摘要: |
The cruise industry was on a strong growth trajectory for the past few years before cruise ships became the epitome of viral transmission. In early 2020, with limited knowledge about the novel coronavirus, a number of COVID-19 cases were traced back to stays on the floating hotels. Before the pandemic, the industry had already earned a badge of shame standing accused of polluting the air of port cities, now it was made responsible for carrying COVID-19 into the world. Ports refused to let ships with cases on board call, and crews were not allowed to disembark to fly home, which left the industry faced repatriating nearly 100,000 crew hailing from 100 countries. Although the industry voluntarily suspended operations, its image took a dip and leaders initiated damage control. A whole season was canceled and, to the outside world, not much else was seen of the cruise industry in the year that followed, with travel coming to a halt. |