US ban on cruise ships extended until September due to coronavirus infections

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the no-sail order had been extended. It was previously due to expire on July 24.

Photo by courtesy of Lourden Parro

Federal health officials are extending the U.S. ban on cruise ships through the end of September due to coronavirus infections which is continuously rising in most U.S. states, including Florida. 

The agency said in the order signed by CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield that the cruise industry hasn’t controlled transmission of the virus on its ships.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it was concerned whether cruise ships operating now with reduced crews were complying with practices designed to prevent transmitting the virus. The CDC said its concerns “highlight the need for further action prior to resuming passenger operations.”

The order covers ships that can carry 250 or more passengers. The CDC added that cruise ships are more crowded than most urban settings, and even when only essential crew remains on board, the virus continues to spread.

Companies that belong to an industry trade group, the Cruise Lines International Association, had already canceled cruises until September 15 because of ongoing discussions with federal officials over how to restart operations safely. Members of the group include Carnival Corp., Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

The trade group issued a statement saying it was committed to safety and would talk with CDC about appropriate steps to let cruises resume in the United States “when the time is right.”

"We have been in contact with the CDC. The panel has been in contact with the CDC," Royal Caribbean CEO Richard Fain said in an interview. "They're well aware of it and they have reacted warmly to it, so I'm actually quite positive that we're doing exactly what we should do" he added.

"And as soon as we can provide definitive proof that it is safe to go on a cruise, and that's what the panel's mission is, they'll be back," Norwegian CEO Frank Del Rio said last week.

Coronavirus infections are rising in 40 states, and daily deaths have climbed more than 20% from a week ago. Florida, where many cruises begin and end, reported nearly 14,000 new virus cases and set a single-day record of 156 deaths reported on Thursday, beating the previous high of 132 deaths reported Tuesday.