‘Cruises to nowhere’ no more from 2016
New US regulations have been issued that come into force next year outlawing cruises on foreign flagged ships that do not stop at a foreign port.
The new law has sparked a spate of itinerary changes by major cruise lines such as Carnival and Norwegian.
The so-called cruises to nowhere typically involved short one or two night sailings that remain at sea in international waters before returning to the same port.
These often involved themed sailings such as party cruises and were popular as a taster for new cruisers.
Cruise lines have responded quickly and canceled all of their cruises to nowhere that were scheduled to sail next year.
This includes several two night cruises on the Norwegian Breakaway out of New York and sailings out of Norfolk, Va., on Carnival Sunshine.
"While itinerary decisions are made by individual cruise lines, beginning in 2016, in compliance with U.S laws and regulations, foreign-flagged cruise lines operating out of U.S. ports are not to offer cruises for sale that do not include a call in a foreign port," a statement from the Cruise Lines International Association said.
The change is necessary due to procedures used to screen ships in and out of the United States.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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