According to CDC, the COVID-19 pandemic has reached every vessel in the actively-operating U.S. cruise fleet.
As a matter of fact, 97 out of the 110 cruise ships that the agency keeps track of, have reported COVID-19 cases on board within the past week, including every ship listed in a passenger-carrying voyage statu.
The majority of passengers and crew are fully vaccinated before boarding, and most of those who test positive experience no symptoms or light symptoms.
The 13 ships that have not reported any COVID cases recently are all in “crew-only” voyage status.
Taking into consideration the spread of the omicron variant, the CDC advised the public to avoid cruise ships.
The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships, and the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is very high, even if you are fully vaccinated and have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose
CDC warned.
As a result, several cruise ships have changed their itineraries because of the COVID-driven disruption on board. However, the majority of the U.S.-based industry continues to operate largely as before under the rules of the CDC’s Conditional Sailing Order (CSO).
That order has now been extended until January 15, but it will expire shortly.
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.
Does not recommend the embarkation of passengers who have trips scheduled on cruise ships for the next few days. This recommendation takes into account the rapid change in the epidemiological scenario, the risk to the health of passengers and the unpredictability of operations at this time
Anvisa stated.
