Posted on 10/30/2020 11:01:11 AM PDT by Capt. Tom
Cruise News CDC Issues Framework for Conditional Sailing Order Until November 2021 The CDC has today announced that the No-Sail-Order will no longer be in effect from November 1, 2020. Instead, the CDC has announced a framework for a Conditional Sailing Order.
While the Industry anticipated the favorable decision, the move can still be described as surprising. Dr. Redfield, the Centres of disease control director, had stated last month he would prefer a No-Sail Order to be in effect until February at the least.
This decision comes after months of intense deliberations between the cruise lines, White House, and CDC. It will be a welcome message for the thousands of guests eagerly anticipating a return on board and the millions of people involved in the cruise industry.
New Conditional Order So here are the details from the CDC on the Conditional Sailing Order:
The expiration of the Secretary of Health and Human Services’ declaration that COVID-19 constitutes a public health emergency, The CDC Director rescinds or modifies the order based on specific public health or other considerations, or November 1, 2021.
Cruise Lines Pressure Pays Off The cruise lines, amongst which Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Lines, have been putting significant pressure on government officials and the CDC to allow sailing from U.S. ports as soon as possible.
This went as far as the White House when the cruise lines had a conference with Vice President Pence a few weeks ago.
No matter the circumstances, the cruise lines return will be a happy moment for thousands of guests as cruise bookings remain at the same level as last year for many lines, and in some cases, even higher. It looks like the public’s confidence in the cruise industry has been at a high level throughout the pandemic as most cruises scheduled for the end of the year and beyond are sold out.
Not only will the guests be happy to see cruising return. Crew members from various companies have been at home for some time, some up to six or seven months. These will now finally be able to return to their workplaces.
Crew members in various nations have been called up to be ready on a moment’s notice—a show of confidence from the cruise lines in their efforts to convince the CDC.
What Will Cruising Be Like? A return to cruising in the U.S. does not mean that everything is back to normal. The cruise lines have implemented extensive protocols and regulations which have, presumably, played a significant role in the decision from the CDC on the resumption of cruising.
Not only will the cruise lines be able to draw from the experience of cruising in Europe, but there is also the 74-step plan from the Healthy Sail Panel to implement.
Cruising in Europe has been reasonably successful for several months now. Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises, Hapag Lloyd, Seadream, TUI, and AIDA have all done cruises so far. These range from sea-escapes where the cruises consist of sea days only, to full-on port day voyages.
These voyages have been successful in avoiding any COVID outbreaks on-board by strictly implementing testing and sanitation protocols. Ships sailing from the U.S. will surely draw from this experience while also implementing the strict 74-steps the healthy sail panel recommends.
It remains to be seen what restrictions the CDC will require. However, it seems inevitable that the CDC will require additional measures on top of what the cruise lines have planned.
Past CDC No Sail Orders
The first No-Sail order was issued on March 14, 2020, which followed the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) voluntary suspension of operations. The CDC order was then extended for the first time on April 15, 2020, which was announced on April 9.
With no end to the global pandemic, the order was extended for the second time on July 16 through September 30, 2020. The finally on September 30 it was extended once again through October 31, 2020,
Hot of the press. -Tom
Appears to be as many, if not more, hoops to jump through than flying.
Sheesh.... just can’t help themselves with their over-the-top rules/regulations.
74 step process? Geeze, even alcoholics have less to go thru.
most cruises scheduled for the end of the year and beyond are sold out.
_______________________________________
Thats because the ships all have limited passenger capacity...50/60% full and theyre “full” in order to satisfy ‘social distancing’ in the public areas and dining rooms...
I suppose we can expect full body cavity searches after every port.
Because everyone knows the entire US government and Constitution died, and made the CDC defacto dictator over all living and dead things.
Man people... Get with the goose step! Oops, sorry... Get with the program.
Yes! I can finally get to work!!
Don't forget the cruise lines voluntarily put restrictions on themselves. Plus they get more restrictions from the CDC.
To read the 40 pages of CDC conditions click on the link below. -Tom
https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/CDC-Conditional-Sail-Order_10_30_2020-p.pdf
“74 step process“
You can bet if Trump wins that BS is out the window.
Even if the ships fill with passengers, where are they going to go? Right now, there aren’t many islands looking forward to ships dumping thousands of potentially infected Americans on their doorstep. The island economies are scraping bottom because tourism is nonexistent, but that hasn’t tempered the inner totalitarian of the leaders who control these islands.
I did some more reading on this latest CDC dictate and believe the CDC is trying to run the Cruise ships -or else.
It is a "My way or the Highway ' approach. -Tom
“I suppose we can expect full body cavity searches after every port.”
And to sign on the dotted line, “I acknowledge I can get Covid from this examination”.
Like my oral surgeon had me do a couple months ago.
Thanks for the link but not interested in reading this control freak BS.
Page 32 cruises cant be longer than 7 days...there goes my 8 day in Jan
7 day cruises to nowhere will be popular...
Alaska beckons .. Next September,, Under the Golden Gate and North go we.
It’s not like many cruisers haven’t already been subjected to worse treatment both onboard and ashore.
It appears quite a few have a built-up immunity after bouts with noroviruses and all inclusive liquor&beverage packages.
I think CDC officials should have a few cruises of their own if they already haven’t done so. The Arctic and Amazon itineraries come to mind as a good match for them.
Key Takeaways excerpt from Cruise Industry News Oct. 30,2020
Cruise lines will need to apply for a COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate from the CDC that is based on new health and safety protocols to mitigate the risks of COVID-19. The CDC can approve or deny any permit application, and also revoke it later.
Cruise operators will also need to run a series of simulated voyages prior to re-entering service. Simulated voyages will mimic a normal cruise experience and also include drills for potential outbreaks and positive COVID-19 cases aboard.
Cruise lines will need a host of new procedures, significant testing capability and response plans to deal with any possible scenario.
The CDC will reserve the right to determine passenger and crew capacity, itineraries, ports of call, onboard activities and just about everything else.
Cruises from the U.S. can be no longer than seven days. The CDC reserves the right to shorten cruises.
Cruise lines must screen passengers and crew before they embark. Crew will be tested on a weekly basis going forward.
Ships must conduct “laboratory testing” of all passengers and crew on embarkation and disembarkation in line with CDC guidelines.
Ships must maintain standards for hand washing, face covering, social distancing and other COVID-19 prevention matters, per the CDC guidelines.
Cruise operators must modify meal and entertainment services to maintain social distancing.
In the event of a positive case, cruise lines must disembark and transport guests and crew using non-commercial transportation.
Actually the Amazon is a very interesting place. I did a cruise there about 50 years ago, and really liked it.
Manaus is an interesting city in the middle of the jungle.-Tom
Our Trump 2020 Victory Cruise aboard the Celebrity Edge embarking on Dec. 6 looks good to go. Our ports will be San Juan, Tortola, and Philipsburg on St. Maartens. San Juan and Philipsburg are already open for tourists and Tortola will be open as of Dec. 1.
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