- Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) says there is “hope and optimism” for the sector in 2021.
- From early July through mid-December 2020, CLIA said there was more than 200 sailings.
- The success of these initial sailings demonstrates that the new protocols are working as designed — to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 among passengers and crew.
A recent news article published in the Ship and Bunker reveals that CLIA is very much positive about the Cruise Industry despite it is pushed to the corners.
A silver lining
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) says there is “hope and optimism” for the sector in 2021 after it was brought to a virtual standstill in March of this year by measures taken in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
From a marine fuel perspective this did not translate into zero bunker consumption, however, as the sector instead faced the challenge of repatriating its crew.
Life was difficult for cruise operators
Earlier this year, Michael McNamara, Vice President Global Fuel Supply at Carnival Corporation, was among those to note the additional logistical challenges this caused as vessels moved away from their usual fixed-route schedule to behave more akin to tramp operators.
“CLIA cruise lines defied the odds and overcame unprecedented challenges to repatriate over 100,000 crew members, often via ship due to commercial air travel restrictions and other barriers,” the association wrote in its latest 2021 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook.
Feeling positive
While a full restart for cruise next year is still not certain, CLIA indicated there was plenty to be positive about, not least of which being the introduction of a host of new COVID-focused safety measures including 100% passenger and crew testing, health evaluations, and strict protocols for shore excursions.
“The industry is on a path to resumption in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and elsewhere in 2021.”
Customers all set to take cruise ships
Of course, service startup is one thing; the critical question is whether customers will want to cruise again. According to CLIA, the answer to that is yes.
what does the report say?
- 74% of cruisers are likely to cruise in the next few years
- 2 out of 3 cruisers are willing to cruise within a year
- and 58% of international vacationers who have never cruised are likely to cruise in the next few years.
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Source: Ship and Bunker
