CDC Updates Cruise Ship Guidance for Face Masks and Ports

Cruise Hive ^ | May 12, 2021 | Emrys Thakkar

[SJackson]

The CDC updates its guidance for wearing a mask and on ports for simulated and restricted voyages under the Conditional Sailing Order.

On the day when the CDC is up against the states of Florida, Alaska, and Texas on resuming cruise operations, the agency updates its rule for simulated and restricted cruises. As part of the latest update, vaccinated guests won’t have to wear a mask all the time and be allowed to explore the ports themselves.

It’s a U-turn from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, which previously had some “absurd” requirements, as stated by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO Frank Del Rio.

Cruise ships restarting operations out of the U.S. by mid-summer just became more of a reality with the CDC making some updates on its guidance on its requirements on the Conditional Sailing Order (CSO).

The new changes are focused on those guests who are fully vaccinated and sailing on simulated and restricted voyages under the CSO framework. There have been many concerns across the industry on the unworkable mask guidelines and now for vaccinated guests, it’s looking a lot more positive.

There are still requirements and guidance to follow, especially for those who are not fully vaccinated. It’s still required to wear a mask for an extended meal service or beverage consumption.

The CDC now says for fully vaccinated passengers, “Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that—if they are fully vaccinated—they may gather or conduct activities outdoors, including engaging in extended meal service or beverage consumption, without wearing a mask except in crowded settings.”

Even more good news for fully vaccinated guests as cruise lines can now decide if they can explorer the ports by themselves rather than only cruise line approved excursions and remaining only in the port area. Here’s what the CDC now says, “Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that—if they are fully vaccinated—they may engage in self-guided or independent exploration during port stops, if they wear a mask while indoors. The cruise ship operator is additionally advised that foreign jurisdictions may have their own requirements.”

However, it is still recommended to prohibit any self-guided or independent exploration. There are still requirements that cruise lines must follow including making sure that tour companies follow certain rules to keep guests protected.

The guidance, which was updated today, May 12, 2021, does mostly stay the same, but the CDC is more acceptable with the fact that there will be fully vaccinated cruisers onboard.

The CDC now says for fully vaccinated passengers, “Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that—if they are fully vaccinated—they may gather or conduct activities outdoors, including engaging in extended meal service or beverage consumption, without wearing a mask except in crowded settings.”

Even more good news for fully vaccinated guests as cruise lines can now decide if they can explorer the ports by themselves rather than only cruise line approved excursions and remaining only in the port area. Here’s what the CDC now says, “Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that—if they are fully vaccinated—they may engage in self-guided or independent exploration during port stops, if they wear a mask while indoors. The cruise ship operator is additionally advised that foreign jurisdictions may have their own requirements.”

However, it is still recommended to prohibit any self-guided or independent exploration. There are still requirements that cruise lines must follow including making sure that tour companies follow certain rules to keep guests protected.

The guidance, which was updated today, May 12, 2021, does mostly stay the same, but the CDC is more acceptable with the fact that there will be fully vaccinated cruisers onboard.

[SJackson]

I don’t recognize that term from previous guidance, but the CDC was going to require “test” cruises with volunteers so they could assess the results before approving opening cruising. Needless to say there were plenty of volunteers. Given the fact that most of the lines seem to be requiring vaccination, today’s CDC announcement about no masking for the vaccinated would seem to make the issue moot. But to the administration, killing jobs in FL, TX and Alaska is still a good thing, so who knows.