How Has Covid Affected The Cruise Industry?

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the cruise industry, which was once the fastest-growing sector of the travel industry. The outbreak led to anxious waits for passengers and employees to disembark and return home, impacting both onboard and onshore. The cruise industry was capital-intensive and dependent on supply chain, employees, and economies.

The pandemic caused a 15-month shutdown for the cruise industry, but ships are now fully back in business with COVID-19 protocols in place. Several coronavirus cases have been identified on cruise ships since U.S. operations resumed in June, including six passengers who tested positive on Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas. Cruise tourism was severely affected by COVID-19 outbreaks on several cruises early in the pandemic, such as Ito, Hanaoka, and Kawasaki.

The cruise industry suffered its biggest financial blow in decades when most sailings were halted for months and made nervous cruise fans. The loss of revenue within the travel, tourism, and cruise line industry has been one of the biggest consequences of the pandemic. Cruising has become one of the safest forms of travel and among the most successful industries in mitigating the spread and severity of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a 15% decline in business, partly due to people canceling and not booking. This is a big setback for the plans to continue operating the industry. As of mid-March 2020, ships have resumed activity, but the industry continues to face challenges and disruptions.