The Maritime Commission will soon consider reimbursements for cruise lines, Sola says

The delta variant is fueling a resurgence of Covid-19 infections in the United States, just as the cruise line industry is stepping up operations after months of being out of the game.

While travel bookings next year have been solid, the industry knows conditions can deteriorate rapidly, leading to the possibility of canceling trips.

At least one cruise line has reported that bookings for short-term travel have softened as coronavirus cases have increased. And that was before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned on Friday that people at risk groups for Covid-19 complications should avoid taking cruises, regardless of their vaccination status. The new CDC guide followed virus outbreaks on recent trips.

Federal Maritime Commissioner Louis Sola sat down with CNBC last week to discuss his investigation into the search for 30 data on cruise industry cancellation policies during the pandemic. Sola launched the investigation in August 2020 in an effort to amend FMC regulations regarding the underperformance of cruise lines and refunds for canceled trips.

In his proposal, Sola suggested that if navigation is canceled or passenger embarkation is delayed for more than 24 hours for any reason other than a government order or declaration, a full refund must be paid within the 60 days after the passenger’s return request. If navigation is delayed or canceled by a government order statement, a full refund must be paid within 180 days.

The exclusive interview also addressed other issues, including Covid security protocols.

CNBC: The cruise industry is sailing again and your research on cruise line policies on trips canceled during the pandemic should be exhausted. When will we see more information about the cruise line performance and refund process? When will we see an update on this?

alone: We should probably receive an update earlier this week. All cruise lines had a different policy, so we wanted to create a standardized system as had been done with the airline industry. I hope this update comes out soon.

Once published, the public will have 60 days to comment on the proposal. The committee will then consider the comments, adjust the language if necessary and finally vote. It is important to note that each vote on the fact-finding 30 has been unanimous. I am grateful to take the initiative in this research.

CNBC: Of all the cruise states, Alaska suffered the most per capita damage. How successful has the state been since you published your report in the spring? This is money that will never be recovered.

alone: We are seeing a loss of $ 3.3 billion in revenue and more than $ 1 billion paid in unemployment during the pandemic. Local and state governments are estimated to have suffered $ 55 million in lost taxes.

When I visited Alaska, I went to the union house, where they were sweeping the floor. Florida’s loss was the largest in numerical terms, but no state per capita suffered more damage than Alaska.

I don’t think people realize the impact that the loss of unpaid wages, unsold goods, services not provided, taxes uncollected had. When we stopped sailing, it was a logistical and economic nightmare. One billion unemployment for a state with only 700,000 residents is alarming.

CNBC: We’re seeing more delta virus outbreaks on cruises like Carnival Cruise, on 27 vaccinated people tested positive. In a recent interview, Norway Cruise Line Holdings CEO Frank Del Rio said the increase in the delta variant is affecting customer confidence and leading to the cancellation of some. How does the cruise industry ensure that the public cruise is safe?

alone: True, we are experiencing occasional cases of advance aboard the ship. One boat, as you pointed out, recently had 27 people vaccinated who tested positive. But the ship was, and we are, prepared for such contingencies.

The most important thing we have is the agreement between the cruise industry and the health workers. We have a plan. What we are seeing here is to establish the immunity of the flock on a boat, the process works properly.

We also have an established plan if we have a serious condition. We now have the option to remove this person from the boat immediately. It was a catastrophe during the early days of the pandemic where we kept these passengers on ships.

We have similar health and safety protocols from the Cruise Lines International Association and Passenger Ship Association. Both were very helpful in the early stages of the 30s.

A couple of cruise lines have gone beyond these measures. As an industry, they have a good level of consumption overall. The number one measure we demand is 95% of the ship’s passengers who are vaccinated. Herd immunity is key.

I feel so much safer on a cruise than flying. I’m not playing flying, but you’re interacting with more people in unknown vaccination status at an airport. Breathe in recycled air in very close areas.

CNBC: What about Disney Cruise ship? They have a targeted passenger population that cannot be vaccinated due to their age. How do they achieve herd immunity?

alone: This is a concern they are trying to address. They have a market segment that makes it difficult. But [Disney] has some experience in this area gained from its theme park operations. They may reduce the number of people on board to get more vaccinated to get the herd immunity.

CNBC: You have stated your distribution of surplus vaccines to seafarers and neighboring Caribbean and Bahamas cruise ports. How are things progressing?

alone: I wrote two letters to the president [Joe] Biden on this important subject. I also went directly to the governors of Florida, Texas and Alaska and they have given surplus vaccines. We are working with the consuls general of the embassies of the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas. We have seen some difficulties in getting vaccines due to HHS requirements, but these vaccines reach sailors.

CNBC: There has been a recent indecent of Royal Caribbean passengers could not get into a boat because they were not vaccinated. Is it the passenger’s responsibility to go to the cruise line website to see the requirements?

alone: It is up to the consumer to know the Covid policies of each cruise line. It is very important for them to realize that 99% of cruise traffic is international and all countries have their own vaccination protocols. It depends on the criterion of the foreign destination if they want to vaccinate passengers and crew before arriving in their country. Cruise lines are very good at explaining your requirements. It’s like when you walk into an airline’s website. They have also posted their requirements. This should be considered as part of the boarding process.

CNBC: CDC also has one color code system monitor the condition of a ship. There is a lot of information for consumers.

alone: We live in an information age and have found the color coding system very useful. We have been using this color coding system for the last 18 months. The industry is doing what it can to ensure health safety awareness.

Simply put, if you get sick and get vaccinated, the symptoms should be mild. If you are not vaccinated, you will get proper care.

Responding to the sick was the problem at the beginning of the pandemic for the cruise industry. The industry now has a detailed plan. As a nation, we must coexist with Covid in all aspects of life. Being prepared is key to that.