Cruise association decides to maintain season suspension

CLIA Brazilian Association of Cruise Ships reported on Thursday (Jan.13) that it has extended the voluntary suspension of operations in Brazilian ports until February 4.

The measure has been taken after Brazil’s national drug regulator Anvisa recommended on Wednesday (Jan. 12) the definitive suspension of the tourist cruise season in the country, due to the "exponential increase" in cases of COVID-19 on these vessels, especially among crews.

CLIA had already temporarily suspended operations after Anvisa’s recommendation on December 31, when MSC Splendida, moored at Santos Port in São Paulo state and Costa Diadema, moored in Salvador, Bahia state, interrupted their activities due to COVID-19 outbreaks on board.

According to CLIA, the decision to extend the temporary suspension, instead of a definitive interruption of the season, "is aimed at continuing discussions with the competent authorities in order to align the necessary measures for the resumption of cruises".

The cruise sector adopts stricter protocols than most other sectors, and it is the only one that continuously monitors, collects and reports cases of COVID-19 to competent bodies, CLIA statement reads. All crews and passengers must prove that they have been vaccinated and tested negative before boarding, the release states.

During the entire current cruise season, which began in November, 360,000 tourists were expected to disembark in Brazilian ports, bringing a financial turnover of around $ 308 million dollars.