When the longshoremen intend to close down the ports, anyone who has a cruise planned should be concerned.
While cruise ships leave from docks different from the ones used to unload freight, cruise ships are serviced and stocked by working members of the International Longshoremen's Association.
After extended attempts to reach a deal, the ILA for months had been threatening an Oct. 1 strike and that deadline has been reached.
Related: What a longshoremen strike means for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and other cruise lines
"The International Longshoremen’s Association shut down all ports from Maine to Texas at 12:01 am on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, as tens of thousands of ILA rank-and-file members began setting up picket lines at waterfront facilities up and down the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts," the labor union said.
"The ILA rejected United States Maritime Alliance final proposal made on Monday, setting the stage for the first ILA coastwide strike in almost 50 years."
West Coast ports are unaffected as a deal has been reached covering that part of the country. In the case of the East Coast ports, the dispute is over wages and protections against automation.
“USMX brought on this strike when they decided to hold firm to foreign-owned Ocean Carriers earning billion-dollar profits at United States ports, but not compensate the American ILA longshore workers who perform the labor that brings them their wealth,” said ILA President Harold Daggett.
“We are prepared to fight as long as necessary, to stay out on strike for whatever period of time it takes, to get the wages and protections against automation our ILA members deserve."
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Image source: Matthew Frankel/Come Cruise With Me
What does this mean for cruises?
Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald used his Facebook page to calm his cruise line's passengers. He did so in his unique style.
"OK, here is one of those cryptic posts from me where I can’t say anything, but will try and say something," he wrote.
That's an ominous beginning, but Heald's post made clear he wanted to answer the question but was not fully allowed to do so.
"Over 500 of you have asked me individually about something that is supposedly going to be happening where people will not be working and are threatening to do something that you do when you light a match against the side of a matchbook. Or something that you get when you are throwing a ball at some pins," he wrote.
That's not exactly a tricky puzzle. He's clearly talking about the strike.
"Your question has been will what is or isn’t going to affect the Cruises this coming weekend? The answer is no, it won’t," he posted. "Thank you, and if anybody does not understand this, please phone a friend."
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Cruise passengers don't need to worry
The ILA has also said that cruise lines won't be affected by the strike.
"ILA Longshore workers will continue to work Passenger Cruise vessels at all ILA ports, to not inconvenience the tens of thousands of Americans who have booked trips in advance," he said.
"We understand that many families plan and pay for cruise vacations on passenger ships more than a year out, and we don’t want them to be disappointed or inconvenienced in any way.”
While many of the responses to Heald's post seemed confused by his not-very cryptic wording, many people appreciated him sharing the info.
"I appreciate the candor and the answer as even I was curious about this one," wrote Shawn Caccia. "Honestly, I know it will effect our economy and that can't be helped but I also want to make sure I don't have to cross a line of 'people' when I want to board the ship for my vacation. Thank you for the reassurance."
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Others were less optimistic.
"It might not affect the cruise line, but this will def affect the American people if it lasts too long," added Erica Starks. "If the price of goods increases and things become scarce, some folks might not be able to afford to pay for a cruise. let's just pray they come to a resolution ASAP."
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