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The federal agency now classifies cruise travel as “Level 4: Very High Level of COVID-19” and clarifies that this includes river cruises and applies worldwide.
In late October, the CDC lifted a month-long ban on cruise ships operating in and out of US ports.
While most major cruise lines have canceled trips to U.S. waters until 2021, some trips have restarted elsewhere.
Mediterranean cruise operations resumed during the summer, albeit with reduced passenger capacity and a more limited itinerary.
Earlier this month, SeaDream 1, the first cruise ship to depart from a Caribbean port since spring, was hit with a string of Covid cases, despite a pre-shipment testing policy. Seven passengers and two crew members tested positive for the virus.
The outbreak cast doubt on the ability to test on their own to combat the spread of the coronavirus on cruises.
Since SeaDream 1 operated out of US waters, the ship did not have to follow CDC advice on cruising.
The new CDC guide specifies that “passengers who decide to go on a cruise should take the test 3-5 days after the trip”.
Even if travelers are negative once they return home, it is recommended that they stay home for seven days. If they are not tested, they should stay home for 14 days.
The agency’s advice is that “for most travelers, the cruise ship trip is voluntary and should be rescheduled for a future date.”
But despite warnings from the CDC, many cruise lovers are excited to get back to sailing. Leading cruise line Royal Caribbean said it has been inundated with travelers looking to sign up for its trial cruise program, which is still in the planning stages.
Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean, said in a Facebook post that 100,000 people have registered interest so far.
CNN’s Marnie Hunter and Patrick Oppmann contributed to this report.
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