About the Cruise Lines International Association
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the preeminent cruise trade association, providing a unified voice for the industry and its members as the leading authority of the global cruise community.
Cruise Advocacy, Sustainability, Innovation
CLIA represents a diverse and influential cruise industry, including ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines, maritime leaders, ports, destinations, shipyards, and travel professionals. As the leading trade association, CLIA advocates for safe, sustainable cruise operations, supports tourism strategies that benefit communities, and promotes innovation toward net-zero emissions by 2050. With a global presence, CLIA provides resources, expertise, and policy leadership to protect and promote the industry's responsible growth.
About
CLIA represents a dynamic and influential industry that encompasses:
- The world’s most prestigious ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines
- An expansive group of maritime leaders who provide technical expertise, products, and services to the cruise sector
- Leading ports, destinations, shipyards;
- The largest network of travel professionals specializing in cruise travel
As the leading trade association for the cruise industry, we play a vital role in ensuring our members have the resources and support needed for success, allowing us to both protect and promote the industry's ability to operate responsibly.
In collaboration with our members and partners, CLIA advocates for:
- Policies and practices that ensure safe, healthy, and sustainable cruise operations
- Tourism strategies that enhance the socio-economic benefits of cruise travel
- Advanced technologies and innovations that drive progress toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050
CLIA’s global headquarters are in Washington, DC, with regional offices located in North and South America, Europe, the UK and Ireland, and Australasia.
CLIA’s Mission
Our mission is to foster our members’ success and to protect and promote the industry’s license to operate responsibly.
CLIA’s Vision
Our vision is for the cruise industry to be recognized as a leader in responsible travel and the best way to see the world.
Our Strategic Pillars
Lead the Way as a Force for Good with industry-leading maritime policies, practices, and innovations designed to protect the health and well-being of passengers, crew, the waters on which we sail, and the destinations we visit.
Demonstrate Our Global Commitment and Local Focus with industrywide and industry-led initiatives to build and maximize awareness, credibility, and the positive impact of the industry’s investments and advancements in sustainable and responsible tourism.
Leverage the Power of Partnerships with integrated advocacy, communications, and marketing to amplify the strength of our voice in pursuit of policy and business outcomes that deliver value to our members and the wider cruise community.
Build and Maintain Long-term Financial Strength with a commitment to building high-performance teams and integrated systems and platforms that help us optimize our resources in support of our members’ success.
Five Focus Areas
These are CLIA’s five areas of focus that encompass legislation, reputation, and regulation
- While cruise travel represents only a fraction of the global tourism market, the cruise industry is a leader in responsible tourism and is committed to the highest standards of destination stewardship - supporting local economies and fostering respect for local populations, environments and cultures.
- Cruise tourism is managed tourism. It is planned and scheduled well in advance, so it provides a lot of opportunities to work with local communities. We want to explore the untapped potential of coastal tourism across Europe.
More About Destination Stewardship
- CLIA ocean-going cruise lines are sailing to a better future – pursuing fuel flexibility by investing today in engine technologies with conversion capabilities for the future.
- Reducing emissions while at berth and at sea
- Investing in advanced environmental technologies onboard
- Partnering with cities and ports on sustainable destination management
More About Environmental Sustainability
- The cruise industry is a global employer committed to the well-being of our workforce and preparing the next generation with skills for the future. This industry is recruiting, training, developing a strong and diversified workforce and a career that provides the opportunities and career paths that both attract and retain the best of the best.
More About Workforce Development
- CLIA cruise lines go to great lengths to support the health and safety of all onboard. From cleaning practices to passenger screening and robust oversight over onboard health and safety practices, the cruise industry is one of the most vigilant industries as it relates to safety, sanitation and public health protocols.
More About Health & Safety
- The cruise industry is a vital artery for national economies and contributes to the economic well-being of host communities. Our members pursue commercial opportunities for local businesses, and, where feasible, ship locally and sustainably at ports of embarkation and ports of call.
More About Economic & Social Impact
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is a cruise line trade association. It merged with International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) in 2006, forming an expanded organization incorporating the existing functions of both organizations. The merged organization, which uses the CLIA name, is located in Washington, D.C.