Let’s take a look back at the Cruise industry as it emerged from COVID, as well as how the industry looks today and the future outlook.
We all know why the Cruise industry shut down. But what many don’t know is why it took so long to return. Greece became an early cruise destination for many travelers itching to get back out on the sea. Unfortunately returning to the United States proved to be too risky for many. In that I am referring to the requirement that a returning traveler must be tested within 72 hours before boarding their flight, if they test positive they need to quarantine for 14 days in whatever country they are in.
Because of this risk many travelers wanted to sail out of and return to an American port. But the industry took a long time to restart sailings. This was caused by a hesitancy from the Centers for Disease Control to allow the industry to restart. While other industries were coming back to life, Cruise ships soon became the only industry not allowed to resume operations. But as time passed, and cruise lines worked very hard to provide a safe experience the CDC did eventually allow the cruise industry to restart.
Caribbean sailing came back quickly but was almost stoped just as fast. In the spring Florida passed a law that would prevent Cruise ships leaving from a Florida port to verify vaccination status. This was a problem for two reasons. The first is that many foreign countries were requiring cruise ships to verify that all passengers and crew were vaccinated if they were to dock. Not being able to verify vaccination status would have dramatically decreased the or even stoped their ability to visit a port in another country.The second reason is a law known as the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886.
The PVSA basically says that Cruise ships passing through American ports must be made in America and crewed by Americans. It is similar to the Jones Act, which is the shipping equivalent. Now to get around the PVSA many cruise ships doc in a foreign port between the beginning and end of the voyage. The PVSA only applies to ships traveling form one American port to another. And this is where that Florida law was going to make a mess of things for Caribbean travel. Eventually Norwegian Cruise Lines challenged the law and won, allowing cruise ships to check vaccination status and be in compliance with the countries they were visiting.
Now Alaskan travel also was prohibited from operating because of the PVSA. Canada closed it’s ports to any Cruise ship till November at the earliest. So an Alaskan Cruise leaving from Washington State would not be allowed to sail to Alaska because there were no other foreign ports they could visit in-between.
It is worth mentioning that there was a federal law, signed by President Biden which temporarily exempted some Cruise ships from the PVSA. Currently the Alaskan congressional delegation is working to make these changes permanent, but only for cruise ships stopping in an Alaskan port.
Cruising from an American port was not without it’s frustrations. For a while it seemed like COVID protocols were changing week to week. It got so bad that a traveler could arrive in Miami, check the rules, check into a hotel for the night. Then the next day find that all the rules have changed while they are trying to board the ship.
So that’s where we’ve been this last year, how are things now?
In a word, better.
COVID protocols have stabilized, for the most part. The Cruise industry has been adapting to both the countries they visit, as well as passenger concerns, and they have done a fine job. Sailing on a cruise today is easier then it was a month ago. Especially for vaccinated travelers.
Knowing that things have improved, the questions many travelers have been asking us is how does cruising look in the future?
And honestly I am very happy to say that right now the future of the Cruise industry is looking very, very good. Many cruise lines have been committed to bringing their fleets back online and expanding their itineraries. They are also looking for ways to demonstrate how safe cruising currently is. Many ships have been completely upgraded with hospital grade air purification. Cleaning procedures have been updated to keep passengers safe and a whole host of other procedure changes have been all with passenger health and safety in mind. So if you are considering booking a cruise, now is a good time to do so.
To close I am going to share my personal opinion.
Right now the possibility of having to quarantine in a foreign country has me a little uneasy. I am advising my clients that wish to travel overseas to purchase the necessary insurances to cover them in such an event. And be prepared for it. Vaccinations look like they decrease the likelihood of infection, but they are no guarantee.
The landscape for foreign travel is still changing, so who knows what tomorrow will bring. Right now I feel that taking a Cruise is a good choice over flying to a foreign country.
There are a lot of cursing options available right now so there is sure to be a sailing that can fit whatever you are looking for. From small ship, specialized or adventure cruises, to large ship full resorts at sea. There is something for everyone. Want to walk on Antartica? There is a cruise that will take you there. Want to explore the ocean in a submarine? There is a cruise line that does that. Want to enjoy fun in the sun while the stresses of the world fall away? Absolutely! Whatever you want, there is sure to be a cruise line offering a sailing that will be a fit.
