Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Kelly Fontenelle

CDC Eliminates COVID-19 Advisory for Cruise Ship Travel

by Dori Saltzman / March 30, 2022
CDC Eliminates COVID-19 Advisory for Cruise Ship Travel

Photo courtesy of Holland America Line

 

Just 15 days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lowered its advisory for cruise ships to Level 2: Moderate, the governmental agency eliminated its risk advisory for cruise ship travel altogether. The CDC cruise travel notice, which had been at its highest possible level just two months ago, has been in place for two years.

Instead of a notice recommending travelers avoid cruise ships, the CDC now recommends that cruisers stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccines. It also recommends that immunocompromised individuals talk to their healthcare providers before booking. Additionally, the CDC recommends that cruisers get a COVID-19 viral test before their cruise, something that is required by all the major cruise lines.

The agency is maintaining its color-coded classification system, which indicates the number of COVID-19 cases reported onboard each ship, whether an investigation is needed or additional health measures are being taken.

“This is great news. The fact that they removed the warning is a very positive step for our industry,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International during a President’s Panel at the Cruise360 trade show. 

“We’ve been on a very long journey with the CDC,” he said, adding the two sides learned to work collaboratively and respect each other’s concerns, building trust in the process.

Now when a consumer wants to find out about COVID-19 on cruise ships, they can go to the CDC’s websites and get the facts without being scared away by a warning.

“You’re free to cruise,” Bayley said.

Other cruise line executives also welcomed the news.

“The CDC’s removal of its health notice related to cruise travel is an important step forward in recognizing the work we have done to protect our guests,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. "At Holland America Line, we continue to operate vaccinated cruises and have created a safe and healthy environment for our guests, our teams, and the communities we serve, helping to ensure cruising is among the safest forms of socializing and travel.”

“We’re absolutely thrilled to see that the CDC recognizes that it’s time to remove the Travel Health Notice website,” said Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “While we feel this was a long time coming, we recognize this move as a demonstration of all of the hard work this industry has done to ensure that we’re offering the safest way to travel. It’s refreshing to see them meet us where we’re at, and clearly where our customers are at considering the major uptick in demand we’ve seen.”

  73
  0
Related Articles
The CDC Drops All Country Specific COVID-19 Travel Advisories
NCL Removes All COVID-19 Vaccination & Testing Requirements
Costa Cruises Simplifies COVID-19 Protocols
Lindblad Expeditions Drops Testing Requirements
Royal Caribbean to Welcome Unvaccinated Cruisers on Most Sailings
Windstar Drops Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Tests
Nevis Lifts COVID-19 Entry Protocols
Advisors See Cruise Bookings Rise After NCL, Royal Caribbean Drop Vaccine Requirements
Holland America Drops Vaccine Mandate on Most Sailings
Disney Cruise Line Drops Vaccine Requirement for Kids Younger Than 12

MOST VIEWED

  1. All U.S. Flights Grounded Due to FAA Computer Outage
  2. FAA Closes Three U.S. Airports Over National Security Risk
  3. Norwegian Cruise Line Brings Back COVID-19 Requirements
  4. Forbes Says ‘You Need a Travel Advisor in 2023’
  5. What’s New in Travel Agent FAM Trips
  6. U.S. Embassy Issues Security Alert for Mexico After Cancun Taxi Protests

MOST EMAILED

  1. Forbes Says ‘You Need a Travel Advisor in 2023’
  2. All U.S. Flights Grounded Due to FAA Computer Outage
  3. Visitors to the U.K. Will Soon Need to Pay an Application Fee Prior to Travel
  4. Beverage Carry-On & Corkage Fee Policies by Cruise Line
  5. Tour Operators & Advisors Forced to Cancel Trips as Peru Shuts Down Machu Picchu
  6. Here Are the Automatic & Suggested Gratuity Policies for Each Major Cruise Line
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Carnival Cruise Line Unveils 30-Day Transpacific Cruise
Carnival Cruise Line Unveils 30-Day Transpacific Cruise

The itinerary is a first-of-its-kind sailing for Carnival. 

Read...
Alaskan Dream Cruises Brings Back Designated Family Cruise
Alaskan Dream Cruises Brings Back Designated Family Cruise

It's the first time the line has offered the itinerary since 2018. 

Read...
Royal Caribbean Offers Bonus Commission
Royal Caribbean Offers Bonus Commission

Select Alaska and Europe bookings made by February 17, 2023 apply. 

Read...
NCL Gets "Almost Everyone" to Sign up for New Commission Payment Program
NCL Gets "Almost Everyone" to Sign up for New Commission Payment Program

The travel agency response to NCL's NCF payment offer was as good as the line could have possibly imagined. 

Read...
Princess Cruises Unveils Public Spaces Onboard Sun Princess
Princess Cruises Unveils Public Spaces Onboard Sun Princess

A three-deck main dining room will be among the new spaces cruisers will find onboard Sun Princess. 

Read...
Trade at Forefront of Ken Muskat's Plans for Scenic & Emerald Cruises
Trade at Forefront of Ken Muskat's Plans for Scenic & Emerald Cruises

"Our owners are depending on this market [North America] to be the largest market for Scenic and Emerald..."

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
river cruise 2022
group outlook 2022
lux cruise outlook
CP White Paper
Multi-Gen Outlook
River Cruise Outlook 2019
View All
Advertiser's Voice
Celebrate National Don’t Plan for Vacation Day with Delta Vacations
About Travel Market Report Mission Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News |Tours & Packages |Cruise |Hotels & Resorts |Destinations |Retail Strategies |Niche & Luxury |Well-Being Travel |Training & Events |Who We Are
© 2005 - 2023 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy