thomson cruises covid

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

Cruise Ship Travel

CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance has been updated. The content of this page will be updated soon.

While cruising is a popular way to travel, there are some health concerns to be aware of. Find out more about health issues on cruises and steps you can take to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

If you are feeling sick before your voyage, do not travel and ask your cruise line about rescheduling or reimbursement options. If you feel sick during your voyage, report your symptoms to the ship’s medical center and follow their recommendations.

Common Health Concerns During Cruise Travel and what You Can Do to Prevent Illness

• Respiratory illnesses like influenza , COVID-19 , and the common cold. Get your annual flu shot and get up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines . Check directly with your cruise line about their COVID-19 testing or vaccination protocols before travel. If you have a weakened immune system , talk with your healthcare provider about your cruise travel plans. Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer . When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue to prevent spreading germs. Consider wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor areas.
• Norovirus. Symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, primarily caused by outbreaks of norovirus, have been reported. To prevent norovirus , wash your hands with soap and water before eating and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or touching things that other people have touched, such as stair railings. Avoid touching your face. For more information, visit CDC’s  Vessel Sanitation Program  website.
• Seasickness. Cruise ship passengers may experience seasickness or motion sickness. If you know you get seasick or think you may be likely to get seasick, talk to your healthcare provider about medicine to reduce your symptoms. Some common medications, including some antidepressants, painkillers, and birth control pills, can make seasickness worse.
• Sunburns. Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher when traveling. Protecting yourself from the sun isn’t just for tropical beaches—you can get a sunburn even if it’s cloudy or cold.
• Bug bites. On your trip, use insect repellent and take other steps to avoid bug bites. Bugs, including mosquitoes and ticks, can spread diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and Lyme. Many ships visit ports where these diseases are a concern.

Before Your Trip

Check CDC’s destination pages for travel health information . Check CDC’s webpage for your destination to see what vaccines or medicines you may need and what diseases or health risks are a concern at your destination.

Make sure you are up to date with all of your routine vaccines . Routine vaccinations protect you from infectious diseases  that can spread quickly in groups of people. Outbreaks of chickenpox, influenza, and COVID-19 have been reported on cruise ships.

Many diseases prevented by routine vaccination are not common in the United States but are still common in other countries. Crew members and fellow travelers often board a cruise ship from destinations where some diseases are more common than in the United States or where vaccination is not routine.

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider or a travel health specialist  that takes place at least one month before you leave. They can help you get destination-specific vaccines, medicines, and information. Discussing your health concerns, itinerary, and planned activities with your provider allows them to give more specific advice and recommendations.

Plan for the Unexpected

Prepare for any unexpected issues during your cruise ship travels with the following steps:

Prepare a  travel health kit  with items you may need, especially those items that may be difficult to find at your destination. Include your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines in your travel health kit and take enough to last your entire trip, plus extra in case of travel delays. Depending on your destination you may also want to pack a mask ,  insect repellent , sunscreen (SPF15 or higher), aloe, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, water disinfection tablets, and your health insurance card.

Get travel insurance.  Find out if your health insurance covers medical care abroad. Travelers are usually responsible for paying hospital and other medical expenses out of pocket at most destinations. Make sure you have a plan to  get care overseas , in case you need it. Consider buying  additional insurance  that covers health care and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas.

If you need medical care abroad, see Getting Health Care During Travel .

After Travel

If you traveled and feel sick, particularly if you have a fever, talk to a healthcare provider and tell them about your travel. Avoid contact with other people while you are sick.

More Information

• Cruise Ship Travel in CDC Yellow Book
• Information for Cruise Ship Travelers
• Maritime Guidance

File Formats Help:

• Adobe PDF file
• Microsoft PowerPoint file
• Microsoft Word file
• Microsoft Excel file
• Audio/Video file
• Apple Quicktime file
• RealPlayer file
• Zip Archive file

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Coronavirus Updates

People should avoid cruise travel regardless of their vaccination status, the cdc says.

Jonathan Franklin

The Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Sunrise ship is seen in the port of Miami on Dec. 23, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

The Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Sunrise ship is seen in the port of Miami on Dec. 23, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new advisory Thursday that travelers should avoid traveling by cruise ship, regardless of vaccination status, after a recent surge in positive COVID-19 cases onboard ships.

The agency increased its travel warning for cruises to Level 4 — the highest level — following investigations of dozens of ships that have had outbreaks of the virus.

"Even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants," the CDC said on its website .

Shots - Health News

Tracking the coronavirus around the u.s.: see how your state is doing.

Following the identification of the omicron variant, there has been an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases among cruise passengers and crew reported to the agency, the CDC said.

More cruise ships have reached "level yellow" — the level where the CDC investigates a ship's COVID outbreak.

"It is especially important that travelers who are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide, regardless of vaccination status," the agency added.

More cruise ships are under CDC investigation following COVID-19 outbreaks on board

There are 91 cruise ships currently under investigation or observation, according to the CDC website. However, the agency has not specified how many COVID-19 cases have been reported, according to The Associated Press .

An additional three ships are being monitored.

The CDC advised that those who choose to travel on a cruise should get vaccinated against COVID-19 before their trip and, if eligible, receive a booster dose.

In addition, masks should also be worn in shared spaces and passengers who are not fully vaccinated against COVID should self-quarantine for five days after travel, in addition to getting tested three to five days after their return, the CDC said.

Goats and Soda

The goal: at least 40% vaxxed in all nations by year-end. this map shows how we stand.

In an email to NPR, a spokesperson for the Cruise Lines International Association said the trade group was "disappointed" by the CDC's latest advisory against cruise ship travel.

"While we are disappointed and disagree with the decision to single out the cruise industry—an industry that continues to go above and beyond compared to other sectors—CLIA and our ocean-going cruise line members remain committed to working collaboratively with the CDC in the interest of public health and safety," the trade group said .

Most cruise lines require adult passengers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19, according to AP.

For now, CDC guidanc e allows cruise ships to relax measures — such as mask usage — if at least 95% of passengers and 95% of the cruise ship crew are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

• cruise ship
• CDC COVID-19 guidance

What’s it like to go on a cruise now? Here’s how COVID changed the onboard experience

Cruise passengers will see a lot of changes on the ship due to the pandemic.

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

The cruise industry suffered its biggest financial blow in decades when the COVID-19 pandemic halted most sailings for months and made nervous cruise fans think twice about booking an ocean voyage.

But cruising is back and all signs point to a turn of the tide for the industry: More cruises are scheduled to depart the Port of Los Angeles next year than in 2019.

Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise company, reported that bookings for the second half of 2022 already surpassed bookings for 2019. Royal Caribbean cruises for 2022 are nearly at 2019 levels, the company’s chief financial officer, Jason Liberty, said on a recent earnings call.

