The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its safety recommendations for cruise ship travelers who are not fully vaccinated.
Key Information for cruise ship travelers who are not fully vaccinated
- CDC recommends that people who are not fully vaccinated avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide. Since the virus spreads more easily between people in close quarters aboard ships, the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high. It is especially important that people who are not fully vaccinated with an increased risk of severe illness avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises.
- Cruise passengers who are not fully vaccinated are more likely to get COVID-19, which spreads person-to-person, and outbreaks of COVID-19 have been reported on cruise ships.
- People who decide to go on a cruise should get tested 1–3 days before their trip and 3–5 days after their trip.
- In addition to testing, passengers who are not fully vaccinated should self-quarantine for 7 days after cruise travel, even if they test negative. If they do not get tested, they should self-quarantine for 10 days after cruise travel.
What can travelers do to protect themselves and others?
- Do not board a cruise ship if you have symptoms of COVID-19, if you know you have COVID-19, if you were exposed to a person with COVID-19 in the past 14 days, or you are waiting for results of a COVID-19 viral test.
- If you are considering cruise travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, discuss this type of travel with your healthcare provider. Older adults and people of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at more likely to get severely ill if they get COVID-19.
If you go on a cruise during the COVID-19 pandemic:
Before you travel:
- Get fully vaccinated against COVID-19.People are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after a single dose in a one-dose series or 2 weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series.
- Get tested with a COVID-19 viral test 1–3 days before your departure, even if you are fully vaccinated.If you test positive, isolate and do NOT travel.
- Get travel insurance. Make sure you have a plan to get care overseas, in case you need it. Consider buying additional insurance that covers health care and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas.
While you are traveling:
- Stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you. It’s important to do this everywhere—both indoors and outdoors—if you are not fully vaccinated.
- Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are in shared spaces. Masks are required (even for fully vaccinated people) on planes, cruise ships, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports, seaports, and train and subway stations. If a conveyance has outdoor areas, wearing a mask is not required while outdoors.
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
- Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19, stay in your cabin, and notify the onboard medical center immediately.