The US CDC lowered the health warning level for cruises dropping its recommendation for all travelers to avoid cruises as part of its regular updates to its COVID-19 travel recommendations.
The move recognizes the reduced number of cases on cruises comes as the CDC continues to have 137 countries listed as Level 4 Very High Risk including updates for countries including French Polynesia and South Korea on February 14.
The decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to lower the Travel Health Notice threat level for cruise ships is a step in the right direction
stated Cruise Lines International Association highlighting the effectiveness of the cruise sector’s health and safety protocols.
On December 30, CDC had raised the cruise industry to Level 4 advising all travelers to avoid cruise ships, saying that:
The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters onboard ships, and the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high, even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines
Now, updated data from the CDC as part of its color-coding system for the cruise ships shows a similar decline in cases on board as to what is being experienced in parts of the United States.
The CDC, however, continues to urge all travelers to be fully vaccinated before going on a cruise and use masks in indoor spaces.
They are also recommending passengers to be tested after returning home to make sure they are not positive for the virus before resuming normal daily activities.
The health protocols for the cruise ships and the CDC’s voluntary program are also set to evolve again as of the end of this week. In fact4, cruise ships have until February 18 to inform the CDC is they will be participating in the programs.
As of February 22, the CDC will begin officially flagging cruise ships that are not participating and reporting data on cases although the chart with the color-coding already indicates which cruise ships have not informed the CDC of their decision.