Despite the shutdown, the world’s cruise lines have more than 100 new ships on order to set sail by 2027. The Majestic Princess, a ship designed to serve the Chinese market, made its maiden call from the Port of L.A. on Oct. 6. Some 200 cruises are scheduled to depart from there in 2022, up from 120 in 2019.

What are cruise lines requiring of passengers? How have boarding, dining and other activities on board changed? We gathered some information to answer common questions.

Death on the high seas: Cruise passengers face head winds with COVID lawsuits

Cruise giants Carnival, Princess, and Royal Caribbean — which face dozens of COVID-19 related lawsuits — have the legal upper-hand, experts say.

Nov. 3, 2021

Do I have to be vaccinated to go on a cruise?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all passengers be fully vaccinated before boarding a cruise ship. The world’s largest cruise companies now require passengers leaving U.S. ports to be fully vaccinated, with limited exceptions. Vaccines are required for passengers on Carnival , Princess , Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise lines.

You will usually be required to show proof of vaccination at the terminal before boarding. Some cruise lines will also require passengers — whether vaccinated or not — to show proof of a COVID-19 test taken within two days of boarding a vessel. Check the requirements and protocols of your particular cruise.

Do I have to wear a mask at all times on the ship?

Passengers are strongly encouraged to wear masks in public spaces and are required to do so in such indoor areas as elevators, stores, casinos and dining halls, except when eating or drinking. You typically won’t be required to wear masks around the pool and hot tubs, but deck chairs are spaced farther apart than in the past to maintain physical distance.

What about shore visits and excursions?

To go onshore, you must meet the health protocols of the country the ship visits. The government of the Bahamas, for example, recently announced that all cruise visitors must be fully vaccinated, with the exception of travelers under age 12 and those with medical exemptions.

On some ships, such as Carnival Cruises, unvaccinated passengers are not allowed to go onshore except with a pre-booked “bubble tour,” in which passengers travel with friends and family in a controlled environment. On other cruise lines, such as Holland America, shore excursions managed by the ship are strongly encouraged.

Are ships sailing at full capacity?

Most ships are sailing at less than full capacity, partly to encourage physical distancing. The Majestic Princess left on its maiden voyage from the Port of Los Angeles at about 60% capacity. The cruise lines plan to increase capacity over the next few months.

Have any activities been eliminated because of COVID-19?

You won’t be lining up at the buffet for meals. Most self-serve buffets have been modified so that employees serve passengers to avoid unnecessary crowding. Indoor dancing, karaoke and nightclubs are no longer allowed on many ships, including the Majestic Princess, which converted its karaoke area into extra room for spa treatments. On some ships, passengers won’t be allowed to try on clothing for sale. Physical distancing is encouraged for all activities.

Will I need to make reservations for dining and other onboard activities?

To manage capacity and physical distancing, many onboard restaurants recommend reservations and will limit groups at dining tables to eight. On Princess Cruises, reservations can be made through the MedallionClass app. On Celebrity Cruises, reservations can be made on the Celebrity Cruises App.

What else do I need to know?

You won’t be required to assemble at a designated spot on the ship to hear the pre-departure safety instruction, also known as the “safety muster drill.” Instead, passengers can watch parts of the safety drill on their stateroom televisions or on a cruise ship app.

Spas and gyms remain open, but some cruise lines limit them to vaccinated guests. Hand sanitizer stations can be found throughout the ships.

More to Read

Where can you find your people? More travelers are looking to themed cruises

Jan. 11, 2023

Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming board Broadway cruise for spring 2023

June 22, 2022

Guests and crew members test positive for COVID-19 aboard Princess Cruise ship

March 27, 2022

Hugo Martín is an assistant editor on the Fast Break Desk, the Los Angeles Times’ breaking news team. He has been a journalist with the Los Angeles Times for more than 30 years, covering politics, transportation, travel, business and the outdoors. A native Californian, Martín was part of the Metro staff that won Pulitzer Prizes in 1993, 1995 and 1998. He is an avid outdoorsman, a proud father and die-hard Lakers fan.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Ocean technology hub AltaSea blooms on San Pedro waterfront

May 27, 2024

Buy now, pay later companies must adhere to credit card rules

May 26, 2024

Your package wasn’t delivered? Try living at one of L.A.’s ‘½’ addresses

Money Talk: Paying bills with auto payments is scary, should it be?

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

• CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

How cruise lines are adapting to COVID-19 in the age of Omicron

The pandemic keeps disrupting the cruise industry. Here’s how to navigate if you plan to set sail.

The pandemic is upending the cruise industry once again.

In late December, just six months after cruise ships resumed sailing from United States ports, onboard cases of COVID-19 began to skyrocket—rising from 162 in the first two weeks of the month to 5,000 in the latter half of the month. As U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Rochelle Walensky recently told lawmakers , it was about a 30-fold increase.

In the weeks that followed, the CDC warned travelers to avoid cruises even if they’re fully vaccinated . There has been a flurry of cancellations, including several Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line sailings , because of crew members calling in sick and destinations closing their ports to cruises. The ships that do set sail have had to tighten their COVID-19 protocols—which include vaccine mandates, testing, and masking—and make last-minute itinerary changes.

Further complicating matters, the CDC’s Conditional Sailing Order—a framework of mandatory safety procedures for foreign-flagged ships in U.S. waters—expired on January 15. Following that guidance will now be optional for cruise ships, meaning they will be able to chart their own safety course.

For people who planned their trips months or even years before Omicron’s arrival, these rapidly changing circumstances have proven almost impossible to navigate around.

“People traveling at all right now have to be very flexible,” says Chris Gray Faust, managing editor of online industry publication Cruise Critic . “Dig into what your cruise line is requiring. What was the policy a month ago may not be the policy today.”

So how can travelers make sense of it all? Here’s what experts say.

How are COVID-19 protocols changing?

Eager to shed their early pandemic reputation as floating disease carriers, cruise lines worked with the CDC to institute fairly rigorous onboard COVID-19 protocols—the agency’s condition for allowing ships to sail from U.S. ports again. The CDC laid out guidance for testing crew and passengers and how to deal with outbreaks. Most cruise lines also instituted vaccine mandates.

( These photos show the surreal world of cruising during the pandemic’s height .)

Not much will change for the ships that participate in the CDC’s new voluntary program. They will still report COVID-19 data to the agency daily and follow specific testing regimes for passengers and crew. Cruise lines won’t get to choose which protocols to follow either, says Captain Aimee Treffiletti, head of the CDC’s maritime unit. If they choose to participate, they must agree to everything.

