Just hours after it released new guidance on vaccinated travel today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the next phase of technical guidance under its Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO) for cruising, which was originally released in October 2020 and replaced its previous No Sail Order.
According to a statement from the CDC, the newest phase will provide technical instructions on the following:
- “Increase from weekly to daily the reporting frequency of COVID-19 cases and illnesses.
- Implement routine testing of all crew based on each ship’s color status.
- Update the color-coding system used to classify ships’ status with respect to COVID-19.
- Decrease the time needed for a 'red' ship to become 'green' from 28 to 14 days based on the availability of onboard testing, routine screening testing protocols and daily reporting.
- Create planning materials for agreements that port authorities and local health authorities must approve to ensure cruise lines have the necessary infrastructure in place to manage an outbreak of COVID-19 on their ships to include healthcare capacity and housing to isolate infected people and quarantine those who are exposed.
- Establish a plan and timeline for vaccination of crew and port personnel.”
The next phase includes simulated trial voyages where crew members and port personnel will have the opportunity to practice new COVID-19 procedures with volunteer passengers.
What this new guidance doesn’t offer, however, is a complete timeline for when cruise ships will be allowed to operate with paying passengers.
“CDC is committed to working with the cruise industry and seaport partners to resume cruising when it is safe to do so, following the phased approach outlined in the CSO,” according to the agency’s statement. “COVID-19 vaccination efforts will be critical in the safe resumption of passenger operations. As more people are fully vaccinated, the phased approach allows CDC to incorporate these advancements into planning for the resumption of cruise ship travel when it is safe to do so. CDC recommends that all eligible port personnel and travelers (passengers and crew) get a COVID-19 vaccine when one is available to them.”
As the pandemic evolves, the CDC will continue to update its guidance and recommendations.
Suzy Schreiner, owner of Azure Blue Vacations, says she is “cautiously optimistic” about the announcement, but says she has no doubt that this news will “stimulate a surge in cruise bookings as travelers feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
“I have plenty of clients who are ready to set sail now, and are eagerly awaiting announcements as to when they can start packing for their cruises,” she said. “As for me, I'm making my vaccine appointment this week so that I can be ready for when volunteers are called to sail.”
The Details
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
www.cdc.gov
