I bet that is part of the CDCs motivation.
Paying thousands of dollars to have a mask cruise will discourage some cruisers.
The CDC has some more cards ,like vaccination requirements, and a PRESS ready to jump in on a covid infection onboard. -Tom
As I see it The CDC has no say in international waters. I think common sense will Prevail. People will agree with some things which will fall away once the ship is under way. In other words people will have an “ok fine if that’s what it takes to get the cruises going fine” attitude. The point about the press circling like vultures waiting/ hoping for a COVID case to pop up is a given. The cruise lines must be prepared for it. Having another ship filled with passengers who cannot leave the ship will destroy cruising.