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Tag: CLIA

  • CLIA Extends Operations Suspension to October 31st

    CLIA Extends Operations Suspension to October 31st

    In response to the worsening coronavirus situation in the United States, as well as the hazardous health conditions around the world currently, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has extended their suspension of operations until October 31st. This probably doesn’t come as a huge shocker to many, but it definitely has serious implications for the cruise industry.

    The CLIA

    The CLIA may not be the type of organization that people will recognize quite as readily as most major cruise lines, but that doesn’t change how important it is or how much influence it has. The CLIA is the largest cruise industry trade association in the world, and it is made up of some of the biggest cruise lines that are out there. But beyond that, there are many members of the CLIA that aren’t cruise lines, including travel agents and partner companies. This means that any decision they make (like this one) is essentially adopted as the industry standard.

    Who does this apply to?

    While we covered what cruise lines would be affected by a CLIA No Sail Order in our last article, it should be noted that there is a difference with this new order. The CLIA noted in their statement about this that is a “suspension of U.S. ocean-going cruise operations.” This means that other cruise lines that are part of the CLIA that are not based in the U.S., such as AIDA, will not be affected by it.

    The previous verdict

    Before this was decided, the CLIA was planning on having all of its associated cruise lines allowed to sail again after September 15th, 2020. However, the trend of cruise companies having to continually push back their expected restart dates is still the case here.

    Will this be final?

    The last time the CLIA made a No Sail Order, we answered this question by saying “probably not.” That’s our same answer today. Until we get clear indication that the coronavirus situation is becoming safer and more manageable in the United States, we will likely not see cruises come back in the same way that they were before. The CLIA actually addresses this, saying that “CLIA cruise line members will continue to monitor the situation with the understanding that [they] will revisit a possible further extension on or before 30 September 2020.”

    So, yeah. Sad but expected news. Still, it’s not all bad, as the CLIA is open to the idea of an “earlier restart” if “conditions in the U.S. change and it becomes possible to consider short, modified sailings.” So let’s hope for that!

  • No CLIA Cruises from the U.S. Until September 15, 2020

    No CLIA Cruises from the U.S. Until September 15, 2020

    According to the Cruise Lines International Association (aka the CLIA), no cruise ship will depart from a port in the United States until September 15, 2020. This bit of news will come as a disappointment for anyone looking to take a cruise this summer to just get away from it all (if you were feeling that way, we don’t blame you), but it is just another step in the global effort to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

    CLIA versus the CDC

    Those who have been following the state of the cruise industry and its relation to coronavirus will remember that the CDC set out a No Sail Order for the cruise industry that stated that cruises wouldn’t be able to sail until July 24th. This was a preliminary date offered with the possibility of the No Sail Order being extended, but the CDC has yet to do anything of that sort. Instead, the CLIA evaluated the current state of the pandemic and decided that July 24th was too soon to safely sail. The CLIA said in a statement: “although we had hoped that cruise activity could resume as soon as possible after that date [July 24th], it is increasingly clear that more time will be needed to resolve barriers to resumption in the United States.”

    Is this final?

    Let’s say it this way: we wish. It seems that even the most conservative estimations for when cruises can resume again have been continually pushed back throughout the course of the pandemic, so we cannot say with any certainty that this will be the true, final date that cruises can resume. The CLIA themselves say that this date is subject to be pushed back later, saying that “CLIA member cruise lines will continually evaluate the evolving situation and make a determination as to whether a further extension is necessary.” This is ultimately the smartest way to play it, even if it leaves travelers somewhat guessing.

    Who does this apply to?

    While this being limited to CLIA cruise lines might seem like there will be plenty of options for cruises still, this really isn’t the case. A lot (seriously) of cruise lines are part of the CLIA. You can look it up yourself, but some of the names on there include Costa, Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Cunard…and that’s not even all of them that begin with the letter C. Even if there are cruise lines out there that aren’t affected directly by this order, it would be wise to expect other cruise lines to follow the lead set by the CLIA.

    It’s disappointing, sure, but remember: any step we take that stops the spread will just let things go back to normal quicker! It’s hard, but stay optimistic.

  • What Does CLIA Stand For?

    CLIA stands for “Cruise Lines International Association.” It is the world’s largest cruise association operating pursuant to an agreement filed with the Federal Maritime Commission under the Shipping Act of 1984. Cruise Lines International Association is composed of 23 major cruise lines, representing 97 percent of the cruise capacity marketed in North America.
    Serving as a non-governmental consultative organization to the International Maritime Organization (an agency of the United Nations), Cruise Lines International Associations’ mission is to aid in the growth and promotion of the cruise industry.

    Founded in 1975, Cruise Lines International Association merged with the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) in 2006. The International Council of Cruise Lines was created in 1990 and its purpose is to aid in the regulatory and policy development process of the cruise industry. Today, Cruise lines International Association and International Council of Cruise Lines help to “promote all measures that foster a safe, secure, and healthy cruise ship environment” as well as “educate and train its travel agent members, and promote and explain the value desirability and affordability of the cruise vacation experience.”

    More than 16,000 travel agencies are affiliated the Cruise Lines International Association and they all proudly display the CLIA seal. Cruise Lines International Association Affiliated Travel Agencies have:

    • Attended CLIA’s advanced training academy – The CLIA Institute.
    • Attended Cruise lines International Association endorsed cruise conference for training seminars and familiarization with cruise lines and cruise ships.
    • Attended up to 17 three-hour Cruise lines International Association classroom training programs.
    • Completed CLIA’S Internet based training courses.
    • Studied the Cruise lines International Association cruise vacation textbook.
    • Viewed up to 14 Cruise lines International Association training videos.

    Cruise Lines International Association has an Executive Partner Program in place, which is made up of approximately 100 of the most innovative suppliers of goods and services in the cruise industry.

    The Cruise Lines International Association website includes features such as a cruise planner and a travel agent center as well as cruise news, a research and search function, and detailed profiles for America’s top cruise lines and cruise ships. Visitors to the CLIA website may also register for cruise news and specials, and they can also search the site for just about anything cruise related.

    Cruise Line International Association features profiles and contact information for the following cruise lines, as well as all detailed information about every ship in each fleet:

    • American Cruise Lines
    • Azamara Cruises
    • Carnival Cruise Lines
    • Celebrity Cruises
    • Costa Cruises
    • Crystal Cruises
    • Cunard Line
    • Disney Cruise Line
    • Holland America Line
    • Hurtigruten
    • Majestic America Line
    • MSC Cruises
    • Norwegian Cruise Line
    • Oceania Cruise Line
    • Pearl Seas Cruises
    • Princess Cruises
    • Regent Severn Seas Cruises
    • Royal Caribbean International
    • Seabourn Cruise Line,
    • SeaDream Yacht Club
    • Silversea Cruises
    • Uniworld Grand River Cruises
    • Windstar Cruises

    To contact CLIA, please use the following contact information:

    For Technical, regulatory, safety and environmental issues:

    Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
    910 SE 17th Street, Suite 400
    Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
    TELEPHONE: 754-224-2200
    FAX: 754-224-2250
    WASHINGTON DC OFFICE

    For training services:

    2111 Wilson Boulevard, 8th Floor
    Arlington, VA 22201
    TELEPHONE: 703-522-8463
    FAX: 703-522-3811
    E-MAIL: [email protected]
    WEB: www.cruising.org

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