| CLIA Chairman urges cruise dialogue

CRUISE Lines International Association (CLIA) Global Chair Adam Goldstein is optimistic some form of cruising can resume around the world in the coming months, but has warned it is unrealistic to expect a “full restart at the snap of a finger”.

Speaking to Cruise Weekly from the United States yesterday, Goldstein (pictured) said CLIA was working closely with its members to come up with an industry-wide plan for a return, saying it wasn’t clear at this stage whether the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention would deal with individual cruise lines or with the sector as a whole.

“Either way we will support our members to the best of our abilities,” he said.

CLIA is working around the world to engage with governments and other authorities, with some success in Europe where cruising is starting to resume on a limited basis in Germany and Norway.

“This isn’t cruising as we know it – in some cases they are just cruises to nowhere, with only one nationality on board, but at least it’s a start,” he said.

Despite the challenges he said the global cruise industry was used to dealing with health issues, with ships representing a controlled environment, and many people on board whose sole job is to ensure cleanliness.

However the situation in Australia and NZ remains unclear, with Goldstein hoping lines of communication about a possible restart can be expanded.

“We’ve been able to engage with some countries more easily with others,” he admitted, saying the industry wanted to gain some certainty about the conditions required to assure officials and the cruising public that it is safe to resume operations.

“We want to resurrect this industry because of the massive economic benefits, including the participation of endless small businesses such as travel agents, tour operators and suppliers.

“We are determined and resilient, and we will find a way of resuming cruising across the globe,” he promised.