"This is an important step forward in the CDC aligning the guidelines for cruise with those it has established for other travel, hospitality, and entertainment sectors." Some cruise lines change requirementsįollowing the end of the CDC program, Azamara announced it will drop its COVID-19 embarkation testing rule on July 25, "excluding ports where it is still required in accordance with country regulations," according to a Tuesday news release. With the relaxation of travel requirements around the world, were thrilled to welcome all guests back on our ships to cruise freely to the places theyve.
"We look forward to reviewing the details, which we understand will be posted on the CDC website in the coming days," she continued. The change comes as capacity and occupancy levels on ships have ramped back up, more than two years after the pandemic shut the industry down.Ĭruise Lines International Association, the industry's largest trade organization, welcomed the end of the program "in favor of a set of guidelines for public health operations on cruise ships," spokesperson Anne Madison told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. The legal case might now be moot, but the economic anxieties remain, particularly for Alaska, which is seeking a waiver to federal laws requiring foreign-flagged cruise ships (i.e., most of them) to call at a foreign port on every itinerary-a requirement that would prevent most large ship operations to Alaska until Canadian ports reopen to cruise ships in early 2022.The CDC said on its website that it will keep giving testing recommendations for cruise ship operators, and that vessels will keep reporting cases to the agency. But many of those jobs were either furloughed or eliminated due to the halt in operations, meaning the industry could be facing a staffing shortage in certain locations where it sails.Īlaska has made it clear that the loss in cruise sailings effectively wiped out last year's tourism season, and both Florida and Alaska-respectively the largest and fifth largest benefactors of cruise industry dollars-filed suit against the CDC for a more expedient return. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) estimates that in 2019 the cruise industry contributed $9 billion in direct spend in Florida alone, generating just under 160,000 jobs-both at multiple cruise lines headquartered in the state, and in support industries. But in that time, there's no ignoring how much of an effect the halt in operations had on port communities and the economy at large-an ongoing issue that will continue to impact when and how we cruise. Like many other travel sectors, the cruise industry is poised for a strong comeback based on pent-up demand and untapped travel budgets carried over from 2020-prior to the pandemic, it was set to be a record year for guests taking cruises. In addition to following specific cruise line requirements, it’s also vital that guests review the vaccination and testing requirements for entering the country from which they're departing if they’re traveling to a cruise that sails outside the U.S. It's important to read and reach out to the cruise line directly when booking a sailing, to be sure you're meeting all of their protocols in order to sail. Some cruise lines will allow unvaccinated children to sail with a negative PCR test, while others will not allow any unvaccinated passengers regardless of age. There may also be fewer children onboard sailings this summer, as vaccines are not yet approved for children under 16. The guidelines also allow vaccinated passengers to present results from faster, cheaper antigen tests prior to boarding instead of the more involved PCR test, although individual cruise lines may elect to impose more stringent requirements. Vaccinations and testing are essentialĪ key part of the CDC’s updated guidelines allows cruise lines to forego the onerous simulated voyages and lengthy notification periods that had been part of the original order-on the condition that they meet the requirements that virtually all passengers and crew on each sailing are fully vaccinated (many cruise lines have already created their own vaccination requirements). American Cruise Lines, Victory Cruise Lines, and American Queen Steamboat Company, for example, have rolled out more sailings on the Mississippi River, and added itineraries sailing the Great Lakes, Pacific Northwest, and East Coast for travelers who want to explore waterways closer to home.
Meanwhile, small ships that have still been able to operate have opened up a new era of interest in sailing U.S.
Other countries that have reopened to (vaccinated and/or COVID-tested) international visitors that also allow cruising include Iceland, Mexico, and French Polynesia.
Norwegian and Celebrity are taking a similar approach with Mediterranean sailings this summer, sticking close to Greece, Turkey, and Croatia-all of which have easier entry requirements for international visitors.
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