CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has unveiled new coronavirus guidelines for the cruise industry, allowing cruise lines to operate under different tiers based on the vaccination status of passengers and crew as part of a voluntary program.
And those tiers could change how long passengers are recommended to quarantine after exposure to the coronavirus.
In its updated guidelines Feb. 9, the CDC maintained it’s best to “avoid” cruise travel — and cautioned people should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if they can’t resist a vacation on the high seas.
Cruise lines have until Feb. 18 to opt into the COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, which separates ships into three vaccination status tiers. They are:
—“Not highly vaccinated” ships, meaning less than 95% of passengers and less than 95% of crew are fully vaccinated.
—“Highly vaccinated” ships, meaning at least 95% of passengers and 95% of crew are fully vaccinated, but less than 95% of passengers and 95% of crew are up to date with their coronavirus vaccines, including boosters.
—“Vaccination standard of excellence” ships, meaning 95% of passengers and 95% of crew are up to date with their coronavirus vaccines, including boosters.
The new program still requires passengers to undergo a COVID-19 test before embarking, the CDC said.
Cruise lines that choose to participate must “follow all recommendations and guidance as a condition of their participation in the program,” according to the agency’s website, and notify the CDC “of the vaccination status classification for each participating ship.”
Participating ships are then assigned a color on the CDC’s Cruise Ship Color Status page, indicating the number of coronavirus cases reported on board, the guidance reads. Ships that opt out will be given a “gray” color status.
If a ship reaches “red” status — the most severe level of COVID-19 spread on a ship — the CDC says all passengers may be tested during or after the cruise and masks may be required in all indoor and crowded outdoor settings, among other mitigation strategies.
Quarantine and testing rules will also vary depending on a ship’s vaccination status.
For instance, passengers on ships with “vaccination standard of excellence” status must quarantine for at least five days after COVID-19 exposure, and then wear a well-fitting mask for five more days. Meanwhile, passengers on ships that do not “meet vaccination standard of excellence” status are required to quarantine for at least 10 days.
Travelers who develop COVID-19 symptoms must immediately isolate and submit a COVID-19 test, regardless of vaccination status, according to the CDC.
“These instructions reflect CDC’s reasoned judgment based on the best available current science regarding the subject areas covered in the document,” the public health agency said. “Cruise ship operators should carefully consider and incorporate these instructions in developing their own health and safety protocols.”
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