The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave the cruise industry a Friday, February 18 deadline to opt into the program.
The voluntary program requires the industry to report the vaccination status of crew and passengers on each ship so that the results can be tracked on a public dashboard. The CDC wants to know how cruise lines will deal with people who test positive for the virus on a voyage.
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The opt-in deadline was made easier this week when the CDC changed its health warning against cruise travel from Level 4 to Level 3.
Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Group had previously announced their participation in the voluntary program, but most cruise lines made announcements on February 18.
Carnival Cruise Line told passengers that masks will be recommended but not required. Children under the age of five years old will not be included in the calculation of vaccinations for the cruise line, so they will not be required to sail.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said that the restart of guest operations was a success because of the support of their guests, the commitment of their shipboard team, and the effective protocols they have put in place. As we continue to protect the public health of our guests, crew and the communities we visit, our protocols will evolve.
Beginning on March 1st, Princess Cruise Line will opt in, with the same recommendations regarding masks and other protocols.
John Padgett, President, Princess Cruises said in a press release that Princess has proven cruise vacations are safe and healthy.
Both Holland America and Seabourn issued statements on Friday, with the same wording, thanking multiple government agencies as well as the support of Alaska officials and other delegations.
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