In some breaking cruise news, the CDC drops its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships effective immediately.
This program went into effect back in February 2022. It provided instructions for cruise lines operating foreign-flagged cruise ships in U.S. waters following the expiration of the Conditional Sailing Order (CSO). This program was optional, but most major cruise lines voluntarily opted into the CDC’s protocols.
The program included recommendations for vaccination status, COVID testing, and cruise line response plans for onboard COVID cases.
CDC Drops COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships
In a statement issued on the CDC’s website today, the organization states, “As of July 18, 2022, CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships is no longer in effect and this page will no longer be updated. New guidance for cruise ships to mitigate and manage COVID-19 transmission will be available in the coming days.”
The CDC indicates that dropping this program is a result of cruise lines and passengers alike having all the necessary information. Since the resumption of cruising last year, the CDC has worked closely with the cruise lines and local health authorities to provide a safer and healthier environment for cruise passengers and crew. Cruise lines now have the guidance and tools needed to manage their own COVID mitigation protocols. Additionally, cruisers have access to recommendations to make their own informed decisions to cruise.
The CDC will continue to publish guidance to help cruise lines going forward. However, this will be more general guidance like it provides to other travel sectors. Now, the cruise lines will have the freedom to implement their own policies and procedures when it comes to cruising in this COVID era.
At this time, no cruise lines have made official statements regarding vaccination or testing requirements following this CDC announcement. Some cruise lines have begun dropping pre-cruise testing requirements for select destinations outside the U.S. already. Though, most are still sailing with 90% or greater vaccination status.
We are sure the cruise lines will provide statements, and possibly updated protocols, in the coming days. So, stay tuned for all the details.
Comments
What do you think of the news that the CDC drops its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships? Do you think the cruise lines will eliminate their mandatory protocols? Drop us an anchor below to share your reactions to this breaking cruise news.
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I will book a cruise today if restrictions are lifted. I have taken at least 20 cruises and would have taken at least six during the last two years but my cruising days will be over if there are restrictions. I will take my money somewhere else to travel.
Completely agree. The mRNA gene therapy shots are a complete waste of time- they do not protect against Covid nor stop transmission even though we were all told over and over they would… bunch of lies..… it’s egregious they still demand them throughout the cruise line industry. They will stop when more people finally wake up, get red-pilled, and stop complying with this nonsense and take our dollars elsewhere. Smartly and thankfully, Ireland and Mexico do not follow any of the ridiculousness, so that’s likely where we are headed with our many dollars.
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