The UK boss of Silversea says cruises in the Caribbean could re-start by the end of this year if the American ‘no sail’ order expires tomorrow (October 31).
The cruise industry is waiting to find out if the ‘no sail’ order imposed on US cruise lines due to Covid-19 will be extended beyond October 31.
Speaking during an online Clia webinar, Peter Shanks (pictured), UK managing director of Silversea, said: “It is quite possible that we will see Caribbean cruises before the end of the year. I am sure it will start slowly as we have seen in Europe.”
Chris Hackney, managing director of Marella Cruises, said the cruise industry is closely monitoring the ‘no sail’ order made by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
“The UK government acknowledged it is speaking to different governments in Europe, as well as the US CDC,” he told the webinar, which was moderated by Travel Weekly editor-in-chief Lucy Huxley.
“If the ‘no sail’ order does expire – and there have been rumours that may be the case – then that can only be helpful with our conversations with the UK government, if Europe has already started and the US is showing signs of operations starting before the end of the year.”
Another key factor preventing Brits from cruising is the blanket ban imposed by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
But Shanks told the webinar: “I think it will go away in the coming weeks. It is outdated.”
If the travel advisory is lifted, that will add to consumers’ confidence and boost demand for bookings next year.
He said improvements in testing and technology, along with possible vaccines, could mean many more cruise lines sailing by next spring – and, as more destinations open their borders, cruise lines will follow.
“Two million Brits cruise each year, and one million are addicted – they are suffering withdrawal symptoms,” he said.
“When things improve and come back, there is a big opportunity for travel agents.
“There are millions of pounds of cruise credits and pent-up demand.”
He estimated about half of passengers took cash refunds when their cruises were cancelled this year but the other half were happy to take credit notes, often worth 125% of the original price.
It means many customers are able to afford better cabins than originally planned.
He also said the cost of testing and other protocols is unlikely to make a “material difference” to the cost of cruising.