Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced that its ocean-going cruise line members have agreed to voluntarily suspend U.S. cruise operations until at least Oct. 31, 2020.
The CLIA statement on behalf of its members notes that, “Despite the valuable alignment between CLIA’s previous voluntary suspension to Sept. 15 and the CDC’s current No-Sail Order date of Sept. 30, we believe it is prudent at this time to voluntarily extend the suspension of U.S. ocean-going cruise operations to Oct. 31.
“CLIA cruise line members will continue to monitor the situation with the understanding that we will revisit a possible further extension on or before Sept. 30, 2020. At the same time, should conditions in the U.S. change and it becomes possible to consider short, modified sailings, we would consider an earlier restart.”
Each day of the suspension of U.S. cruise operations results in a loss of up to $110 million in economic activity and 800 direct and indirect American jobs. The impact of the suspension is particularly profound in states that depend heavily on cruise tourism, including Florida, Texas, Alaska, Washington, New York and California.
For more information about the cruise industry’s response to COVID-19, visit the CLIA COVID-19 Resource Page.
Additionally, Carnival Cruise Line has informed guests and travel advisors that the cruise line has cancelled all cruises scheduled to embark between Oct. 1 and Oct. 31.
