Cruise lines have temporarily suspended operations worldwide and altered future sailings in globally as the novel coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) continues to spread.
In January, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, following an emergency committee meeting in Geneva. On March 11, WHO declared the outbreak a worldwide pandemic.
In additon, a number of ports throughout the world and the Caribbean are barring ships from docking.
The U.S. State Department has issued a Global Level 4 “do not travel” health advisory for travel abroad. The U.K.’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office also updated its travel guidance, advising against cruise travel, but allowing travel on river cruises.
Cruise lines have reacted by relaxing their cancellation and postponement policies, allowing concerned passengers to cancel — in some cases — up to 24 hours before departure.
On October 30, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
on all cruise ships over 250 passengers and crew that operate in U.S. waters allowing lines to technically restart cruising in November. However, the CDC has put in place a strict set of health protocols which raise more questions than answers and has led to lines further suspending operations, with the earliest likely restart in April 2021.
