The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made the concession on Friday (30 October), with the framework set to guide a "phased resumption of cruise ship passenger operations".
The order, though, gives no indication of when operations may be allowed to resume with paying passengers, and details a number of steps lines will have to achieve first.
Early phases will explore additional testing and health and safety measures to protect crew, before moving on to "simulated voyages" to test lines’ procedures to mitigate Covid risk.
Ships will need to be certified to show they meet specific Covid prevention requirements, and that they can resume operations in a phased manner "that mitigates Covid-19 risk among passengers, crew members and US communities".
The CDC’s no-sail order had been due to lapse on Saturday (31 October) following a month’s extension; Clia members have, for the past seven months, voluntarily suspended US cruise operations.
The association has welcomed the move by the CDC, stating its members efforts to resume cruise operations would be guided by health and science experts, and its pan-industry Healthy Sail Panel.
"Our members are 100% committed to helping to protect the health of our guests, our crew and the communities we serve, and are prepared to implement multiple layers of protocols informed by the latest scientific and medical knowledge," said Clia.
"The economic consequences of the ongoing suspension of service are felt in communities across the United States, and with hundreds of thousands of jobs at stake we are committed to resume sailing in a responsible manner that keeps public health in the forefront.
"We look forward to reviewing the order in greater detail and working with the CDC to advance a return to cruising from US ports."
Clia said measures its members were ready to implement included 100% pre-cruise testing for passengers and crew, mandatory mask-wearing, enforcement of physical distancing where necessary, and tighter oversight for passengers during shore excursions.
The association also highlighted how several Clia members in Europe and other parts of the world had successfully resumed passenger operations.
Kelly Craighead, Clia president and chief executive, said: “While we look forward to reviewing the new order in detail, we expect much of the Healthy Sail Panel’s recommendations, which were adopted by Clia’s global directors earlier this month, have been considered and will serve as an important foundation.
"The cruise industry and the CDC have a long track record of working together in the interest of public health, and we look forward to continuing to build upon this legacy to support the resumption of cruising from US ports.
"With enhanced measures in place, and with the continued guidance of leading experts in health and science as well as the CDC, we are confident that a resumption of cruising in the US is possible to support the economic recovery while maintaining a focus on effective and science-based measures to protect public health.”