Norwegian Cruise Line has already indicated that it will join the CDC program. Brian Salerno, senior vice president of global maritime policy for the Cruise Lines International Association , expects many cruise lines will ultimately take part. He argues that cruise lines have often gone beyond CDC requirements—installing air purification technology or even onboard PCR testing laboratories —and aren’t likely to start slacking now.

“It’s a business imperative to do this right,” Salerno says. “Nobody’s going to relax during Omicron.”

It’s also a matter of public image. The CDC plans to continue issuing each ship a color-coded status that anyone can access to check transmission at any given time. Ships that are shaded green have no reported cases of COVID-19, while those that are shaded red are under CDC investigation. Cruise lines that aren’t part of the voluntary program will be shaded gray. Those ships may have their own health and safety protocols, but they haven’t been reviewed by the CDC.

“Nobody wants to be gray,” Salerno says. “Obviously everybody wants to be green.”

But with Omicron cases soaring, why is the CDC loosening its grip on the cruise industry? Treffiletti says the agency is confident that it has identified the best practices for mitigating transmission aboard a cruise ship—which she emphasizes was done in partnership with cruise lines. Now, she says, the CDC has decided to flex its regulatory authority “on a case-by-case basis rather than shutting down all the cruise ships at once.”

The CDC will still be able to board any ship in U.S. waters and conduct inspections, she points out. Ships that aren’t participating in the voluntary program will also have to report every case of COVID-19—just not every day—and will still be subject to the agency’s order requiring masks on public transportation .

How do the vaccine mandates work?

Most cruise lines currently require all passengers, including eligible children, to be fully vaccinated (meaning two doses of Pfizer or Moderna, one dose of Johnson & Johnson, or a WHO-approved equivalent). Salerno says the vaccination rates aboard cruise ships right now are close to 95 percent for passengers and crew members.

Some companies do accommodate children who haven’t gotten a jab: Royal Caribbean and Carnival, for example, require all guests older than 12 to be vaccinated , while younger passengers can board with a negative test. Disney Cruise Lines requires everyone over the age of five to be vaccinated. (The Walt Disney Company is the majority owner of National Geographic Partners.)

Cruise lines also align their vaccination policies with those of their destinations. So even though the United Kingdom considers children fully vaccinated after just one dose of an mRNA vaccine, a ship that sets sail to the Caribbean may only allow children who have had two doses.

Meanwhile, as Omicron spreads, some cruise lines have begun to require booster shots. Beginning February 1, Viking will require anyone who is eligible for a booster dose to get it at least 14 days before setting sail from the U.S. In addition, the CDC recently emphasized that being “up to date” on vaccines includes a booster dose.

Omicron is even more transmissible than the Delta variant—and better at evading vaccine immunity. But while the vaccines are no longer as effective at preventing you from getting infected, they are still the best protection, says Kathryn Willebrand, an epidemiologist who recently co-authored a study of COVID-19 transmission aboard cruise ships with infectious disease physician Lauren Pischel.

Willebrand points out that vaccines are still effective at preventing severe illness—which is especially important when you’re in the middle of the ocean on a boat whose medical staff might be overwhelmed or sick themselves. “You don’t want to need medical care when you’re far from home,” she says.

( Can booster shots protect you from Omicron? )

How often will you be tested?

Cruise lines have been requiring passengers and crew to test before boarding a ship, although specific requirements differ. Some only accept PCR tests, while others will accept the results of a rapid antigen test—in some cases only if the test is overseen by a health professional . And while some companies require you to get tested before you leave home, others administer tests at the terminal prior to boarding .

Crew members are generally subjected to routine testing throughout the voyage because they’re particularly vulnerable to infection. They spend more time on the ship, in closer quarters, and tend to have more interaction with others. But passengers might be required to test before any shore excursion if the port of call requires it, or if they develop symptoms during the trip.

If you don’t have any symptoms, you generally don’t have to be tested before disembarking the ship. Instead, Treffiletti and the CDC recommend getting tested five days after your trip. However, Gray Faust cautions that if you’re flying internationally, your final destination may require a negative test—or the cruise line may administer tests to everyone if there’s a particularly bad COVID-19 outbreak on board.

( 5 things to know about COVID-19 tests in the age of Omicron .)

What happens if there’s an outbreak?

Still, COVID-19 has proven adept at slipping past these protocols, particularly in the time of Omicron. Since COVID-19 is airborne and cruise ships are enclosed environments, the boats are higher risk environments for transmission, says Willebrand. Thousands of people pass through dining rooms, casinos, and other areas where virus particles may be hanging in the air.

Under the CDC guidance , cruise lines are supposed to educate both crew and passengers to identify and report COVID-19 symptoms. If someone onboard develops symptoms, they are tested and isolated until the results come back or until they’re no longer infectious. Those who are still infectious at the end of a journey are typically required to quarantine on shore—and Treffiletti says the CDC can work with cruise lines to facilitate that.

Since passengers are vaccinated, however, close contacts don’t necessarily have to quarantine unless they begin to develop symptoms. Gray Faust says cruise lines have been successful at contact tracing to notify those close contacts for the same reason that cruise ships are so vulnerable to transmission—they are closed communities.

“If you go to a restaurant and the person next to you is sick, you won’t know that,” Gray Faust says. “But on a ship, they do go back and find people. That is something that the cruise ships have developed that really is beyond what other types of travel have done.”

All of this relies on the honor system. Much as we’ve seen on land, there’s always the risk that your fellow seafarers may refuse to comply with mask mandates or hide their symptoms from crew to avoid quarantine. Cruise lines have the power to ask those passengers to disembark and travel home at their own expense.

Still, those rules aren’t always enforced—which is why experts say that the decision to set sail ultimately comes down to your own risk tolerance.

( Here’s what you need to know about traveling during Omicron . )

What can you do to ensure a smoother trip?

Although the CDC recommends that people avoid cruises, Treffiletti says that there are some things you can do to help mitigate your risk if you do decide to travel.

For one, before setting sail, check the color-coded chart on the CDC website to see if your ship is participating in the agency’s voluntary COVID-19 program. If so, you’ll be able to see whether there are any outbreaks on board. If things look grim, most cruise lines have implemented fairly flexible rebooking and cancellation policies.

If you’re just booking now, research the protocols of each cruise line to see if they align with your own comfort level. Gray Faust recommends purchasing trip delay and COVID-19 insurance—an extra cost that will be worth it if you get infected and can’t board your ship.

Gray Faust says your packing list should also account for uncertainties. She recommends packing extra clothing and medication in case you are quarantined at any point. If you can snag them, toss in some extra KN95 masks and rapid antigen tests, too.

But most of all, Gray Faust says cruisers need to go into a trip accepting that there will be health protocols in place—which might change as conditions worsen or improve—and that they’re there to keep you safe.

