Cruise ships from US ports will not sail until the fall

All members of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) with vessels departing from ports within the United States are voluntarily extending their service suspensions until September 15, 2020.

The Cruise Lines International Association is the largest international cruise industry trade association that provides “a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community” through endorsing safe, sustainable policies to ensure a positive cruise travel experience.

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Member cruise lines include big names such as Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, and AIDA Cruises.

In a statement released by CLIA on June 18, the reasoning behind the extension is because of the “ongoing situation within the US related to COVID-19.”

According to the statement, the No Sail Order put in place by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will conclude on July 24. Still, although it was anticipated that cruise operations could resume as early as possible following this date, it is apparent that additional time is necessary before service can start again in the United States.

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 service suspension extension encompasses all CLIA members to which the No Sail Order applied, which is all vessels with the capacity to harbour 250 or more people.

“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 CLIA statement reads. “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.”

The United States remains at the top of the list in terms of the most confirmed known cases of coronavirus in the world, with 2,306,247 as of June 22, according to Johns Hopkins University.