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Cruise Industry Leaders Seek Resumption of Cruises at U.S. Ports
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has called on the U.S. government to allow for the resumption of cruise operations from its ports by July, saying current restrictions do not reflect the cruise industry’s innovative and successful health and science protocols to combat coronavirus (COVD-19).
The Framework for Conditional Sail (CSO) from the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) fails to consider the industry’s proven advancements and success operating in other parts of the world since the global pandemic began as well as the advent of vaccines.
Over the past eight months, a highly-controlled resumption of cruising has continued in Europe, Asia and the South Pacific – with nearly 400,000 passengers sailing to date in more than 10 major cruise markets. These voyages were successfully completed with industry-leading protocols that have effectively mitigated the spread of COVID-19.
With additional sailings planned in the Mediterranean and Caribbean later this spring and summer, this is a testament to the industry’s unparalleled expertise, gained over more than half a century, in coordinating movements of guests and crew, efficiently organizing complex embarkations and excursions, and designing vessels that are more technologically advanced and operationally agile than any other mode of transportation.
The cruise industry has adopted a high bar for resumption around the world with a multi-layered set of policies that is intended to be revised as conditions change. CLIA members follow this multi-layered approach to enhancing health and safety that has proven effective, making cruising one of the best and most adaptable choices for travel. In addition, the development and deployment of vaccines and therapeutics further strengthens CLIA’s stance to resume cruises from U.S. ports. President Biden expects all adults will be eligible for vaccinations by May 2, 2021 – that alone is a gamechanger.
Following the industry’s voluntary suspension of operations one year ago, the CDC has prevented cruise lines from operating in the U.S. through a series of CDC “No Sail Orders” effectively banning all sailings in the largest cruise market in the world. Cruising is the only sector of the U.S. economy that remains prohibited, even as most others have opened or continued to operate throughout the pandemic.
The cruise industry, wholeheartedly supporting President Biden’s efforts to boost the U.S. economy, is an essential component of the overall economy. The cruise industry alone accounted for nearly 450,000 American jobs and contributed over $55.5 billion annually prior to the pandemic. Based on economic modeling by research firm BREA, more than 300,000 U.S. jobs have been lost due to the suspension of cruises. Most are independent business owners or individuals, who are employed by small- to medium-sized businesses and include travel agents, taxi drivers, port employees, baggage handlers, longshoremen and airline, hotel and restaurant workers.
