntary suspension applies to all CLIA members to which the No Sail Order applied – vessels with capacity to carry 250 persons or more.
This decision will have tremendous implications for the greater cruise community including travel agents, ports, cruise suppliers and service providers, travel agencies and agents, cruise suppliers and service providers.
The cruise industry is a vital artery for the U.S. and European economy, with every 30 cruise passengers supporting one job. The cruise market supports travel agencies, airlines, hotels and a wide supply chain of industries spanning the globe. In doing so, the sector generates more than $ 150 billion a year in global economic activity and supports more than 1.17 million jobs worldwide in a variety of sectors from transportation and agriculture to hospitality and tourism, industry and beyond. To learn more about the impact of the suspension click here.