CDC Shuts Down Its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships

The CDC is ending its program for cruise ships.

This was, at least in theory, a voluntary program, though cruise lines couldn't decline to opt-in, which replaced the CDC's previous Conditional Sailing Order back in February.

Cruise lines operating in the U.S. were required to strictly follow the COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships' guidance in order to prove they were following best practices.

The guidelines for passenger vaccinations, testing protocols, masking rules, and onboard isolation protocols were laid out.

From July 18th, the CDC will publish guidance to help cruise ships continue to provide a safer and healthier environment for passengers, crew and communities.

The CDC will give health and safety recommendations for the cruise industry in the same way it gives them for other travel sectors. The cruise sector is no longer a higher-risk mode of travel.

TheCLIA released a statement after the big news.

The Cruise Lines International Association and its member cruise lines are in favor of a set of guidelines for public health operations on cruise ships. We anticipate that the details will be posted on the CDC website in the near future. The CDC has established guidelines for other travel and entertainment sectors and this is a step in the right direction.

The effectiveness of the industry's protocols is demonstrated by the sunsetting of the CDC Program. In fact, cruising has become one of the safest forms of travel, and among the most successful industries, due to the fact that few passengers or crew become seriously ill or require hospitalization compared to landside patients.

John said that he was somewhat conflicted about the news. The days of the cruise lines being treated unfairly are probably over. Pre-cruise testing has been a source of anxiety for a lot of people.

He would like to have confidence that the cruise lines are doing everything they can to keep their guests safe. We are not out of the woods yet despite the fact that the Pandemic may have transitioned to a new phase. The vaccine mandate should continue for a while.

It's important to note that cruise lines haven't changed any of their COVID-related protocols just yet, so travelers shouldn't assume they can forgo pre-departure testing or vaccinations. Measures for controlling the disease's spread will now be up to the cruise companies.

There are some doubts about the wisdom of dropping the CDC's program completely. He said that he had paused with the cruise lines because of their history of not being as transparent. Customers have the right to know if or not they will be comfortable sailing.

The CDC wrote in the FAQ section of its website, "Cruise travelers have the option of contacting their cruise line directly regarding outbreak occurring on board their ship."

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