Members of Cruise Lines International Association (Clia) will continue the voluntary suspension of ocean cruise operations in the US until December 31, 2020.
The cruise lines will spend the rest of this year preparing to implement Covid-19 measures in partnership with public health experts and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings have already said they will suspend sailings until 2021.
A statement from Clia said: “As we continue to plan for a gradual and highly-controlled return of cruise operations in the US, Clia members are committed to implementing stringent measures to address Covid-19 safety, including 100% testing of passengers and crew, expanded onboard medical capabilities, and trial sailings, among many others.
“We share a common goal with the US CDC to protect public health, which has been affirmed and reaffirmed consistently throughout the industry’s response to the global pandemic.”
The statement said almost 1,000 American jobs have been lost each day because of the pause in cruising since mid-March, adding: “It is estimated that the suspension of cruise operations has resulted in a loss of more than $25 billion in economic activity and over 164,000 American jobs.”
More: Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean brands extend US cruise suspensions
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings delays return until 2021
Clia gives guarded welcome to lifting of US No Sail Order
US authorities give ‘conditional’ permission for cruise resumption
Last Friday, the US authorities paved the way for cruise ships to resume sailing in American waters but have yet to confirm when paying passengers will be allowed onboard.
The CDC issued a ‘Framework for Conditional Sailing Order’, which outlined a “phased approach for the safe and responsible resumption for passenger cruises”.
This allows test sailings to demonstrate the effectiveness of Covid-19 prevention measures and compliance with CDC measures.
The US ‘no sail’ order expired on Saturday (October 31).