America's favorite cruise lines put a voluntary moratorium on cruising until at least November
The restart of cruising in North America has been pushed back until at least November.
The main trade group for the cruise industry, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), on Wednesday announced that all its members operating oceangoing ships would extend their suspension of cruises in U.S. waters until Oct. 31.
The announcement means another wave of cancellations is on the way from lines such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. The two brands have canceled sailings in North America through the end of September but still have trips on the books for October and beyond.
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Nearly every major cruise line in the world is a member of CLIA. Exceptions include Viking and several small-ship specialists such as UnCruise Adventures and Lindblad Expeditions.
CLIA cited the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in making the announcement.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a "no-sail" order for cruise ships in U.S. waters that is set to expire at the end of September. But many industry watchers expect the agency to extend the order in the coming weeks.
"This is a difficult decision as we recognize the crushing impact that this pandemic has had on our community and every other industry," CLIA said in a statement. "However, we believe this proactive action further demonstrates the cruise industry’s commitment to public health and willingness to voluntarily suspend operations in the interest of public health and safety."
CLIA said its member lines would continue to monitor the situation and would revisit a possible further extension of their pause to operations on or before Sept. 30.
"At the same time, should conditions in the U.S. change, and it becomes possible to consider short, modified sailings, we would consider an earlier restart," the association added.
The extended shutdown does not apply to small ships designed to carry fewer than 250 passengers and crew. Such vessels are exempt from the CDC's no-sail order.
Some major lines already had canceled all sailings through the end of October in advance of Friday's announcement from CLIA. Just a week ago, Norwegian Cruise Line and its sister brands, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, canceled all sailings through Oct. 31. The move came just a week after one of North America's biggest cruise operators, Princess Cruises, canceled most departures through mid-December.
Minutes after the CLIA announcement on Wednesday, cruise giant Carnival said it had canceled all sailings through the end of October.
Related: Why you shouldn't take a voucher for a canceled cruise
The industrywide decision to push back the restart of cruising in North America comes as some cruising resumes in Europe and other parts of the world where coronavirus case counts have fallen more steeply than in North America.
Several small European cruise operators including Hurtigruten and SeaDream Yacht Club have restarted sailings out of German and Norwegian ports in recent weeks. So has German cruise operator TUI Cruises. But some of the lines already are running into trouble. Hurtigruten and SeaDream in recent days both have had to cancel trips after passengers and crew on their ships tested posted for COVID-19.
One small U.S. cruise operator, UnCruise Adventures, resumed sailings in Alaska on Saturday with a single ship but ended the voyage early just three days later when a passenger tested positive for COVID-19. UnCruise has since canceled all remaining Alaska sailings for the year.
UnCruise Adventures was the first U.S. cruise operator to attempt a return to operations since cruise lines worldwide halted departures in March. The company operates very small, adventure-focused vessels that are exempt from the CDC “no-sail” order.
Additional resources for cruisers during the coronavirus outbreak:
- When will cruising resume? A line-by-line guide
- Why you shouldn't expect bargain-basement cruise deals anytime soon
- How to cancel or postpone a cruise due to coronavirus
- Expecting a refund for a canceled cruise? Here's how long it will take
- Some of the year's hottest new ships could be delayed
- Stream these 13 movies, television shows to get your cruise ship fix
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.