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CDC ENDS COVID 19 PROGRAM FOR CRUISE LINES – WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

 

As of July 18, 2022, CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships is no longer in effect. CDC will continue to publish guidance to help cruise ships continue to provide a safer and healthier environment for passengers, crew and communities going forward.

 CDC has worked closely with the cruise industry, state, territorial, and local health authorities, and federal and seaport partners to provide a safer and healthier environment for cruise passengers and crew. Cruise ships have access to guidance and tools to manage their own COVID-19 mitigation programs. Additionally, cruise travelers have access to recommendations that allow them to make informed decisions about cruise ship travel. While cruising poses some risk of COVID-19 transmission, CDC will continue to publish guidance to help cruise ships continue to provide a safer and healthier environment for crew, passengers, and communities going forward.

 What does this mean for passengers?

It will be up to the individual cruise lines to establish their own COVID 19 protocols.

You need to contact your cruise line before your trip to find out what they are requiring.


We expect the cruise lines will be looking at what changes they want to make. Some have already dropped the pre-cruise testing.
THE CDC STILL RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING PROTOLS TO KEEP YOURSELF AND OTHERS SAFE:


PLAN AHEAD




  • Be up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before travel.
  • Check if your cruise line requires proof of vaccination or pre-embarkation testing, or has any other requirements to board.
  • If traveling by air before or after cruise travel, check if your airline or destination any testing, vaccination, or other documents.
  • Check on your destinations for their COVID requirements. You can find information for your destination at Travel.State.GOV (click to got to website)
  • Consider getting travel insurance. Consider buying additional insurance that covers health care and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas. Make sure you have a plan to get care overseas, in case you need it.

  


 Pre-embarkation Testing


  • If your cruise line does not have a testing requirement, get tested for current infection withal viral test (no more than 3 days) before boarding a cruise ship, regardless of your vaccination status. Get your test results before you board a cruise.
  • If you recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days, testing is not generally recommended unless you have symptoms. People can continue to test positive for up to 90 days after diagnosis and not be infectious to others. Check with your cruise line regarding their specific policies, including if you need to provide a copy of your positive test result and a letter from your healthcare provider documenting that you recovered from COVID-19.
  • If you or your travel companions have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive at embarkation, the cruise ship may deny you from boarding. If you are allowed to board, you may be required to isolate or quarantine, depending on your symptoms and test results.

During Cruise Travel

               


Protect Yourself and Others    


   

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Follow recommendations for protecting yourself and others.
  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19, stay in your cabin and notify the onboard medical center immediately. It’s important to report your symptoms, even if they are mild, to protect others on board including passengers at increased risk for severe illness and crew.



Masks



  • Follow any ship-specific mask protocols.
  • Follow CDC’s recommendations for wearing masks in travel and public transportation settings.

 

If You Develop Symptoms or Use a Self-Test on Board with a Positive Result

  • Isolate yourself in your cabin immediately.
  • Call your ship’s medical center.
  • This is where Travel Insurance comes in handy

Cruise lines may have their own requirements for testing, isolation, quarantine, mask wearing, and dining for people with COVID-19 or their close contacts. If you have questions about a cruise line’s specific policies, please contact them directly.

  • If you disembark the ship before completing your isolation or quarantine period, you should follow CDC’s guidance, or local guidance if you disembark in another country.

After Cruise Travel

  • Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Follow additional guidance if you know you were exposed to a person with COVID-19.
  • Get tested for current infection with a COVID-19 viral test 3–5 days after your trip or if you develop symptoms.
  • Isolate if you develop symptoms or your test result is positive.
  • If your test result is positive, contact your state, territorial, local or tribal health department to tell them you have COVID-19 and recently traveled on a cruise ship.
  • Follow all state, territorial, local or tribal recommendations or requirements after travel.

Conclusion

The main thing to remember at this point is to check your cruise line for their protocols so you can be prepared to have a safe, fun, and worry free vacation. As your Travel Advisor, Infinity Fun and Travel can help you with the protocol information since it changes daily. Contact us for more information. CLICK HERE

 

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