While the airlines anxiously await a potential second round of government aid, another big segment of the travel world is also on pins and needles this week. The cruise industry in the U.S. remains under a No-Sail Order by the Centers for Disease Control since March due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, the industry is hoping the Wednesday, September 30 deadline for that CDC order expires quietly. Thereafter, it can again return to the waters and conduct business. Though some cruise lines have set sail in Europe, ships carrying more than 250 guests are not allowed to cruise within the U.S. Impressively, the Caribbean’s first cruise line to resume sailing will begin November 1st with the SeaDream Yacht Club.
The airlines are set to lay off tens of thousands of employees on October 1 unless they receive an extension of the CARES Act stimulus package from March. Cruise companies just want back in the water; CruiseRadio.net noted the plans for health and safety protocols set forth last week by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) on behalf of all its members as well as a separate one called the Healthy Sail Plan put together by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Royal Caribbean Group.
Cruise Officials Outline 74-Step Safety Plan
This article originally appeared on TravelPulse.com.