“You need to be OK with that,” she says. “You can still have a great trip. But you’re protecting yourself and other people by wearing masks and by getting your vaccines.”

National Geographic Expeditions and Adventures by Disney offer cruise departures to many destinations around the world. The Walt Disney Company is the majority owner of National Geographic Partners.

Amy McKeever is a senior writer and editor at National Geographic. You can find her on Twitter .

Related Topics

• CORONAVIRUS
• PUBLIC HEALTH
• CRUISE SHIPS

You May Also Like

11 of the best wildlife cruises for 2024 and beyond

In this one-house town, Alaska’s wilderness is at your fingertips

For hungry minds.

In search of wildlife on a one-day cruise off the coast of Cornwall, UK

What it's like to cross Antarctica's Weddell Sea

How to spend 10 days exploring the Croatian islands

Shipwrecks, snorkelling and coral reefs: the Maldives by small-ship cruise

Is the cruise industry ready for the rise in solo travel?

• Paid Content
• Environment
• Photography
• Perpetual Planet

History & Culture

• History & Culture
• History Magazine
• Mind, Body, Wonder
• World Heritage
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

On Cruise Ships, Omicron Puts Safety Protocols to the Test

Many lines are adjusting their masking, testing and vaccine rules, while criticism is mounting about the lack of transparency in reporting positive cases to passengers and crew members.

By Ceylan Yeginsu

By the time the Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship docked in New Orleans on Dec. 4, after a weeklong cruise that included stops in Belize, Honduras and Mexico, 17 coronavirus cases had been identified on the ship, including a case of the new Omicron variant. The local and federal health authorities were notified — but not all the disembarking passengers.

“I only found out after I got home and saw it on the news,” said Betsy Rodriguez, a retired veterinarian who took the Caribbean cruise with her daughter. “We felt pretty safe knowing everyone on the ship was vaccinated, but I guess it would have been good to know people tested positive so we could have been more careful.”

Since the cruise industry restarted operations in the United States this June, its efforts to keep the coronavirus at bay — or at least contained, unlike the major outbreaks experienced in 2020 — have been largely successful. Most cruise companies mandate full vaccinations for crew and most passengers, and have implemented strict health and safety protocols to swiftly identify coronavirus cases onboard and reduce their spread.

But in recent months, as new and highly contagious variants have emerged and case numbers steadily increase worldwide, these measures are being put to the test. Many lines are adjusting their masking, testing and vaccine rules, while criticism is mounting about the lack of transparency in reporting positive cases to passengers and crew members during sailings.

A crew member on the Breakaway, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the news media, said he first heard about the outbreak from a friend and fellow employee. When he contacted management, they neither shared the number of positive cases nor identified who was infected.

“I would like to know who tested positive because this new variant spreads very quickly and I have a medical condition which means I need to be very careful and protect myself,” he said, voicing concern that if he became sick, he could be sent back to his home country. “I can’t afford that because I need to take care of my family at home.”

Most cruise companies do not publicly announce the number of coronavirus cases identified during sailings, but all cruise ships operating to and from U.S. ports must submit daily numbers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which uses a color-coded system to inform the public whether the number of cases is above or below the agency’s threshold for an investigation. Sharing this data is one of many requirements in the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order, a series of C.D.C. guidelines that cruise companies must follow to operate in U.S. waters.

The 17 cases on board the Norwegian Breakaway were first publicly reported by the Louisiana State Department of Health on Dec. 4. All passengers and crew members — more than 3,200 people — onboard were fully vaccinated, following the company’s policy.

Norwegian declined to comment on its policies for reporting cases on board its ships or whether any additional Breakaway crew members tested positive after passengers disembarked.

“All the identified cases onboard were asymptomatic,” a company spokesman said in a statement. “We implemented quarantine, isolation and contact tracing procedures for identified cases and tested all individuals on Norwegian Breakaway before disembarkation.” In addition, he said, passengers were given “post-exposure and quarantine public health guidance” as laid out by the C.D.C.

Reporting to the C.D.C.

The coronavirus wreaked havoc on the cruise industry in the early stages of the pandemic , infecting hundreds of cruise passengers and workers, and requiring the sector to shut down for 18 months. To begin sailing, cruise ships had to agree to the C.D.C.’s Conditional Sailing Order, which is valid until Jan. 15.

Among the safety measures the order requires — beyond submitting the daily number of coronavirus cases — is a prevention and control plan for each cruise ship. The plan, said Bari Golin-Blaugrund, a spokeswoman for the Cruise Line International Association trade group, includes “procedures for informing passengers and crew members that a threshold of Covid-19 has been met or exceeded.”

“The reporting requirements and practices of the cruise industry are practically unmatched compared to other sectors in the United States, especially within the travel and tourism sector,” she said.

In a C.D.C. report of coronavirus data published last month, cruise operators had reported 1,359 positive cases between June 26 and Oct. 21. During that time, 49 hospitalizations, 38 medical evacuations and one death occurred because of coronavirus infections detected onboard cruise ships.

The report highlighted several large outbreaks, including one in which a symptomatic passenger who tested positive on a ship in July was linked to 20 additional cases over two sailings. One ship reported 58 positive between July 24 and Aug. 28 and another reported 112 cases over four consecutive voyages, which ended on Sept. 7. Most of the cases were breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated passengers.

While the C.D.C. relies on data reported by the cruise companies, the agency also carries out inspections to make sure that cruise ships are in compliance.

With the rise of Delta and Omicron variants, and as the virus surges across the world, cruise lines have been adjusting their health and safety protocols, reinstating measures like mask mandates and requiring additional testing from passengers. Starting Jan. 13, Disney Cruise Line will require all children over the age of 5 to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Demand remains high

Despite the new restrictions and risks posed by new variants, demand for future cruises remains high. Carnival, the world’s largest cruise company, reported that its bookings for the second half of 2022 have surpassed bookings for 2019. Royal Caribbean said the Delta variant had hit bookings in 2021 and 2022, but not for 2023.

“I think what people have been saying is, I want to get out there, but I don’t want to do it too soon. I want to make sure that things have stabilized,” Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive of Royal Caribbean Cruises, said in the company’s last earnings call in October.

Miranda Gibson, 63, an avid cruiser from Tampa, Fla., took two cruises this summer, but then canceled three cruises she had planned for the rest of the year because of her concerns over the Delta variant.

“The first cruise I took in June in the Caribbean was heaven because everyone was vaccinated, Covid was under control and it was the first time in so long that we could have some carefree fun,” she said.

