Even with strict protocols that will supposedly limit COVID19 exposure, 48 individuals tested positive aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Symphony of the Seas is the world’s biggest cruise ship carrying more than 6,000 passengers and crew for its week-long trip to the Caribbean.
When a guest tested positive aboard the world’s biggest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean conducted contact tracing and discovered others tested positive as well.
According to Royal Caribbean, 95% of individuals aboard the ship completed their vaccine doses. However, 98% of the people who tested positive are vaccinated. This brings the positive cases to 0.78% of the cruise ship’s total population. However, it is still unknown whether the infections were omicron cases.
Royal Caribbean requires all travelers aged 12 and above to complete their vaccine doses. Also, travelers will need to show a negative COVID19 test before departure. Unvaccinated children on the Symphony of the Seas have to test negative via PCR test and also needed to test negative at the terminal pre-departure testing.
According to the cruise line, even if a booster shot is not a requirement, it “strongly recommends” that travelers get their booster shot.
Royal Caribbean crew members also completed their required vaccine doses. They also need to test “at least once a week”.
Then, there are the other health and safety measures that can mitigate the risk of infection. Royal Caribbean conducts cleaning protocols and requires masks in indoor public areas.
In a statement, Royal Caribbean said that “Each person quickly went into quarantine”. It added that “Everyone who tested positive were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, and we continuously monitored their health”.
The cruise line announced that future voyages of the Symphony of the Seas will continue as scheduled.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), a group that represents major cruises, said that it is “monitoring developments related to the Omicron variant and remain closely engaged with local and national authorities in the places where cruises sail”.
In early December, 17 individuals tested positive Norwegian Cruise Lines cruise ship, Breakaway.
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