The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which represents 95% of the world's cruise industry, has announced the mandatory basic standards in the health protocols that will be implemented for the gradual and highly controlled resumption of operations. The next step, now that cruises have begun sailing with strict protocols in Europe, is the resumption of operations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America, encompassing the world's largest cruise market.
Developed by leading scientists, medical experts, and health authorities, the core guidelines are the product of work by CLIA cruise lines and their teams of scientific and medical experts, including recommendations from the Healthy Sail panel established by Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., as well as MSC Cruises' Blue Ribbon group and independent external experts from Carnival Corporation. They also draw upon effective protocols developed by MSC Cruises, Costa, TUI Cruises, Ponant, SeaDream, and other cruise lines that have successfully resumed operations in Europe.
The CLIA Board of Directors unanimously voted to adopt these basic standards for restarting operations in the Americas and, more importantly, operations related to U.S. ports. These standards will be continuously evaluated and adjusted based on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and the availability of new prevention, treatment, and mitigation measures.
Coinciding with the publication of these standards agreed upon by CLIA members, the Association issued the following statement: Guided by world-class experts in medicine and science, CLIA and the cruise lines have charted a course to support the phased and highly controlled return of passengers to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America, with protocols that promote the health and safety of passengers, crew, and the communities visited. The established core principles reflect the successful resumption of cruising in other parts of the world and include testing 100% of passengers and crew before embarkation, a first in the travel industry.
The basic rules include:
- 100% of passengers and crew tested for COVID-19 before boarding.
- Mandatory use of face masks by all passengers and crew on board and during excursions when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
- Physical distancing in terminals, on board ships, on private islands and during shore excursions.
- Air management and ventilation strategies to increase fresh air on board and, where feasible, use improved filters and other technologies to mitigate risk.
- Response plans tailored to each vessel to manage medical needs, a specific cabin assigned for isolation and other operational measures, plus advance agreements with private providers for onshore quarantine, medical facilities and transport, if needed.
- Only shore excursions organized by cruise operators are permitted, strict adherence is required of all passengers, and passengers who do not comply will be denied the possibility of re-embarking.
- The measures will be continuously evaluated and adjusted based on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the availability of new prevention and mitigation measures.
Governments, destinations, science, and medicine responded favorably to the publication of the guidelines to be included in the protocols announced by CLIA, including the following comments:
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who co-chairs the Americas Cruise Tourism Task Force, said: “Cruise tourism is incredibly important to our regional economies, and we are eager for its safe return to help revitalize our economies and share the beauty of our destinations. The cruise lines’ commitment to testing 100% of passengers and crew is significant and unique compared to any other sector.”
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez said, “With the development of these rigorous safety protocols, the cruise industry is once again demonstrating its leadership and commitment to public health in travel and tourism. Based on the effectiveness of the protocols implemented by CLIA partners in Europe and other parts of the world, I am confident that a slow and gradual resumption of cruise operations in the Americas can be done responsibly in the coming months.”
Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council, said: “As the Travel & Tourism sector continues its fight for survival, the cruise industry is demonstrating the importance of testing as an effective tool for resuming travel. The principles developed by the cruise industry are in line with the WTTC’s Safe Travels protocols. Testing is key to recovery, and the cruise industry is leading by example, testing all passengers and crew before embarkation. The implementation of this program demonstrates the industry’s commitment to the highest health and safety standards. We are impressed by the level of detail included in the protocols and look forward to seeing progress as cruises gradually resume.”
CLIA President and CEO Kelly Craighead commented, “We recognize the devastating impact the pandemic, and the subsequent suspension of cruise operations, has had on economies around the world, including the broader cruise community and the small businesses in America that rely on this industry for their livelihoods. Based on what we are seeing in Europe, and after months of collaboration with leading public health experts, scientists, and governments, we are confident that these measures will provide a pathway for the return of cruises to the United States before the end of this year.”
