Leading up to last week’s deadline to opt in or out of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) new voluntary COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, it was uncertain which direction cruise lines would take. As originally proposed, the program was criticized by cruise advocates and did not align with the intended future protocols of individual corporations and brands.
But then the CDC downgraded its Level 4 warning against cruising to Level 3, the first sign of a mutual agreement emerging on the horizon.
“The decision by the CDC to lower the Travel Health Notice threat level for cruise ships is a step in the right direction and recognizes the leadership and effectiveness of the cruise sector’s health and safety protocols that are unmatched by virtually any other commercial setting,” read a statement from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
What Is a Highly Vaccinated Cruise?
By the time the Feb. 18 deadline for the voluntary program rolled around, the CDC had made such significant modifications to its program for cruise ships that 111 cruise ships from all major brands have opted in. Furthermore, most have chosen to adhere to the government agency’s “Highly Vaccinated” category, meaning ships sailing with at least 95% passengers and 95% crew who are fully vaccinated, though not necessarily up to date with their vaccines.
This tier now permits cruise lines to operate their ships mask-free for both guests and crew anywhere onboard, indoors and outdoors. As previously presented, the program only allowed going without face coverings on those ships designated “Vaccination Standard of Excellence” (SOE), requiring at least 95% of passengers and 95% of crew to be fully inoculated and up to date with their vaccines.
Looking closely at the CDC’s Cruise Ship Status Dashboard, it is footnoted that there are three ships sailing in and out of U.S. ports that intend to follow the stricter SOE guidance: Azamara’s Azamara Quest and Viking’s Viking Orion and Viking Sea. This trio of ships already requires (or will require) its guests to be fully vaccinated, as well as boosted. The remainder appear to all be targeting “Highly Vaccinated” status.
Will Cruises Go Maskless?
The new distinction gives the green light to Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Virgin Voyages to go maskless now or by March as previously intended.
Like corporate cousin Celebrity, Royal Caribbean International’s president and CEO, Michael Bayley, has indicated his brand will also make masks optional for all fully vaccinated guests on Feb. 25. However, they are still expected for unvaccinated children for the time being.
Similarly, Carnival Corporation’s Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line have announced their shared plan to continue meeting the standard of vaccinated cruises and make masks onboard recommended but not required come March 1. (There may be certain venues and events where face masks are still mandated.) Carnival also indicated that some additional flexibility in pre-cruise testing requirements will become available.
Major cruise lines that have yet to detail any new face covering or testing requirements include Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Viking.
