The risk is down, and the masks are off.
At least that’s the message coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the cruise industry at large. Shortly after dropping its risk assessment for cruise travel from “Level 4: Very High” to “Level 3: High,” the government agency has reduced it again on March 14 to “Level 2: Moderate.”
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s decision to lower the Travel Health Notice for cruise ships from Level 3 to Level 2 recognizes current public health conditions, as well as the robust mitigation measures in place on cruise ships,” read a statement from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
"We look forward to the Travel Health Notice being removed for cruise ships as soon as possible, and for cruising to be recognized as setting a high bar for providing a vacation choice with comprehensive set of science-backed protocols that span the entirety of the cruise experience,” the statement continued.
We look forward to the Travel Health Notice being removed for cruise ships as soon as possible, and for cruising to be recognized as setting a high bar for providing a vacation choice with comprehensive set of science-backed protocols that span the entirety of the cruise experience.
On March 18, the CDC has also modified its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships to be more lenient. The guidance now permits interactive experiences such as galley tours and cooking classes. Further, close contacts of a positive case of COVID-19 who are identified within 36 hours before disembarkation can quarantine in their own cabin — provided they are the only occupant.
Port agreements have also been modified such that ship and capacity limits have been removed.
Cruise Lines Drop the Mask Requirement
What’s more, cruise lines themselves have continued to ease coronavirus protocols. Following the bulk of other brands to do so, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, UnCruise Adventures, Viking Cruises and Windstar Cruises have dropped or will soon drop their face covering requirements, at least in most instances.
Cunard and Disney will continue to mandate them in theaters for the time being.
Some of these lines are also reducing their vaccination and testing measures. On sailings departing on or after April 1 (also its date for removing masks), Viking will no longer require boosters, saying they will only be strongly recommended, while maintaining its up-to-daily testing. Inversely, UnCruise is still requiring full vaccination and boosters for those who are eligible, but is doing away with its need for negative pre-cruise testing.
Do You Still Need to Be Vaccinated to Cruise?
It’s all a sign that measures are getting lighter as the severity of the pandemic wanes.
In fact, during a recent briefing presented by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.,Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and chairman of the SailSafe Global Heath & Wellness Council, predicted a time when vaccinations may cease being a condition to cruise.
He anticipates a possible re-evaluation by U.S. public health officials by spring 2023 following another fall and winter flu and coronavirus season. If COVID-19 is then deemed endemic, vaccinations may become voluntary, like masks, to sail.
The Details
Cruise Lines International Association
