Cruises to Follow CDC Guidelines Despite Appeals Court Sided With Florida

It’s no secret that cruises can easily become a petri dish for COVID19. In 2020, high-profile cases of COVID stricken cruises halted the operations of the industry for more than a year.

With more people vaccinated, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased restrictions on cruises. Unfortunately, Florida sued the federal government claiming that the health agency overstepped its authority enforcing health and safety protocols in the state.

In an ongoing legal battle, a US Court of Appeals for the 11^th Circuit decision sided with the state. This decision renders the Conditional Sailing Order merely as a suggestion. But despite the decision, cruises are still looking to follow CDC guidelines.

Following the CDC Guidelines on a Voluntary Basis

After the ruling on Friday, the CDC requested cruise lines to notify the CDC’s Marine Unit by 5 pm Monday whether ships from Florida will follow the CDC guidelines “on a voluntary basis”.

There are incentives to follow the CDC guidelines. According to the agency, ships will still have to report COVID cases on board. Cruises that opted not to follow CDC’s COVID safety protocols could be “detained” pending completion of sanitation measures.

There will also be an indoor mask mandate on ships that will not follow the agency’s guidelines. This could have an impact on the overall cruise experience in Florida for both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests.

Color-Coded List

The CDC published a color-coded list of outbreaks on cruises. The agency issued a warning on cruises that will not follow the conditional sailing order. The agency warned that these cruises will be classified as gray. This means that the CDC can’t confirm if protocols are aligned with the CDC guidelines to prevent COVID.

Royal Caribbean president and CEO Michael Bayley said that “We will continue to voluntarily follow all CDC guidelines and recommendations”. Royal Caribbean spokesperson Lyan Sierra-Carro also confirmed that they have no plans to change their protocols. Norwegian Cruise Line also announced that they are adhering to the CDC guidelines.