Members will use the time to prepare to implement extensive new Covid health and safety measures the industry hopes will allow cruising to resume safely.

Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings on Monday (2 November) confirmed their lines and brands would be suspending operations until 31 December.

The announcement comes after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revoked its long-standing no-sail order last week.

The order has been replaced with a new "framework for conditional sailing order", which is expected to define how and when cruise operations resume in US waters.
 

Clia said the decision followed a "months-long planning process" involving its members, public health experts and the CDC.

"As we continue to plan for a gradual and highly-controlled return of cruise operations in the US, Clia members are committed to implementing stringent measures to address Covid-19 safety, including 100% testing of passengers and crew, expanded onboard medical capabilities, and trial sailings, among many others," said Clia on Tuesday (3 November).

"We share a common goal with the CDC to protect public health, which has been affirmed and reaffirmed consistently throughout the industry’s response to the global pandemic.

"As we work to operationalise a path forward, our members have agreed to extend our existing suspension of US operations through 31 December."

Clia said the suspension would provide additional time to align the industry’s work on new health protocols with the CDC’s implementation requirements.

It also on Tuesday vowed to work "with urgency" on a "responsible return to cruising" while recognising the more than 400,000 roles affected by the impact of Covid-19 on cruise operations.

"The cruise industry is a vital economic artery in the United States," said Clia. "Each day without cruise operations in the US results in nearly 1,000 American jobs lost.

"From mid-March through today, it is estimated the suspension of cruise operations has resulted in a loss of more than $25 billion in economic activity and more than 164,000 American jobs."