“Now with the variants everything is prickly again and you can’t really get a true relaxing cruise experience when you are worrying about Covid and masks and rules,” she explained. “I’m booked in June 2022 and I know I’ll be tempted to go before then but I’m going to wait until it’s safer.”

Others believe cruise ships are among the safest vacation environments, because of the vaccine requirements and testing protocols.

“When you’re on a plane, or in a hotel or at a theme park you don’t know who has Covid around you,” said Timothy Ryan, 67, a retired financial trader from Miami who has 16 cruises booked through 2022. “On a cruise, it’s detected right away and the positive cases are isolated, so you can continue your vacation in a Covid-free bubble. I really don’t know a safer way to travel.”

52 Places to Love in 2021

We asked readers to tell us about the spots that have delighted, inspired and comforted them in a dark year. Here, 52 of the more than 2,000 suggestions we received, to remind us that the world still awaits.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

Ceylan Yeginsu is a London-based reporter. She joined The Times in 2013, and was previously a correspondent in Turkey covering politics, the migrant crisis, the Kurdish conflict, and the rise of Islamic State extremism in Syria and the region. More about Ceylan Yeginsu

Come Sail Away

Love them or hate them, cruises can provide a unique perspective on travel..

 Cruise Ship Surprises: Here are five unexpected features on ships , some of which you hopefully won’t discover on your own.

 Icon of the Seas: Our reporter joined thousands of passengers on the inaugural sailing of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas . The most surprising thing she found? Some actual peace and quiet .

Th ree-Year Cruise, Unraveled:  The Life at Sea cruise was supposed to be the ultimate bucket-list experience : 382 port calls over 1,095 days. Here’s why  those who signed up are seeking fraud charges  instead.

TikTok’s Favorite New ‘Reality Show’:  People on social media have turned the unwitting passengers of a nine-month world cruise  into  “cast members”  overnight.

Dipping Their Toes: Younger generations of travelers are venturing onto ships for the first time . Many are saving money.

Cult Cruisers: These devoted cruise fanatics, most of them retirees, have one main goal: to almost never touch dry land .

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing

A guide to every major cruise line's health requirements for safe sailing.

Cruise lines have shifted their requirements for passengers, making cruising accessible to practically everyone. Many popular cruise lines have eliminated the vaccine and pre-embarkation test as the industry is beginning to shift away from mandatory vaccines and testing.

The changes began shortly after the CDC ended a pandemic-era policy of publicly displaying COVID-19 cases onboard, different cruise lines to the public in July 2022. For those looking to check current COVID-19 trends onboard the CDC urges direct contact with the cruise line, and the organization will continue to monitor and offer guidelines to ships.

Below, we break down each line's list of regulations to sail as well as what travelers need to know to plan.

Avalon Waterways

Where they sail: These small-ship river cruises sail throughout Europe, Asia, South America, and down the Nile River in Egypt.

Who needs the vaccine: All international travelers from the U.S. must be fully vaccinated before boarding. Beginning March 2023 the vaccine is no longer required (but strongly encouraged).

What other safety measures are in place: All guests will undergo a health screening upon arrival and luggage will be disinfected. Avalon will provide COVID-19 testing for travelers who need to show proof of a negative test to return home at no extra cost. Depending on the location of the cruise a pre-departure COVID-19 test may or may not be required.

Find out more: Avalon Waterways

Where they sail : Azamara sails mid-size ships all over the world, to all seven continents.

Who needs the vaccine : All guests and crew 12 and older will be required to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before boarding a ship. Beginning Dec. 1, 2022, the company plans to drop the vaccine requirement for departures from the U.S. and Europe.

What other safety measures are in place : Depending on the port of embarkation guests may or may not to pre-test to travel. For a full list of ports and whether they require a test guests can check online .

Azamara's ships have been upgraded with new HVAC filtration systems, and EPA-certified disinfectants are used to clean the ship.

Find out more : Azamara

Carnival Cruises

Where they sail: Carnival sails large ships around the world, including popular trips to the Caribbean. The company sailed its maiden voyage on the Mardi Gras out of Florida in July.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are encouraged to be vaccinated but unvaccinated travelers, or vaccinated guests without proof of vaccination, will have to present the negative results of a PCR or antigen test taken no earlier than 3 days before sailing.

What other safety measures are in place: For cruises five days or less, there will no longer be pre-cruise testing for vaccinated passengers unless a specific port requires it. Itineraries including Bahamas, Bermuda, or Grand Cayman will still be required to test. All guests will also be required to fill out a health screening 72 hours before embarkation and undergo health screenings prior to boarding. Unvaccinated travelers on a cruise to Bermuda will be required to purchase travel insurance (children under 12 are exempt as long as they are traveling with vaccinated parents).

Both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests who have recovered from COVID-19 within three months of their sailing date, do not need the required pre-cruise COVID test before embarkation, only if they are at least 10 days past their COVID-19 infection, have no symptoms and present documentation of recovery from COVID-19 from their healthcare provider.

Find out more: Carnival Cruise Line

Celebrity Cruises

Where they sail: Celebrity Cruises sails all over the world.

Who needs the vaccine: The vaccine is no longer required to sail on cruises from the U.S. and Europe. A vaccine is required for sailings visiting Canada.

What other safety measures are in place: A pre-embarkation test is no longer required for vaccinated guests on sailings nine days or less. Unvaccinated passengers will still be required to test three days prior to sailing. Self-tests are acceptable from European and U.S. ports that don't stop in Bermuda or Canada.

Find out more : Celebrity Cruises

Where they sail: Cunard, which sails all over the world, is known for its transatlantic journeys aboard the Queen Mary 2.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests 18 and older must be fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated passengers under 18 will be required to undergo a PCR test within 72 hours of their departure.

What other safety measures are in place: Cunard has "enhanced" their onboard ventilation systems and implemented mandatory mask-wearing policies indoors. All guests aged 4 and older are required to have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding. Crew will be tested regularly while on board. Guests who have certain pre-existing medical conditions, including those who are on supplementary oxygen, will not be allowed to board.

Disney Cruise Line

Where they sail: Disney sails family-friendly journeys including to the Caribbean, Europe, and Alaska.

Who needs the vaccine: Vaccination is no longer required by highly suggested.

What other safety measures are in place: Unvaccinated guests must provide results of a COVID-19 test taken 1 to 2 days before sail date, at home tests are not accepted, this requirement will end Nov. 14. The Cruise line also has a full list of enhanced cleaning protocols.

Find out more: Disney Cruise Line

Grand Circle Cruise Line

Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot.

What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air (HEPA) filters and buffets have been eliminated. The cruise line states some itineraries will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel , and that instructors will be sent out 30 days prior to travel.

Find out mor e: Grand Circle Cruise Line

Holland America

Where they sail: Holland America sails large ships all over the world, including to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Europe, and more.

