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In October 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) implemented a strict set of guidelines for the cruise industry known as the Conditional Sail Order (CSO). Despite cries of unfair treatment from the travel industry, joined by a lawsuit from the state of Florida, the CDC has continued to extend the order. The CDC order allows some modifications as progress is made in the fight against COVID-19.
Last week, the CDC extended the Conditional Sail Order one last time, with plans to move to a voluntary program after that. Now, the CSO will be in effect through Jan. 15. A press release made this extension in response to the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19, which is much more contagious than previous strands.
“The procedures put in place to resume passenger operations have successfully averted overwhelming onboard medical facilities and burdening shore-side hospital resources,” the CDC wrote in a statement.
The order required all cruise ships in the United States to complete simulated test cruises unless 98% of crew and 95% of passengers were fully vaccinated. The declaration is nonbinding in Florida, though this has changed multiple times throughout the state’s lawsuit case against the CDC.
When the order expires, the CDC said it plans “to transition to a voluntary program, in coordination with the cruise ship operators and other stakeholders, to assist the cruise industry in detecting, mitigating, and controlling the spread of COVID-19 onboard cruise ships.”
“This transition will continue strong measures to detect, mitigate, and control the spread of COVID, and it will align with other travel orders, including the global contract tracing and global testing orders,” the CDC added.
For now, they require cruise ships to follow a particular set of guidelines set forth by the CDC. The government agency also recommends that both cruise passengers and crew be vaccinated. In response, several cruise lines have vaccinated all of their onboard employees, with some — such as Virgin Voyages and Norwegian Cruise Line — also requiring proof of vaccination for passengers.
Jessica is a freelance journalist on a quest to see and experience everything our gorgeous planet offers and share her experiences with her fellow travelers. Jessica has written for several world-class Travel Magazines.
