Commenting on the call by US CDC to the public to avoid cruise ships, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) noted that this decision is “particularly perplexing.”
To remind, during December CDC called to avoid cruise travel because of Omicron variant spread. More specifically, CDC updated the COVID-19 Travel Health Notice level from Level 3 to Level 4, the highest level. This reflects increases in cases onboard cruise ships since identification of the Omicron variant.
DC has temporarily extended the Conditional Sailing Order (CSO) through January 15, 2022, with minor modifications. The CSO, as modified, applies to foreign-flagged cruise ships operating or seeking to operate in U.S. waters. U.S.-flagged cruise ships previously covered by the CSO may continue to participate voluntarily.
#1 Avoid cruise travel, regardless of vaccination status.
#2 If you travel on a cruise ship, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel and get a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose if you are eligible.
#3 People who go on a cruise should get tested 1–3 days before their trip and 3–5 days after their trip, regardless of vaccination status or symptoms.
#4 Along with testing, passengers who are not fully vaccinated should self-quarantine for a full 5 days after cruise travel.
#5 People on cruise ships should wear a mask to keep their nose and mouth covered when in shared spaces.
Answering to this decision, CLIA said that it is perplexed as:
Cases identified on cruise ships consistently make up a very slim minority of the total population onboard—far fewer than on land—and the majority of those cases are asymptomatic or mild in nature, posing little to no burden on medical resources onboard or onshore
CLIA also added that cruise ships “offer a highly controlled environment with science-backed measures, known testing and vaccination levels far above other venues or modes of transportation and travel, and significantly lower incidence rates than land.”
While we are disappointed and disagree with the decision to single out the cruise industry, CLIA and our ocean-going cruise line members remain committed to working collaboratively with the CDC in the interest of public health and safety
CLIA concluded.
In addition to the US, Brazilian national health agency Anvisa also called the public to avoid cruise ships for at least the beginning of 2022.
