U.S. Cruise Ships Are Preparing To Open Their Doors to Passengers by Mid this July

As per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, soon cruise lines complying with their requirements may begin sailing again. Many cruise line companies have already announced that they will sail with fully vaccinated passengers. A letter released by CDC gives a complete outline of mandatory guidelines to follow along with a prospective date when cruise lines will start sailing from the U.S. port this summer. The services are expected to resume by mid-July. The passengers need to be fully vaccinated, and the cruise lines need to ensure the same.

CDC Guidelines Has To Be Strictly Followed

The last order by CDC came in October, but cruise lines are waiting for further orders since then. The first lot of cruises leaving the U.S. Port will show if the CDC guidelines are being adhered to and comply with all laid down standards. It is a test that will show if the COVID-19 spread onboard can be mitigated.

“The CDC released a letter that outlines guidance, along with a potential restart date for cruises departing from U.S ports this summer. Cruise lines still need to establish additional safety measures before sailing with passengers is permitted to resume. Major mandatory changes will take place with such procedures as boarding, dining, entertainment, sanitation, ventilation, and quarantine.”[1]

CDC Announced Five Clarifications To A Sailing Order That Was Issued In April:

1. As per the orders, cruises can bypass simulated test voyages that were required earlier and directly go on with the passengers who have paid for the sail if 98 percent of the crew and 95 percent of passengers are completely vaccinated.
2. The applications given by cruise lines for simulated voyages will be reviewed and responded to by CDC in 60 days.
3. The quarantine and testing requirements would be updated for the crew and passengers on cruise lines sailing with paying passengers to ensure alignment with the guidance of CDC for fully vaccinated people.
4. A further clarification by CDC states that cruise line operators may get into a multi-port agreement than a single port agreement provided all local and port authorities are in agreement.
5. There is also a clarification regarding quarantine guidelines for passengers or crew who may have been exposed to COVID-19. Air travel passengers may quarantine in hotels while local passengers may be able to drive home.

COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate

Although summer is about to arrive and CDC is all set to restart cruise operations from the U.S. Ports, there are multiple factors in play, and things may change accordingly. Moreover, it also does not suggest uplifting restrictions on cruise lines. Every ship wishing to set sail has to get a COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate from the CDC. Things are promising, but it is too soon to be excited about this news.

RESOURCES:

[1] https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/us-world/2021-05-03/updated-cdc-order-brings-cruises-one-step-closer-to-resuming

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