Case Study: Cruise Lines International Association achieves resumption of U.S. cruise operations with FiscalNote's VoterVoice

How CLIA Helped Bring Cruise Tourism Back to the United States with VoterVoice

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise trade group representing dozens of lines and tens of thousands of travel agents, faced an unprecedented shutdown of U.S. cruise operations in 2020–21 due to COVID-19. With vaccines rolling out but no clear federal plan for reopening, the industry — a $55 billion annual contributor to the U.S. economy supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs — needed clarity from the government and a way to push for a safe, timely return to sailing.

In March 2021 CLIA launched the “Ready, Set, Sail” campaign using VoterVoice to mobilize members and supporters to contact lawmakers with one-click messages. More than 47,000 advocates sent 155,000+ messages that reached every member of Congress, helping shift the dialogue with the CDC, prompt public statements from lawmakers, and secure CDC guidance; the first cruise resumed June 26, 2021 and over 100 ships have since returned to U.S. waters, with continued collaboration on health protocols and sustainability.

Cruise Lines International Association

Bari Golin-Blaugrund

Vice President of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs