The return of the cruise industry faced many hurdles along the way to full recovery, which is expected to happen this year. The cruise lines and especially the crew has shown great resilience reinforcing their ongoing efforts to a full return to service. Last year was especially challenging for the crew facing many restrictions, quarantines, and requirements which affected the crew rotation and the length of contracts.

There's no doubt better and exciting times are ahead for the cruise industry as the cruise lines are hard at work to maintain the course of safe cruises for the crew and guests. To make sure that they are setting the expectations around some of those challenges that may impact the crew, several cruise lines have informed the shipboard employees that contract flexibility is required.

Given the travel and health protocols still in place, it is likely that crew contract lengths will be modified and potentially reduced or extended once the crew is onboard. While the contract upon sign-on will reflect the standard length for each position, they need to be aware that there might be extensions of up to 90 days. As the situation evolves crew sign-off dates will be adjusted accordingly. Any change reflecting the length of the crew contract remains at the sole discretion of the cruise line and there is no guarantee that individual contract will be adjusted.