Who needs the vaccine: Unvaccinated guests are welcome but will be required to self-test three days before cruising.

What other safety measures are in place: Vaccinated passengers traveling on ships for less than 16 days excluding itineraries with the Panama Canal, trans-ocean, and other selected itineraries will no longer be required to test.

Lindblad Expeditions

Where they sail: Lindblad Expeditions is known for its adventurous trips to hard-to-reach destinations like Antarctica and the Russian Far East, partnering with National Geographic to add to the experience.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests 12 and older need to be vaccinated before boarding. Boosters are recommended but not required.

What other safety measures are in place: Pre-departure testing will not be required unless for a specific destination.

Margaritaville at Sea

Where they sail: Margaritaville at Sea offers 3-day cruises to Grand Bahama Island departing from the port of Palm Beach. The cruise line also offers the opportunity to take the ship one way to the Bahamas to allow guests to stay at the Margaritaville resort, and then take the ship back to the Bahamas at a later date.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are welcome regardless of vaccination status, according to the cruise line.

What other safety measures are in place: All crew members must be vaccinated for COVID-19 and the cruise line states there are vaccination requirements on board (but does not specify).

Find out more: Margaritaville at Sea

MSC Cruises

Where they sail: MSC Cruises sails large ocean cruises around the world, including throughout Europe, South America, the Persian Gulf, and the Caribbean. In August, the company started sailing to the Bahamas with a stop at its private island, Ocean Cay.

Who needs the vaccine: Vaccinations are recommended but no longer required.

What other safety measures are in place: Fully-vaccinated passengers are no longer required to show proof of a negative test unless it is required of the destination. Unvaccinated children must show proof of a negative PCR test.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Where they sail: Norwegian sails big ocean cruises all around the world, including popular itineraries all throughout the Caribbean and Greece.

Who needs the vaccine: All passengers may sail regardless of vaccination status.

What other safety measures are in place: Testing is no longer required for any passenger regardless of vaccination status with the exception of local government mandates.

Find out more : Norwegian Cruise Line

Oceania Cruises

Where they sail: Oceania Cruises sails all over the world, including offering several World Cruise itineraries.

Who needs the vaccine: All passengers regardless of vaccination status are allowed to sail.

What other safety measures are in place: Only unvaccinated guests will be required to show proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken 72 hours prior to boarding. Unvaccinated children aged 12 years and younger are exempt.

P&O Cruises

Where they sail: The UK-based cruise line sails around Europe, including to the Canary Islands, as well as to the Caribbean from Southampton in the UK.

Who needs the vaccine: Although P&O Cruises' policy states that passengers over the age of 15 are required to be vaccinated, the latest update on its website says guests will be contacted directly in regards to vaccination protocol.

What other safety measures are in place: All guests are required to undergo a COVID-19 test at the terminal. Masks will be required on board indoors, and all shore excursions will be with vetted operators.

Princess Cruises

Where they sail: The global cruise line sails large ocean ships all around the world, from Australia to Alaska.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are welcome on board, but unvaccinated passengers will be required to test and may need an additional medical exemption at some ports.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Where they sail: Regent Seven Seas offers all-inclusive luxury cruises around the globe, which include perks like free airfare, free excursions, and complimentary unlimited drinks on board.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are now welcome. Unvaccinated passengers will be required to test 3-days before embarkation.

What other safety measures are in place: Pre-departure testing may not be necessary depending on the port. Currently cruises leaving from Bermuda, Canada, and Greece will require a test.

Royal Caribbean International

Where they sail: Royal Caribbean sails large ocean ships all over the world, including many popular itineraries throughout the Caribbean and Asia.

Who needs the vaccine: Everyone is welcome regardless of vaccination status, passengers traveling to Bermuda or Canada are required to be vaccinated.

W hat other safety measures are in place: On Royal Caribbean, unvaccinated travelers 12 and older leaving from a U.S. or Caribbean port still have to get tested within three days of embarkation,  according to the cruise line , vaccinated guests are exempt.

Royal Caribbean will accept a variety of tests as proof to board, including simply taking a photo of a self-administered home test.

Find out more : Royal Caribbean International

Where they sail: The British cruise line, exclusively for guests 50 and older, sails both ocean and river cruises around the globe.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests must be fully vaccinated, including a booster shot at least 14 days before boarding a ship. Saga was the first major cruise line to implement this vaccination policy.

What other safety measures are in place: Ocean Cruise guests will be required to get tested for COVID-19 in the terminal. Masks are required on bus transfers, in hotels, and on excursions.

Find out more : Saga

Where they sail: Seabourn's mid-size luxury cruises head all around the world, from Alaska to the Caribbean.

Who needs the vaccine: Vaccinations are not required on most cruise itineraries, unvaccinated guests will be required to present a negative test taken within three days of embarkation.

What other safety measures are in place: Masks are recommended onboard in most indoor venues and the casinos are frequently sanitized.

Where they sail: Silversea brings guests all around the world in luxury and style , including to the Galapagos and Antarctica .

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are welcome, however, unvaccinated guests may not be welcome on all sailings depending on local regulations.

What other safety measures are in place: Vaccinated guests do not need a pre-departure test unless local regulations such as cruises leaving from Australia, Bermuda, Canada, or Greece require it. Unvaccinated travelers will need a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of embarkation.

UnCruise Adventures

Where they sail: This small-ship company is known for its Alaska journeys as well as adventures in places like the Galapagos and island hopping in Hawaii.

Who needs the vaccine: As of April 7, all guests are welcome on board regardless of vaccination status.

What other safety measures are in place: Guests will no longer be required to present proof of vaccination or a COVID-19 test prior to, or during any point of sailing and the cruise line will no longer be running at limited capacity. These measures go into effect on April 7, until then guests 12 and older must provide proof of vaccination, and itineraries may sail at less then full capacity.

Masks are required in public spaces, according to the company "bandana" and "buff" face masks will not be accepted.

Victory Cruise Lines

Where they sail: Victory Cruise Lines is known for its Great Lakes cruises, providing all-inclusive sailings to see breathtaking sights from Niagara Falls to the iconic architecture of Chicago from Lake Michigan. Beyond the U.S., Victory Cruise Lines sails to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew will be required to be vaccinated before boarding, and will be required to show physical proof prior to boarding.

What other safety measures are in place: Testing is no longer required on any river cruise.

Luggage is then disinfected before being brought onto the ship and staterooms cleaned with electrostatic fogging. Masks will be required during the embarkation process and while riding a shore excursion bus, but will not be required on board.

