CLIA Announces Voluntary Suspension of Cruise Operations from U.S. Ports Until September 15

[GrnMtnMan]

Disney is a member, so I assume a DCL announcement is forthcoming:

https://cruising.org/news-and-resea...suspension-of-cruise-operations-from-us-ports
WASHINGTON, DC (19 June 2020)—Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) issued the following statement today to announce that the association’s ocean-going cruise line members will voluntarily extend the suspension of cruise operations from U.S. ports until 15 September 2020.

“Due to the ongoing situation within the U.S. related to COVID-19, CLIA member cruise lines have decided to voluntarily extend the period of suspended passenger operations. The current No Sail Order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will expire on 24 July, and although we had hoped that cruise activity could resume as soon as possible after that date, it is increasingly clear that more time will be needed to resolve barriers to resumption in the United States.

“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. We have therefore decided to further extend our suspension of operations from U.S. ports until 15 September. 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.

“This voluntary suspension applies to all CLIA members to which the No Sail Order applied (vessels with capacity to carry 250 persons or more). CLIA member cruise lines will continually evaluate the evolving situation and make a determination as to whether a further extension is necessary.”

 

[TestingH2O]

Not surprising, but still sad.

 

[ajo]

Well, at least it gives everyone an answer about all the cruises before that date.

 

[CmdrThor]

Sucks a lot for our September 19th sailing. I know it will probably be cancelled, but I can see Disney waiting until August to cancel us now.

 

[T & R]

Dang, that's not good. I guess on the positive side it may keep the CDC from doing another 100 day order. Rather have a 45 day voluntary ban that a 100 day mandatory ban.

 

[T & R]

@CmdrThor
Might not be cancelled. That gives them almost 2 extra months to figure things out after the 07/24 ban expiration. Maybe that's the date everyone agreed on that they could all be ready by.

 

[yowcruiser]

There is also a "hidden benefit" of resuming only in mid-September. This is traditionally a much slower time period for family oriented cruise lines and could make it much less problematic to implement "reduced capacity protocols" . Resuming earlier might have been a bit of a headache for some cruise line if bookings were still fairly high, or above levels that would be allowable. In effect, write off the summer season to start slowly in the Fall...

 

[randumb0]

The slow crawl to cancelling cruises for the rest of the year

 

[T & R]

There is also a "hidden benefit" of resuming only in mid-September. This is traditionally a much slower time period for family oriented cruise lines and could make it much less problematic to implement "reduced capacity protocols" . Resuming earlier might have been a bit of a headache for some cruise line if bookings were still fairly high, or above levels that would be allowable. In effect, write off the summer season to start slowly in the Fall...

Exactly. This lets them clear out there summer book. Otherwise they were going to have to tell half their ships that their cruise is cancelled in order to reduce capacity. How do you pick which half to cancel? People would be ticked off to be cancelled and yet still see their cruise sail out with people on it. Sept 15th would be after school starts back up and hurricane season which would have lower capacity anyways.

 

[randumb0]

Keep in mind you're moving into the start of virus season so anyone booked around that time should be open to the fact that you may not sail if the covid numbers increase

 

[T & R]

Well buy your 07/31 to 09/15 cruises now while they're still up. You'll at least get 100% refund and at most get a 125% FCC.

 

[bcwife76]

Well buy your 07/31 to 09/15 cruises now while their still up. You'll at least get 100% refund and at most get a 125% FCC.

Too late, they're already removed from the website

 

[T & R]

Too late, they're already removed from the website

Yep, that was fast

 

[T & R]

These are unsustainable numbers. They need to get this thing figured out or a lot of lines aren't going to come out of this thing when it's over. Carnival alone announced yesterday they had quarterly loss of $4.4 billion dollars. That's just one quarter.

According to this CLIA article "Each day of the suspension of cruise operations in the U.S. results in a total loss of approximately $110 million in economic activity and up to 800 American jobs".

 

[mike314]

Well there goes my cruise...I was all set 3 night on the Fantasy to CC double dip

 

[Geomom]

We were booked on the 8/3 Dream cruise...glad to know about the cancellation this far in advance. I had already booked a resort with our DVC pts for the cruise dates just in case to cover us until our flight home.

 

[starvenger]

I just posted the CLIA release on the RCI forum. It was inevitable, yet it still sucks.

 

[yowcruiser]

The other thing is that the Dream was rumoured to go for dry dock in early October so odds are that even if sailing was to resume around Sept. 15, the Dream may not be back before late October/early November

 

[CmdrThor]

Too late, they're already removed from the website

Yep, all the way through the end of September.

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

Not unexpected, but sad to read. RIP our September cruise. Moving on to hoping our November cruise will go.