The CDC said today people should avoid cruise travel regardless of vaccination status, following a jump in onboard COVID-19 cases, in a major blow to the industry that has been ravaged by the pandemic.
The CDC on Thursday raised its COVID-19 Travel Health Notice level for cruise ships to 4, its highest warning level.
“Avoid cruise travel, regardless of vaccination status…Even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants,” the health agency said.
According to the CDC, almost 90 cruise ships experienced COVID outbreaks. The agency investigated or is currently investigating 77% of the 111 ships operating in US waters.
Senator Richard Blumenthal wants CDC to stop cruise line operations again with a no-sail order. He tweeted :
“Time for CDC & cruise lines to protect consumers & again pause—docking their ships. Cruises are repeating recent history as petri dishes of COVID infection.”
Last week, Royal Caribbean was diverted from its itinerary after 55 individuals tested positive. Also making news, Norwegian Breakaway had 17 COVID cases when it docked in New Orleans on December 4 with more than 3,200 people on board. A spokesperson for Norwegian said that “All the identified cases onboard were asymptomatic.”
A spokesperson for CLIA, Cruise Lines International Association, said “Many of our members have announced additional measures in response to the Omicron variant” and added that it included “strengthening testing, masking, and other requirements, as well as encouraging booster vaccine doses for those eligible”.
