No-sail order to be ‘extended until October 31’

US cruise ships could be sailing again as early as November 1, according to reports that suggest the White House blocked a proposed extension to the no-sail order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to Axios, Robert Redfield, the director of the CDC, was overruled when he pushed to extend the order until February 2021.

The site reports that the Trump administration plans to extend the order until October 31, which will align with Clia’s self-imposed ban.

Cruise lines are set to meet with the US government this week to “describe their transformation and dozens of ways that they will mitigate risk and ensure public health,” a White House official told the publication.

Last week, we reported on how a panel of health experts has submitted its findings to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including proposals to test guests and crew members, to help get people cruising safely again.

The panel was formed in June by Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and is made up of experts in public health, infectious diseases, biosecurity, hospitality and maritime operations.

The Healthy Sail Panel’s 65-plus-page report includes 74 detailed best practices to protect the public health and safety of guests, crew and the communities where cruise ships call.  The Panel is chaired by Governor Mike Leavitt, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“The Healthy Sail Panel spent the last four months studying how to better protect the health and safety of guests and crew aboard cruise ships,” said Dr. Gottlieb. “Taken as a comprehensive approach, we believe the Panel’s robust public health recommendations will help inform strategies for a safe resumption of sailing.”

More: Sign up to our Cruise Digest newsletter
More: Read our cruise line cancellations list

Leavitt said: “This Panel undertook an ambitious, cross-disciplinary, public health examination to develop standards and guidelines that create the highest level of safety in the complex environment of a cruise ship. We studied the industry’s experiences combating the pandemic – and we then incorporated the many lessons learned and advances made by medicine and science over the past six months. The Panel’s recommendations are grounded in the best scientific and medical information available and are intended to meaningfully mitigate public health risks to those who sail.”

Meanwhile, all Clia-member cruise lines have committed to testing passengers and crew prior to embarkation, in a travel industry first.

The move, which applies specifically to US-based departures, was announced at a joint call of the world’s biggest cruise line executives, including Arnold Donald, the president & CEO of Carnival Corporation; Richard Fain, chairman & CEO of Royal Caribbean Group; Frank Del Rio, president & CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings; and Pierfrancesco Vago, the executive chairman of MSC.

Clia hosted the call and the new protocols are still subject to the US government lifting its no-sail order. Other requirements include mandatory mask wearing by all guests and crew during shore excursions if physical distancing cannot be maintained.

All Clia member cruise lines have also committed to air management and ventilation strategies to increase fresh air on board. Seatrade quoted Richard Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, as saying: “We all share these goals and will get there by collaboration, not competition,” during the call.