The Conditional Sailing Order (CSO), originally issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially expired on Jan. 15, 2022.
However, it is not expected that the cruise industry will dramatically modify its health protocols — at least not right away.
When the CSO expired, a voluntary COVID-19 safety program took its place. According to the CDC, “cruise lines are encouraged to continue to follow all CDC public health measures, including reporting, testing and infection prevention and control. More information about CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships will be released soon.”
Even before the transition to the risk mitigation program, lines departing from Florida were exempt from the CSO, but they maintained health measures, nonetheless. Plus, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. — consisting of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises — was the first to opt in to the new phase of the program.
“The health and safety of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our No. 1 priority,” said Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, in a press release.
He highlighted the company’s commitment to implementing protocols that exceed regulatory agency requirements since resuming service in July 2021. These have included 100% vaccination of passengers and crew, universal testing of all guests before embarkation and routine COVID-19 testing for staff.
Our adoption of the voluntary program provides guests, crew, travel partners and other stakeholders with the assurance that our brands will continue to meet and exceed the provisions laid out by the CDC.
"Furthering our commitment to health and safety, with the expiration of the CDC’s Conditional Sail Order, our three brands have opted into the CDC’s voluntary program, which provides the cruise industry with a set of operating provisions to protect the health and safety of guests and crew,” Del Rio said. “Our adoption of the voluntary program provides guests, crew, travel partners and other stakeholders with the assurance that our brands will continue to meet and exceed the provisions laid out by the CDC and provide unparalleled health and safety protocols not found in any other sector of the travel and leisure space.”
More Cruise Lines Address COVID-19 Protocols
While not expressly opting into the CDC program, several Carnival Corporation brands have also recommitted to their current protocols.
Carnival Cruise Line has said it will continue operating vaccinated voyages, with pre-embarkation testing. It will also implement indoor mask requirements until further notice. The brand also plans to begin using VeriFLY — a solution widely utilized by the airline industry — so guests embarking in the U.S. can upload their proof of vaccination and testing confirmation before boarding. The process is being piloted at Port Canaveral, Fla. before rolling out to the remainder of the fleet. Carnival is also working on expanding its in-terminal testing option, especially for short three- and four-day departures.
Meanwhile, Carnival’s Holland America Line has also extended its vaccine mandate (with boosters encouraged) and testing requirements, as well as the use of masks indoors.
“We want our guests to feel confident when they book a cruise,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “We’ve seen so much excitement from guests who have cruised with us since our return. We want everyone who is looking forward to that next adventure to feel comfortable making those plans, and our ‘Worry-Free Promise’ offers that comfort.”
Corporate cousin Princess Cruises has said the same regarding operating vaccinated cruises.
Which Other Cruise Lines Will Follow Current CDC Guidelines?
When asked if she expects others to follow Norwegian’s explicit adherence to the CDC program, Paula Twidale, senior vice president of travel for AAA, said that opting into the CDC’s new voluntary program reassures travelers that cruise lines are committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment for their guests.
“It is very likely we will see other cruise lines opting into the voluntary program,” she said. “I believe cruise lines will continue to do what is necessary to protect crews and passengers, which they have consistently shown is their top priority.”
It is very likely we will see other cruise lines opting into the voluntary program.
As to when clients can expect any easing of protocols, the first indicator will be the CDC lifting its current Level 4 warning against all international cruise travel. It was raised to the government agency’s highest tier in response to increased cases of the Omicron variant on ships shortly before the CSO expired — a stance many industry insiders vehemently disagree with.
“While we welcome the expiration of the CDC's Conditional Sailing Order, its decision to continue elevated travel health notices is nonsensical,” said Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) at the Fitur trade fair in Madrid, Spain.
“The cruise industry has proven time and again that its enhanced health and safety protocols consistently achieve significantly lower rates of COVID-19 occurrence than onshore,” she added. “WTTC calls upon the CDC to stop singling out the cruise industry with harmful and unnecessary measures. Cruise lines have an excellent record for health and safety, and cruising continues to offer extraordinary travel experiences.”
There is light at the end of the tunnel, though. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and chairman of the SailSafe Global Health & Wellness Council, has predicted that Omicron numbers will soon fall as precipitously as they rose. Combined with vaccine boosters specific to the latest variants and new oral therapeutics, he believes much more normalcy is on the horizon for 2022.
