Taking a cruise is the ultimate, all-inclusive vacation – it offers lodging, multiple beachside getaways, and an unbelievable, never ending spread of culinary delights!
Of course, there are a few caveats when hundreds of people gather in an enclosed space for an extended period of time, especially when there’s a virus going around.
The fear brought on by the coronavirus pandemic has not only stunted the cruise industry, it’s practically destroyed it.
How did this happen?
The decline most notably began after the story of the Diamond Princess cruise ship spread through the media like wildfire.
Passengers aboard the vessel were quarantined inside for weeks against their will with rationed food and water, and no access to fresh air!
Nearly 4,000 passengers were scarred for life from ever setting sail on the high seas again – and understandably so!
The nightmare not only tainted the once-beloved form of travel, but it wrecked the cruise industry in ways that it may never recover from.
Now, over a year later, hundreds of ships sit docked all around the world, abandoned and forgotten.
Will we be able to take a cruise this summer?
The short answer is probably not.
Last year on March 13, 2020, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a “no-sail order” for all ships hoping to enter American waters, according to CNN.
Soon after, Cruise Lines International Association made the decision to halt all cruise traffic, leading to a chaotic scramble to get all passengers and crew members back home as expeditiously as possible.
But this was not an easy feat and hundreds of people found themselves stranded at sea as countries refused to allow ships to dock in fear of bringing the coronavirus across their borders.
And the cruise industry has not been the same since.
While a few ships have tried to jumpstart the demand for cruises, it’s failed miserably.
And even though the CDC did lift their “no-sail” order back in October, the new guidelines set in place by the government make it extremely difficult to embark in compliance.
It also doesn’t help that the CDC still recommends no one set foot on a cruise ship whatsoever.
Thus, much of the industry’s major players have cancelled their cruises for the upcoming summer this year – although, if you just so happen to live in the EU’s Schengen zone and want to travel to Italy by cruise, you can book with Costa Cruises this summer… but chances are you don’t.
The good news is many popular beaches and tropical destinations are open and ready for you to come soak up some sun.
So just because the government is trying to restrict which form of travel you use, it doesn’t mean they can take away the memories once you get there.
