Maureen Hayes

Maureen Hayes is the Director of Maritime Policy at the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in Washington, D.C., where she leads global technical and regulatory strategies for the cruise industry. In this role, she engages with senior officials, maritime administrations, and international organizations to help shape policies that enable sustainable, safe, secure, and efficient cruise operations.

Her responsibilities include representing the global cruise industry at the highest levels and advocating for policies that align with environmental, security, public health, facilitation, and operational priorities. She leads delegations at international meetings and collaborates closely with cruise lines, industry associations, and regulators to align strategies and drive industry progress.

Before joining CLIA in September 2023, Maureen worked as an Environmental Officer onboard cruise ships, managing shipboard environmental programs and regulatory compliance while sailing across multiple global regions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Legal Studies from Bucknell University and a Master’s of Professional Science in Marine Affairs and Policy from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.