Viking Cruises

Where they sail: Viking sails ocean and river cruises all over the world, including throughout Europe. This summer, Viking will sail several voyages, including around England for UK residents, to Bermuda, and to Iceland in June.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests must be fully vaccinated to board a ship. Guests who are eligible must have a booster.

What other safety measures are in place: In addition to vaccines, all guests may be required to undergo a saliva PCR test at embarkation as well as "frequent" testing throughout the journey. All staterooms are equipped with independent air handling units.

Virgin Voyages

Where they sail: The brand-new cruise line is launching mini sailings from England for UK residents, and has cruises throughout the Caribbean, and transatlantic options.

Who needs the vaccine: All are welcome regardless of vaccination status, the cruise line removed all vaccine and testing requirements for all its ships in late October,  according to the company .

What other safety measures are in place: Virgin Voyages was the first cruise line to eliminate pre-departure testing for vaccinated guests. The cruise line will continue to work with an advisory board to help ensure health and safety on board at all times, including the use of air filtration systems and sanitization of high touch surface areas.

Find out more : Virgin Voyages

Windstar Cruises

Where they sail: Windstar operates small-ship cruises and several sailing vessels all around the globe, including to places like Central America .

Who needs the vaccine: All guests will be required to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before boarding one of Windstar's yachts. Boosters are highly encouraged and are recommended to be administered at least one week prior to travel.

What other safety measures are in place: Guests no longer need a pre-embarkation test unless a specific destination requires it.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

Related Articles

clock This article was published more than  2 years ago

Cruises are adding rules as delta cases surge. Here’s how to keep track.

From vaccine mandates to more masking, covid-era cruising is changing just as it started to set sail

Just as the cruise industry was starting to regain its footing, operators are having to change course as the highly transmissible delta variant sends coronavirus cases soaring again.

Most cruise lines are requiring the vast majority of passengers to be vaccinated, a status that allowed them to avoid extra testing and to enjoy most parts of a cruise without wearing a mask.

But in recent days, some of the world’s largest cruise lines have said that even passengers who are vaccinated will need to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test before boarding.

And some operators — including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line — are adding mask requirements for everyone in crowded indoor spaces such as elevators, shops and casinos.

The rapidly changing guidelines mean the rules that were in place when someone booked a cruise may not be the same ones passengers need to follow when they actually sail away.

So what do potential cruise passengers need to know before booking or boarding?

Six passengers on Royal Caribbean cruise test positive for covid despite vaccine requirement, testing

Cruise protocols are evolving quickly

Carnival Cruise Line said Wednesday that it was “adapting to the evolving public health situation” with its temporary changes to mask and testing requirements. The company requires most passengers to be fully vaccinated, with some exemptions available for children too young or adults who cannot get the shot.

In its announcement requiring everyone, including those who are vaccinated, to wear masks on elevators and in some other indoor areas starting Saturday, the cruise line pointed to similar measures in place in Las Vegas casinos, Broadway theaters and Disney theme parks. As of Aug. 14, Carnival is also requiring all passengers, regardless of vaccination status, to show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken within three days of boarding.

“These new requirements are being implemented to protect our guests and crew while on board, and to continue to provide confidence to our homeports and destinations that we are doing our part to support their efforts to protect public health and safety,” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement. “We expect these requirements will be temporary and appreciate the cooperation of our guests.”

Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, both part of Carnival Corp., are also requiring vaccinated passengers to test negative before boarding — either immediately or effective soon — and wear masks on elevators and in other indoor areas such as entertainment venues and shops.

This past week, Royal Caribbean International announced its own tweak, mandating that all passengers be tested before taking a cruise in the United States, whether they are vaccinated or not.

Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley wrote on his Facebook page that he realized the decision would comfort some guests — but also make many unhappy.

Covid will find its way onto cruises. The critical thing is what happens next.

“We are trying our very best to provide a safe and healthy and fun vacation for all our guests our crew and the communities we visit during these challenging times,” he wrote.

For U.S. cruises leaving Friday through Sept. 6, all Celebrity Cruises passengers over the age of 2 — even if vaccinated — will also need to hand over a negative coronavirus test at boarding.

When protocols change, operators are emailing those updates to booked passengers and making the new information public online.

All cruise lines have dedicated health and safety pages, from Carnival’s “Have Fun. Be Safe.” page to Royal Caribbean’s “Healthy Sail Center,” Norwegian’s “ Sail Safe ” site, Princess Cruises’ “ Cruise Health ” page and Celebrity’s “ Healthy at Sea ” section. Many of those sites link to specific departure ports for details on vaccination and testing requirements, mask mandates and other rules.

Ships get color-coded based on their covid cases

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , more than a third of the 64 ships that are operating or seeking to operate in U.S. waters have had a reported case of the virus on board in the last week or so. Of those, at least 13 are now sailing with paying guests on board.

On a CDC table that was last updated Thursday, ships can be designated as green, orange, yellow, red or gray on the site. Orange means a vessel has reported cases of coronavirus in the past seven days but has not met the threshold for a CDC investigation; yellow means the ship has met the parameters for an investigation.

If a ship moves to red, that means the number of cases in the past seven days is “at or above” the threshold for passenger and crew infections.

“Based on CDC’s investigation, additional precautions, such as returning to port immediately or delaying the next voyage, will be taken if it is suspected that continuing normal operations may subject on board travelers or newly arriving travelers to disease,” the CDC says on the site, referring to ships designated as red.

But detailed information (or sometimes any information) about those infections can be hard to come by, depending on the cruise line. Operators are rarely releasing information about positive cases, though many are offering statements when questioned by reporters.

Carnival’s new mask policy went into place early — on Wednesday night — aboard Carnival Vista, where the company is “managing a small number of positive cases on board,” spokesman Vance Gulliksen said in an email. He would not say how many cases, whether the passengers were vaccinated or what their condition was. The ship is sailing from Galveston, Tex.

“We have identified and tested close contacts and anyone who tested positive is in isolation,” the statement said. He said the voyage would continue as planned.

Carnival Vista’s status is listed as “yellow” on the CDC table .

Norwegian Cruise sues Florida over DeSantis ban on vaccine passports

As of Thursday, the ships on the CDC’s site were listed as either green, orange or yellow. According to the CDC, further information about cases on board would need to come from the cruise lines.

But cruise companies including Carnival, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Royal Caribbean International did not provide information in response to questions about most of their ships that were listed as orange or yellow.

Cruise lines have said they anticipate positive cases on board; their protocols are meant to keep those cases isolated and prevent outbreaks.

Celebrity Cruises spokeswoman Susan Lomax said its three passenger ships on the chart — all listed as yellow — had either already returned to green and had not yet been updated on the chart or were about to return to green on Friday. Celebrity and Royal Caribbean have consistently provided detailed statements and information about positive cases on ships in response to questions since their ships started sailing again in North America in June.

