U.S. Cruise Operations Suspended Through Mid-September

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has voluntarily extended the suspension of cruise operations out of U.S. ports through September 15, 2020.

The current no-sail order from the CDC was set to expire on July 24, however CLIA announced they are choosing to “err on the side of caution to help ensure the best interests of our passengers and crew members.”

CLIA ocean-going cruise line members will voluntarily extend the suspension of cruise operations from U.S. ports until 15 September 2020. https://t.co/WabdGaETra

— Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) (@CLIAGlobal) June 19, 2020

“The current no-sail order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will expire on July 24, and although we 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,” the CLIA said in a statement.

“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 crew members,” the statement continued. “We have therefore decided to further extend our suspension of operations from U.S. ports until 15 September. The additional time will also allow us to consult with the CDC on measures that will be appropriate for the eventual resumption of cruise operations.”

It looks like more cancellations are all but inevitable https://t.co/xZZTEAdcTT #cruise #travel #comeseek #COVID19

— Royal Caribbean Blog (@theRCLblog) June 20, 2020

CLIA represents cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Corp. and Norwegian Cruise Line and the suspension will reportedly apply to all ships currently under the CDC no-sail directive (those with the capacity to carry 250 persons, passengers and crew or more).

According to CruiseCritic, “CLIA’s directives apply only to CLIA member lines sailing itineraries out of the United States. Sailings scheduled to depart from other parts of the world to non-U.S. ports of call are unaffected by this voluntary suspension and are unaffected by directives issued by the CDC, which only has authority within the borders of the United States.”