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1 1 (March 16, 2020)

handle is hein.crs/govciys0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Researh Sevice COVID-19 and the Cruise Ship Industry March 16, 2020 The cruise ship industry has been heavily impacted by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Major cruise lines have canceled trips from U.S. ports over the next month. In recent weeks, several cruise ships have been quarantined offshore and U.S government health officials have advised against cruise ship travel for the time being. These events have raised questions about government oversight over the cruise industry, the potential economic harm the coronavirus could have on the industry, and whether the industry is largely America- or foreign-based. Employment in the Cruise Ship Industry While most of the major cruise lines are incorporated or otherwise domiciled in foreign countries, they have headquarters in the United States, with office staff who handle advertising, sales, bookings, and vessel planning. According to federal government data, Miami has the largest contingent of workers employed by the cruise industry (North American Industry Classification System code 483112), with Los Angeles and Washington State as secondary centers of employment. In terms of number of cruise ship port calls in 2018, Florida was the leading state with over 3,000 port calls, followed by Alaska with nearly 2,000, and California with over 500. Puerto Rico also had over 500 cruise ship port calls, and the U.S. Virgin Islands nearly 500. Ship chandlers are another significant employer in port areas, as they supply navigation-related parts and equipment as well as food, beverages, linens, and other passenger-related supplies. Although U.S. nationals are employed in the onshore business segment of the cruise industry, in the offshore segment (aboard ships), foreign workers fill most positions. Almost all oceangoing cruise ships calling at U.S. ports are foreign-flagged, meaning they are registered in foreign countries, and particularly in open-registry countries such as Panama, Bermuda, Malta, the Bahamas, and the Marshall Islands. While US. law requires that passengers being transported from one U.S. point to another U.S. point be carried in only U.S.-built, -owned, and -crewed vessels, this law does not apply to cruise ship voyages that include foreign port calls or that embark and disembark passengers at the same dock. Plus, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are exempt from this law. Open registries allow cruise ships to crew and staff their vessels with citizens other than from the registering country, and these registries generally assess lower fees and taxes. The Philippines is a popular home country for many ship crews, particularly sailors, engine room mechanics, and hotel and food service workers. U.S. nationals are more likely to be hired as entertainers on ships catering to American passengers. A cruise ship with thousands of passengers can have a staff and crew of several hundred or more on board. Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN11245 CRS INSIGHT Prepaed for Membeivs and Cornm ittees o4 Cor~qress ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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