The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the entire world to a standstill, and the cruise industry has been one of the hardest-hit sectors. As the virus began spreading rapidly across the globe, many cruise ships found themselves in a difficult situation – with passengers and crew members testing positive for COVID-19 onboard.
So, how many cruise ships are still at sea? The answer is not as straightforward as you might think.
According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), there were approximately 270 ocean-going cruise ships in service around the world before the pandemic hit. However, as countries started closing their borders and ports, many of these ships were forced to suspend their operations.
As of now, it’s estimated that around 50-60 cruise ships are still at sea. These are mostly vessels that were unable to dock due to quarantine restrictions imposed by various countries. Some of these ships have been stranded for weeks or even months, with passengers and crew members stuck onboard.
The situation has been particularly challenging for crew members who have been unable to return home due to travel restrictions. Many of them have been working tirelessly to ensure that passengers onboard are safe and comfortable during these difficult times.
Several cruise lines have been working closely with authorities to get their ships back home safely. For instance, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd announced that it had repatriated over 20,000 crew members from its fleet since mid-April 2020.
It’s worth noting that not all cruise ships have faced the same fate during this pandemic. Some vessels have successfully managed to disembark passengers and crew members and returned home safely without any major incident.
In conclusion, while there are still some cruise ships at sea due to COVID-19 restrictions, many others have managed to navigate these difficult times successfully. It remains unclear when the industry will be able to fully resume operations again but with proper measures in place we can hope for a safer future for all.
Summary
- The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the cruise industry hard.
- Approximately 270 ocean-going cruise ships were in service before the pandemic.
- 50-60 cruise ships are still at sea due to quarantine restrictions imposed by various countries.
- Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd has repatriated over 20,000 crew members from its fleet since mid-April 2020.
- Some vessels have managed to disembark passengers and crew members and returned home safely without any major incident.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to the cruise industry. With several ships still at sea, it’s clear that there is a long road ahead before things return to normal. However, with proper measures in place, we can hope for a safer future for all.