Posted on 10/25/2020 8:10:25 AM PDT by Capt. Tom
While the cruise industry awaited a decision on the No-Sail-Order to be issued, the CDC now recommends that travelers defer all cruise travel worldwide.
The decision from the CDC to issue this advice is surprising, to say the least. It will undoubtedly shock the cruise industry, which has been making positive noises in the last weeks about sailing to take place this year.
Whether the advice is a precursor to extending the No-Sail-Order remains to be seen, but seems much more likely.
What is the CDC saying The CDC has essentially heightened its travel advice from level two to level three: Avoid Nonessential Travel—Widespread Ongoing Transmission. In its travel advice, the CDC says that cruise passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person infection, and outbreaks of COVID-19 have been reported on several cruise ships.
It has further stated that the CDC usually doesn’t give travel advice on specific modes of transport but has chosen to single out the cruise industry specifically in this case:
“CDC typically posts travel health notices for countries and other international destinations, not transportation, such as ships. Because of the unprecedented nature of the novel coronavirus pandemic, and the increased risk of transmission of COVID-19 on cruise ships, the U.S. government is advising U.S. travelers to defer all cruise travel.”
The CDC’s advice only covers U.S. travelers going on cruises. The CDC has no say whatsoever on anyone taking or organizing a cruise in other parts of the World.
Is the CDC targetting the Cruise Industry in particular? The CDC has made it a regular item now that cruise ships are targetted as potential super-spreaders of the disease, while conclusive evidence seems to be lacking entirely:
“Recent reports of COVID-19 on cruises highlight the risk of infections to cruise passengers and crew. Like many other viruses, COVID-19 appears to spread more easily between people in close quarters aboard ships and boats. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, there remains a risk of infected passengers and crew on board cruise ships.”
Cruise lines that have been operating in Europe over the last few months have been successful in keeping the virus away. Only two instances have been known onboard ships in Europe, Costa cruises had eight infections, and TUI Cruises had a possible infection which turned out to be negative.
Currently in sailing in Europe are TUI (Mein Schiff), Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd, Seadream, and AIDA.
With constant testing being done on all these vessels and sailing proven to be safe, it is unclear why the CDC would say that cruise ships are a source of increased transmission risk.
Also Read: Cruise Lines Need to Be Strict Once Sailings Resume from the U.S.
What about the No-Sail-Order? The advice issued by the CDC could very well be taken as a sign of worse to come. Director Redfield has been vocal about wanting to extend the No-Sail-Order to February at a minimum.
Only due to the White House reputedly blocking that decision was the order shortened to a one month period.
It seems that the CDC is now setting up a move that would stop cruising all together, and well into the new year. Several financial analysts have already been warning investors that cruises from the U.S. would probably not start until March at the earliest. Not only that, but the CDC has now gotten support from the State Department also to include cruising as a no-go way of traveling.
What this advise will do for the cruise lines remains to be seen, that its big news with significant implications for a struggling industry seems clear.
We have discussed this on many FR threads but time is now running out for a sink or swim solution as far a chapter 11 bankruptcies for Cruise line are concerned.
Would you Freepers with booked cruises please keep us posted. -Tom
If Congress did its job and passed WuFlu liability for biz large and small, including the cruise industry, that would solve a lot of the problem.
And I’m so po’ed at Deep State right now that I, who never had any intention of ever setting foot on a cruise ship (noro reasons, not WufLu), am going to dang well book one as soon cruising starts up again.
This thread is about our CDC and how they can force some of the big Cruise; lines into Chapter 11 bankruptcies , IMHO. -Tom
I recall at the beginning of this debacle that Lord Fauci proclaimed that people who want to go on cruises SHOULD go on cruises, especially young people.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/douggollan/2020/03/09/fauci-says-cruising-is-ok-if-you-are-healthy/
Speaking at a White House press conference tonight to provide updates on the COVID-19 Coronavirus situation, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), told reporters if you are healthy, there is no reason to eschew cruise vacations.
On a cruise ship there are tons of open air spaces.
After having done 36 cruises (7+ days each) I can say I always come back healthier due to all that opportunity to walk and use the gyms with spectacular views of the ocean.
On a long flight, you are breathing recirculated air.
But CDC has no problem with flights but wants cruises to stop?
My thought is that the CDC is dragging their feet on this to oppose anything opening up for the cruise lines until after the election.
Trump wants it to open so they are not budging.
The virus is real, but the reactions to it are still insane. Because of political reasons.
I want my country back. (note: I’ve never taken a cruise, not planning to take one.)
We have a cruise booked for Feb and one booked for June!!!
The insanity will continue until herd immunity is reached. Whether by vaccine or exposure. The immune system can kill it so it’s just a matter of time. Keep your eye on the death rate. When it dwindles to zero it’s over.
We are booked for January and September
As far as I’m concerned the CDC is just another liberal government propaganda machine....I’m guessing if there was a lot of rioting going on against Trump they would be all in!!!!
I am looking at a cruise sailing from Barbados in Feb-March.
The death rate is below one percent is my understanding!!!
“It seems that the CDC is now setting up a move that would stop cruising all together”
Of course they are. As one of the lib alphabet agencies, they’re on board with the Green New Deal. That will bring to a halt every “gas guzzler” industry in the country. Cruising is OVER, Baby.
If it spreads..let it spread ! This isn’t pre pandemic where the goal was to prevent it from becoming a pandemic. It’s already everywhere. Secondly, if European liners can successfully prevent outbreaks, what makes the CDC think US liners won’t be able to ?
“But CDC has no problem with flights but wants cruises to stop?”
Oh, they do have a problem with gas-guzzling aircraft. They’ve already succeeded in decimating air travel. It’s just a matter of time before only the politically elite will be given permission to fly. Give ‘em time; they’re working on it. Green New Deal.
The CDC are a bunch of leftist drama queens.
Is the CDC only focused on older people who may have preexisting conditions?
Correction. I meant to say NOT apply to the USN.
I had a cruise booked for January but Norwegian cancelled, likely because the embarkation country is not allowing US passengers in and there’s no word on when they would. I haven’t rebooked. I have no plans to at this point.
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