Cruise Industry Will Not Sail Through October Due To Coronavirus

With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “no-sail” order set to expire at the end of September, the U.S. cruise industry has taken additional steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by suspending their operations until “at least” Oct. 31.

“This is a difficult decision as we recognize the crushing impact that this pandemic has had on our community and every other industry,” the Cruise Lines International Association said in a statement. “However, we believe this proactive action further demonstrates the cruise industry’s commitment to public health and willingness to voluntarily suspend operations in the interest of public health and safety, as has occurred twice prior.”

The CLIA order will cover all memberships with the organization, which holds 95% of the world’s oceangoing ships.

The CLIA said it will reevaluate the coronavirus situation by Sept. 30 and will announce whether or not it is extending its suspension further. The association may also consider an earlier start date if conditions change in the U.S.

The organization said in June, it had made the decision to voluntarily suspend operations until Sept. 15. This was before the CDC issued its “no-sail” order extension, which CLIA then aligned with.

The cruise line industry has been decimated by the coronavirus as travel demand dropped, and cruise lines suspended operations. As some cruise lines resumed their operations, coronavirus outbreaks have occurred, causing a Norwegian carrier, Hurtigruten to apologize after 41 people aboard on of its sailings were infected with the coronavirus along with at least 69 municipalities where passengers disembarked.

The cruise line suspensions have taken nearly $53 billion from the U.S. economy annually, generating a loss of $100 million a day, USA Today reported. The cruise line industry will have been shut down for seven months by the time that CLIA’s suspension order is over.

While the CLIA has issued a sailing suspension, several other cruise lines have already moved toward the Oct. 31 date or suspended operations even further. Norwegian, Regent, Oceania, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean has suspended U.S. voyages through Oct. 31, while Princess Cruises has stopped is cruise schedule in the U.S. through Dec. 15.