After the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention ended its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships final week, cruise traces have introduced adjustments to their well being and security protocols.
The CDC issued new COVID-19 guidance for cruise ships on July 20, with up to date well being and security suggestions. The company stated cruise traces ought to contemplate mandating viral assessments for vacationers near departure, and “extremely” beneficial testing inside at some point of embarkation.
Nonetheless, some traces have dropped these guidelines. Here is what passengers can count on.
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How are the principles for vacationers altering on cruise ships?
► Royal Caribbean Group will drop its testing requirement for vaccinated passengers on some voyages, the corporate stated Thursday. Starting on August 8, testing will probably be solely be required for vaccinated visitors on sailings which can be six or extra nights, and will probably be required for unvaccinated visitors on all journeys in response to a news release.
President and CEO Jason Liberty advised USA TODAY that “someday within the subsequent 30 to 45 days” the corporate additionally expects to drop the testing rule for vaccinated passengers on longer voyages, the place native necessities enable.
“We’re extremely targeted on ensuring that our visitors and our crew are protected and wholesome always,” he stated, and famous that the corporate will proceed to function “extremely vaccinated” sailings.
Liberty added that Royal Caribbean Group will monitor the state of affairs and “modify protocols as wanted.”
► Virgin Voyages stated final week it might drop its pre-embarkation testing rule.
“Virgin Voyages has responded instantly to the CDC’s choice to discontinue their voluntary COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships and can mirror the remainder of the journey business in eradicating pre-embarkation testing for sailings from July 24 on EU sailings, and from July 27 on US sailings,” the cruise line stated in a information launch.
Vaccine necessities will stay in place, however the cruise line stated it “is presently evaluating this coverage and can announce additional updates within the close to future.” Virgin may even enable 10% of passengers to be unvaccinated on U.S. sailings, and vacationers can contact Sailor Services about reserving.
► Azamara introduced final week that it might drop its COVID-19 embarkation testing rule on July 25, “excluding ports the place it’s nonetheless required in accordance with nation rules,” the corporate stated in a information launch. The road will nonetheless require proof of vaccination.
► Margaritaville at Sea additionally stated it might scrap its pre-embarkation testing requirement for vaccinated passengers as of July 23, in response to a press launch. The cruise line recommends these visitors nonetheless take a look at previous to departure.
What occurred to the CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships?
The CDC introduced that this system ended July 18 on its website, saying in a Often Requested Questions part that vessels “have entry to steering and instruments to handle their very own COVID-19 mitigation applications.”
The company added that although “cruising poses some danger of COVID-19 transmission, CDC will proceed to publish steering to assist cruise ships proceed to offer a safer and more healthy surroundings for crew, passengers, and communities going ahead.”
Ships will nonetheless report circumstances to the CDC, the company stated.
Earlier this yr, the CDC moved to a voluntary COVID-19 program for cruise ships. People who participated agreed to comply with the company’s suggestions on well being and security protocols like testing and vaccination.
The change comes as cruise journey is returning to normal greater than two years after the pandemic introduced the business to a halt.
How can passengers find out about outbreaks on cruise ships?
The CDC has discontinued the cruise ship coloration standing web page on its web site, however the company stated within the Often Requested Questions part that clients can attain out to cruise traces about outbreaks on their ship.
