Cruise lines announced, this week, that they would not restart cruises from the United States until at least September 15, 2020, due to the continuing COVID pandemic, marking a huge blow for Cozumel.

The island economy largely depends on cruise tourism but has seen empty piers with no ships since mid-March when cruise lines first cancelled trips due to corona virus. This has had a catastrophic affect on local employment and incomes.

Please support Food Aid Cozumel to help those worse affected

Businesses have begun to re-open in Cozumel and the island has received the "Safe Travels" stamp, meaning some tourists have started to return to hotels and vacation rentals already, but they represent a very small number compared with the millions that usually arrive every year on cruise ships.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said, "The current No Sail Order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will expire on 24 July, and although we had hoped that cruise activity could resume as soon as possible after that date, it is increasingly clear that more time will be needed to resolve barriers to resumption in the United States."

Islanders are tough and will continue to offer smiles and great service to other tourists that can visit in the meantime, but the worse off really are struggling. Demand for food parcels to feed island families continues to increase, so please support and share our Food Aid Cozumel campaign to help the families most in need.

Please support Food Aid Cozumel to help those worse affected