Cruises could resume in U.S. waters by mid-summer, the CDC said in a letter to the cruise industry. “We recognize that cruising will never be a zero-risk activity and that the goal of the phased approach in the Conditional Sailing Order is to resume passenger operations in a manner that mitigates the risk of COVID-19 transmission onboard cruise ships and in port communities,” wrote Aimee Treffiletti, chief of the CDC’s Maritime COVID-19 Response Unit.
Spokesperson Caitlin Shockey commented, “Cruise ships could begin sailing with passengers from the United States as early as mid-July, depending on the pace at which cruise lines comply with the CDC’s Conditional Sailing Order Framework.” She added, “The CDC looks forward to continuing to work with the industry and urges cruise lines to submit their Phase 2A port agreements as soon as possible to maintain the schedule for passenger sailings by mid-July.”.
Bari Golin-Blaugrund, Vice President of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs at the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), said in a statement that the industry is encouraged by the CDC's communication: “Our technical experts are currently reviewing the information and its implications, but we are optimistic that these clarifications show positive progress, as well as a commitment to dialogue, which is key to resuming cruising, as we have seen with other governments and health authorities around the world.”.
Although the CDC outlined a possible resumption date for cruises departing from U.S. ports this summer, that doesn't mean cruise restrictions will be lifted. The CDC offered clarifications to its guidelines based on industry feedback and is still waiting for cruise lines to meet its requirements before they can resume sailing.
“The timeline for resuming sailing depends on the pace of cruise operators and compliance with the Conditional Sailing Order,” Shockey said. “Ships with a vaccination certificate will be able to avoid mock voyages, accelerating the timeline.”.
Based on industry feedback, the CDC has introduced five clarifications in its additional guidelines published on April 2 to allow for the resumption of cruising:
- Ships will be able to forgo the required simulated test voyages with volunteers and proceed to voyages with paying passengers if 98% of the crew and 95% of the passengers are fully vaccinated.
- The CDC will review and respond to cruise lines' requests for simulated voyages within five days, a review that was previously expected to take 60 days.
- The CDC will update its testing and quarantine requirements for passengers and crew on paying cruise ships to align with CDC guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals. For example, instead of undergoing a PCR test before boarding, vaccinated passengers will be able to take a rapid antigen test upon boarding.
- The CDC has clarified that cruise operators can enter into a “multiport agreement” instead of a single-port agreement, provided that all port and local authorities sign the agreement.
- The CDC has clarified quarantine guidelines for passengers who may have been exposed to or contracted COVID-19. For example, local passengers will be able to return home by car, and passengers who have traveled by plane for a cruise will be able to quarantine in a hotel.
“We are hopeful that the CDC’s most recent letter is a harbinger of more good things to come,” said Frank Del Rio, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Richard Fain also welcomed the news: “The CDC has notified us of some clarifications and expansions to its Conditional Sailing Order,” adding, “They have addressed many points constructively, taking into account recent advances in vaccines and medical science. While this is only one part of a very complex process, we are encouraged to now see a path toward a safe and achievable return to service.”
