Cruises – Not starting yet

The US membership of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is to voluntarily extend the pause in US cruise embarkations until 31 October.

If conditions in the US change and modified sailings are possible, the industry may consider an earlier restart if practical.  CLIA says in the meantime it will continue to work with public health and government officials to finalise enhanced health and sanitation protocols and procedures that will guide the eventual return to service.

CLIA includes Carnival Group, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess and Royal Caribbean.  This hiatus is likely to stand for Europe also, although MSC Cruises is planning a two-ship restart in the Mediterranean this month for mainland European residents only, followed by a larger restart of 14 vessels on 31 October.

The potential late summer programme would see MSC Grandiosa and MSC Magnifica welcome Schengen (EU) residents on voyages to the Mediterranean. MSC is still awaiting approval of these voyages, which would run one week in duration.  Ports would include Greece and Malta, where MSC notes that cruises have officially been welcomed.  Countries have reviewed, and support, the safety protocols and restart of operations.  Passengers on these initial voyages will only be permitted to go onshore on MSC-arranged shore excursions. No independent journeys ashore will be allowed.

British cruise line, TUI-owned Marella, hopes to set sail 2 October with Explorer (See BTN 4 June 2018) and is taking bookings.  SAGA we covered in BTN 3 August. 

Please check with the individual cruise lines.

https://cruising.org

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