CDC Asks Cruise Operators to “Reconsider” Face Mask Rules

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO). On August 27, the agency recommends cruise operators to “reconsider” face mask rules. A few months ago, the CDC has softened its stance on mask-wearing protocols.

Some cruise lines allow fully vaccinated crew to remove masks indoors in areas that are not accessible to passengers. Also, there are areas where physical distancing and masks are not required for fully vaccinated crew members and passengers.

The CDC also doesn’t require vaccination on passengers and crew members. Cruises can operate without doing a simulated voyage if they can meet the 95% vaccination threshold for both passengers and crew members.

Stricter Safety Protocols

Since the recent surge of COVID cases in the US, cruises are adding safety protocols to further mitigate risks. Cruises like Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages are now requiring guests to be fully vaccinated. On the other hand, cruises like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises implemented stricter masking and testing policies.

Are Cruises Safe?

Given the prevalence of the more virulent Delta variant, people ask: Is cruising safe? Is it time to bring back stricter face mask rules?

In July, a 77-year old woman who boarded a Carnival Cruise ship in Galveston died of COVID19. 96% of the 4366 passengers and crew completed their COVID19 vaccination. But despite staying above the vaccination threshold set by the CDC, the ship reported 27 COVID19 cases on board.

Carnival announced after that they are going to mandate pre-boarding COVID tests for passengers. According to the company, the woman who died of COVID “almost certainly did not contract COVID on our ship”.

Dr. Luis Ostrosky, division chief for infectious diseases at University of Texas’ UT Health, said that cruises are challenging environments from an infection-control standpoint. According to Ostrosky, “the risk on a two-hour flight where everyone is masked and airflow is good is (lower) than being on a cruise ship for five days straight”.

He said that “We can try to do cruises as safely as possible, but we are going to have breakthrough cases”.