Cruise ships trickle back to Los Angeles in preparation for future restartCruise ships trickle back to Los Angeles in preparation for future restart

When that will happen is still likely months away as ships are only in the initial phases of working to comply with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's framework for conditional sailing.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles County is now a leading hot spot in the United States' COVID-19 outbreak, according to news reports. 

The port continues to monitor the cruise situation, working with the CDC, the US Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, California Department of Public Health, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and other emergency and public health agencies.

Princess, HAL, NCL ships

Princess Cruises, Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Line ships began arriving in the past week and are periodically docking at the Los Angeles Cruise Terminal for fuel, food, supplies and/or services. 

All three brands have suspended cruises through March. 

The port said it is expecting more than two dozen cruise ship calls through early February.

Nearly $100m in lost economic activity during 2020

In 2020, Los Angeles chalked up 93 cruise cancellations — more than 70% of the total scheduled — due to the pandemic.

According to the port, each cruise call contributes about $1m to local businesses and the economy. So losing those 93 calls amounted to nearly $100m in lost economic activity on the Los Angeles waterfront.