Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has once again prolonged its voluntary freeze of US cruise operations, this time to the end of October to give its members more time to respond to queries from the US government.
The Washington, DC-based industry organisation with almost 50 passengership owners as members had initially called to suspend voyages within US territories to mid-March and then mid-September.
The 15 September suspension went past the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s original no-sail order through July that it pushed back through September.
The CDC has also asked cruise lines to fill out request-for-information (RFI) forms explaining how they plan to prevent further onboard Covid-19 outbreaks by 21 September.
"Given that the RFI is open for comments until 21 September — just nine days prior to the expiration of the current no-sail order — we felt it prudent to allow the CDC additional time to review comments received in response to the RFI," CLIA told TradeWinds.
CDC supports CLIA's decisions
The CDC backs CLIA's voluntary operations suspensions because the pandemic continues to spread worldwide with no as-yet proven treatment or vaccine, spokesman Jason McDonald said.
"CDC continues to have regular conversations with the cruise line industry and cruise ship operators, often on a daily basis, as we work to review response plans submitted by the cruise lines to CDC under the no-sail order," he told TradeWinds.
"CDC will continue to evaluate and update our recommendations as the situation evolves; especially, if CLIA member lines should decide to consider an earlier resumption with short, modified sailings."
CLIA's 15 September suspension date prompted the Royal Caribbean International brand, which is part of US-based cruise major and CLIA member Royal Caribbean Group, to postpone its fleet restart to 15 September.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings does not plan to start sailing again until November, while some Carnival Corp-owned ships and other cruise operators will not pull up anchor until 2021.
"Despite the valuable alignment between CLIA’s previous voluntary suspension to 15 September and the CDC’s current no-sail order date of 30 September, we believe it is prudent at this time to voluntarily extend the suspension of US ocean-going cruise operations to 31 October," said CLIA, which is led by chairman and former Royal Caribbean Group executive Adam Goldstein.
"This is a difficult decision as we recognise the crushing impact that this pandemic has had on our community and every other industry.
"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."
CLIA said it is unilaterally implementing fleet lay-up suspensions because crew and passenger is "top priority" for its members.
In regards to your second question, the health and safety of passengers and crew is the top priority for CLIA cruise lines. While we hope to be able to resume operations as soon as possible, it is clear that more time is needed to support resumption in the US. Additionally, the CDC’s Request for Information represents an important opportunity for members of the cruise community to share their perspectives with the CDC.
Sector sees Covid-19 flare-ups
CLIA's decision to postpone its voluntary cruise suspension comes as TUI Cruises, Hurtigruten and Paul Gauguin Cruises experience Covid-19 outbreaks on ships they have returned to service, as reported in TradeWinds.
Norway’s Hurtigruten revealed on Saturday that 36 crew on its 21,800-gt expedition cruiseship Roald Amundsen (built 2019) had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Last week, Germany’s TUI Cruises said that five crew who were set to join its 111,600-gt cruiseship Mein Schiff 1 (built 2018) tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in Germany.
A passenger with Covid-19 led to the quarantining of 19,200-gt cruiseship Paul Gauguin (built 1996) in French Polynesia last weekend.
The ship, which is operated by French cruise operator Ponant’s Paul Gauguin Cruises, was forced to return to Papeete on Sunday after the passenger tested positive on board.
Arnold Donald-led Carnival has also delayed plans to sail two AIDA Cruises ships as the German brand awaits approval from flag state Italy.
AIDA was scheduled to hold short voyages on AIDAperla and AIDAmar that would depart between this Wednesday and 12 August.
