HAL suspends sales of long US cruises

HOLLAND America Line (HAL) has overnight announced the temporary suspension of sales for all cruises eight days and longer which call in a US port and depart before 01 Nov 2021.

The company said it was responding to the recently released Framework for Conditional Sailing from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (CW 01 Nov).

Holland America Line said it was seeking additional clarification to fully understand the requirements under the framework, and had implemented the stop-sell while it awaited further information.

Under the CDC’s 40-page Conditional Sail Order, there are a range of minimum standards including a stipulation that “the cruise ship operator must not sail or offer to sail on an itinerary longer than 7 days”.

“CDC may shorten or lengthen the number of days permitted to sail based on public health considerations and as set forth in technical instructions or orders,” the document notes.

Other conditions require cruise lines to notify prospective passengers prior to accepting a reservation of any CDC travel advisory, warning or recommendation relating to cruise travel.

Operators must also conduct testing, make regular reports to the CDC, meet standards for hand hygiene, face coverings and social distancing, and modify meal service and entertainment venues to facilitate social distancing.

Currently HAL’s global pause of operations is in place for all departures through until 31 Dec 2020, but passengers affected by the new suspension of sales are being asked for patience while the cruise line clarifies whether their voyage is impacted.