Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, major cruise lines won’t be setting sail before September.
The Cruise Lines International Association announced on Friday that member cruise lines have voluntarily agreed to suspend operations out of U.S ports until September 15, per CNBC.
“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,” CLIA said in a statement.
“It is increasingly clear that more time will be needed to resolve barriers to resumption in the United States,” the statement added.
CLIA represents Royal Caribbean, Carnival Corp. and Norwegian Cruise Line.
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“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 crewmembers,” the trade group noted. “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.”
All cruise giants temporarily halted operations on March 13 when the spread of COVID was ramping up. The CDC later extended the “no-sail” order through July 24 to curb the spread of the novel virus.
The extension order said “that cruise ship travel exacerbates the global spread of Covid-19 and that the scope of this pandemic is inherently and necessarily a problem that is international and interstate in nature and has not been controlled sufficiently by the cruise ship industry or individual State or local health authorities.”
In May, Norwegian revealed that it might have to seek bankruptcy protection. Meanwhile, Princess Cruises was sued by quarantined passengers.
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