The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its members welcome the publication by EU Healthy Gatewaysof guidance for restarting cruise operations. This is an important step towards the potential resumption of the cruise industry in Europe. CLIA and its members have been actively involved in developing this guidance and will continue to work with EU Healthy Gateways (a European Public Health Alliance co-funded by the European Union's health program) to assess its practicality and suitability for advancing the industry's return to activity.
CLIA member cruise lines have identified appropriate protocols, based on guidance from health authorities and medical experts, that cover passengers from the moment they book their cruise until their safe return home. This guide will help inform these protocols and provide another level of confidence for our guests and crew.
“The primary concern of CLIA and its members is the health and safety of the customers, crew, and local communities we visit. This guidance from health authorities and experts in Europe provides a useful resource for cruise lines as they prepare to resume operations,” said Tom Boardly, Secretary General of CLIA Europe.
“This is very good news and we are confident that activity can resume as soon as possible and that Spain will not lose competitiveness with other countries,” said Alfredo Serrano, director of CLIA Spain.
CLIA members anticipate that the resumption of operations will be gradual and the full return to activity will also depend on a variety of factors including international, national and/or local agreements, the state of COVID-19 spread in specific locations and advances in detection, treatment and prevention.
