Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) warned today that a possible mid-summer restart from US ports could be at risk.
“Given the lead time it takes to get a ship up and the need for an acceptable and definitive agreement with the CDC, a possible mid-summer restart from US ports could be jeopardized,” the company said in a statement.
Frank Del Rio, NCLH CEO, told analysts during the line’s earnings call Thursday that a July restart from the US “just isn’t possible” as it takes about 90 days for a ship to get up.
Del Rio said a July restart was possible as early as early April when he personally asked the CDC to lift the restart Conditional sails order (CSO) and allow NCLH to resume sailing July 4th and promise to require full vaccination of all guests and crew on restart.
He said the CDC’s recent “willingness to engage in constructive dialogue with the industry has shown that it is determined to work with us to find an acceptable way forward, and we are certainly on today a better place than 30 days ago. ” . ”
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Del Rio noted that its three cruise brands in multiple countries in Europe and the Caribbean have restart plans while waiting to be launched from its home base in the United States
“Our team is working on the recently issued and amended technical guidance that requires additional clarification on how the inclusion of vaccine requirements will affect conditional sail ordering and our way forward,” said Del Rio, adding, “at first sight this appears The way forward is a bit rockier and a bit steeper than originally expected. “
The comments came hours after the CDC released updated guidelines for cruise ships to conduct simulated test trips with volunteer passengers as part of its Covid-19 CSO application, reiterating that their “goal is to see passenger operations expected to resume in the United States by the time.” at midsummer, as expressed by many major cruise lines and travelers. “
“With the issuance of these documents, cruise lines now have all the necessary requirements and recommendations to start simulated voyages before they can resume restricted passenger voyages,” the CDC said in a statement.
Frank Del Rio
NCLH reiterated its assertion that its sailing schedule is “in line with the CDC’s updated travel guidelines for a fully vaccinated on-board population” in addition to its other multi-layered health and safety protocols which, according to the NCLH, “go well beyond the protocols of” the voyage , Leisure and hospitality industries, all of which have reopened. “
“The company firmly believes that by requiring mandatory vaccinations for all guests and crew on first voyages, as well as comprehensive prevention protocols, the plan goes beyond the CDC’s CSO intent and would expedite the cruise resumption path while the CDC reallocates could enable resources for competing public health priorities, “said NCLH.
UPDATED: This report was updated at 3:30 pm on Thursday and includes statements from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ call for profit.
