Category: News

With ocean and river cruise lines temporarily suspending service around the world as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping track of the seemingly minute-by-minute changes to the cruise industry can be challenging. Most cruise lines have voluntarily paused sailings for the meantime after being faced with port closures; a lack of suitable infrastructure, including flights; and increased travel restrictions that change on a country-by-country basis. (cruisecritic.co.uk)

A growing number of ocean and river cruise lines have suspended all operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions around the world. The shutdowns, which come after two months of altered itineraries, canceled cruises and port closures, are part of the cruise industry’s efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus and to keep passengers, crew and communities safe and healthy. (cruisecritic.co.uk)

Many cruise lines have canceled or altered scheduled sailings in Asia and other parts of the world as 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. (cruisecritic.com)

Over 400 cruise ships are poised to spend April without revenue-generating passengers, leading to lay up costs totaling some $1 billion across the industry, according to a Cruise Industry News estimate. The estimate takes into account a mostly hot lay up scenario, where ships are kept essentially ready to go operations-wise with a full set of deck and engine crew, and a near fully-staffed hotel crew. (cruiseindustrynews.com)

The CDC has updated its recommendations to help U.S. cruise ship travelers get home as quickly and safely as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, including that healthy guests disembarking should self-quarantine for 14 days upon arriving home. (cruiseindustrynews.com)

As of April 4, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its recommendations to help U.S. cruise ship travelers get home as quickly and safely as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. (travelagentcentral.com)

The major cruise lines are planning to start operations again as soon as May in most cases. (cruiseindustrynews.com)

The coronavirus pandemic has effectively shut down the US economy over the last month, compelling the Trump administration to pass a $2 trillion stimulus package to rescue a collapsing economy. The hefty package — in addition to emergency federal aid for average people — included a $500 billion corporate fund to bail out distressed companies and industries. (businessinsider.com)