On Monday (20 September), the White House confirmed it would open its borders to double jabbed visitors from the UK and EU in early November.
Following the announcement, Clia expressed its appreciation to the US government for "recognising the importance" of international travel to the country’s economy.
"The cruise industry is an important driver of international visits to the United States, prompting approximately 2.5 million international visitors to travel to the country to embark on a cruise in 2019, representing nearly 18% of all US cruise embarkations," a spokesperson for the association said.
"International cruise visitors in the United States spend $4.5 billion annually on hotel stays, transportation, retail and other businesses, supporting nearly 60,000 American jobs."
Rupert Thomson, managing director of Light Blue Travel, said although the company has been unable to fulfil any US cruise bookings over the past 20 months, "hopefully we can salvage something for the last two months of 2021".
"We expect to see a surge in long haul luxury holiday bookings for 2022 & 23, including special cruises with upgrades, as people make up for the lost holiday years and we can offer the reassurance that it is mandatory for all crew and passengers to be double vaccinated on American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines’ vessels," he added.
James Cole, founder and managing director of Panache Cruises, said the news will provide "further momentum" for the industry.
"This news not only opens up US stays, pre and post-cruise and sailings from the US, but also significantly increases access to the Caribbean and other destinations as many ships leave from US waters and many flights transit through the US," he added.
"This positive news from a world super power may also lead to other countries following suit and more of the world opening up over the coming weeks and months as we continue to return to a level of normality."