Bayley, the Royal Caribbean CEO, has even posted updates on his public Facebook page about positive cases and new rules.

“Even with the vast majority of our onboard population highly vaccinated we are seeing more covid positive cases with vaccinated guests,” he wrote last week after six passengers on a Bahamas cruise tested positive.

Still, for everyday cruisers who don’t have access to press contacts, it can be difficult to dig up specific information.

The newest status on cruise ships: Being vaccinated

Attorney Jim Walker, who runs the Cruise Law News blog, said he checks media sources and sets up alerts for specific search terms. But short of that, he said, people who are planning a cruise don’t have a lot of options to research the situation on board.

“The CDC color tracking system seems to be a good place to start, but it doesn’t really give you the true details,” he said.

How to spot the CDC rule followers

A ship will be marked as gray if the operator chooses not to follow the CDC’s conditional sailing order — a set of rules that ships needed to follow to start sailing again after shutting down last year — on a voluntary basis. The CDC order required 95 percent of crew and guests to be vaccinated, among other rules.

A Florida lawsuit challenged the CDC’s authority earlier this year, and a judge agreed in June that the agency had overreached. As of late July, the CDC’s rules became mere recommendations for cruises in Florida.

According to CDC spokeswoman Caitlin Shockey, cruise lines that are on the color-coded chart have all confirmed that they are following the order. She said one that is expecting to start visiting Miami soon, Crystal Serenity, is in discussion with the agency about compliance.

A Crystal statement said the company is “complying with all CDC onboard recommendations and guidelines” for the ship, which is sailing in the Bahamas, except for a requirement to be out of service for two weeks. “We continue to have an open and good dialogue with CDC on this matter,” the statement said.

If any ships were to be marked as gray, they would still have to report cases of illness or death and be subject to inspection. They also could be detained if sanitary measures were necessary to prevent the “introduction, transmission or spread of communicable diseases,” the CDC said.

In a statement, the CDC said that due to the phased approach of the conditional sailing order — which includes testing plans and onboard protocols — the agency “is confident that cruising can resume safely under the [order].”

“These factors, in addition to the availability of covid-19 vaccines, make it unlikely that a ship will need to return to port due to a covid-19 outbreak,” the statement said.

• Expeditions

Viking Health & Safety Program

• Health & Safety Program Health & Safety Program
• PRE-DEPARTURE PCR TEST PRE-DEPARTURE PCR TEST
• Expert Health Partners
• Health & Safety FAQ Health & Safety FAQ
• Health & Safety Program
• PRE-DEPARTURE PCR TEST
• Health & Safety FAQ

As the leading small ship cruise line, Viking takes you closer to the heart of the places you want to visit. For more than 23 years, we have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness, and our new protocol enhancements make Viking even safer. Developed in coordination with an international team of scientific and medical advisors, the Viking Health & Safety Program is one of the most well-researched and comprehensive COVID-19 prevention and mitigation plans in the travel industry.

• Frequent quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests for all guests and crew, processed in full-scale Viking-dedicated laboratories
• New air purification technology installed on all Viking ships, which have always featured independent air handling units for all guest staterooms
• Additional health checks, sanitization and physical distancing to protect Viking guests and crew at all points of the journey

Message from our Chairman

On December 8, 2020, Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen introduced the new Viking Health & Safety Program and discussed the research that has informed the basis for our protocol enhancements.

Viking Health & Safety Program – Updated October 15, 2021

The information included here should be considered current for all guests. Specific protocols and procedures may evolve over time to adapt to various conditions or travel regulations in the destinations in which we operate. Please continue to check this site for the most up-to-date version of the Viking Health & Safety Program.

Health & Safety FAQ

Does viking require guests to be vaccinated.

Beginning on May 22, 2021 with the official restart of limited operations in the United Kingdom—and remaining in effect at least through at least September 30, 2021—all Viking sailings will be available exclusively for vaccinated guests.

Viking is requiring vaccinations among all guests in accordance with entry rules in many of the destinations that will welcome Viking ships—and as a complement to our new health and safety protocol enhancements, which were designed to protect guests and crew even while the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is still moving forward. Viking’s medical and operations teams will continue to monitor vaccination rates and entry requirements—and will adjust our protocol and policies as needed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew.

How long will the vaccine requirement for guests remain in effect?

Currently, we will require vaccinations among guests for sailings scheduled to depart at least through September 30, 2021. Viking’s medical and operations teams will continue to monitor vaccination rates and entry requirements—and will adjust our protocol and policies as needed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew.

Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test before traveling to a Viking Ship?

Viking does not require our guests to take a COVID-19 test before departing from home. Depending on your dates of travel, Viking may require a PCR test as part of the process of embarking your ship. This quick and easy non-invasive PCR test will be conducted via simple saliva sample in a plastic tube and processed in a full-scale Viking-dedicated laboratory.

However, entry requirements can and do vary by country, so guests should be sure to visit the Viking website and read the Pre-Cruise Requirements found under the Resources tab of their itinerary, in addition to following all guidelines that may be provided by email and/or on MyVikingJourney.com .

arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh

You say guests will be tested frequently during the cruise. What type of COVID-19 test will be conducted and how is the test performed?

Viking will use PCR testing, as this is considered the best type of test to detect the virus. The quick and easy non-invasive PCR test will be conducted by simple saliva sample in a small plastic tube, delivered to guests in their stateroom. After guests provide the saliva sample in the tube, they will package the tube in a provided plastic pouch, and a crew member will collect the sample for processing.

How frequently will guests be tested?

Quick and easy PCR tests will be conducted prior to embarkation and on an ongoing, regular basis throughout an itinerary, dependent on prevalence levels from both our guests’ country of origin and the destinations to which we will sail.

Are crew tested as frequently as guests?

All Viking crew will be tested at the same or higher frequency as our guests.

What happens if a guest tests positive for COVID-19 at embarkation?

Guests with a positive COVID-19 test at embarkation will be given a second test to validate the first. If the second test confirms COVID-19, Viking will arrange for the guest to recover ashore before returning home once their recovery is complete. Upon their return home, Viking Customer Relations will contact the guest and their travel advisor directly regarding any necessary refunding or rescheduling.

What happens if a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while on their Viking cruise?

Guests with a positive COVID-19 test will be isolated on board and then disembarked at the first opportunity for quarantine at an appropriate facility ashore. A second test will be performed to validate the first test. If the second test confirms COVID-19, we will arrange for the guest to recover ashore before returning home once their recovery is complete. Upon their return home, Viking Customer Relations will contact the guest and their travel advisor directly regarding any necessary refunding or rescheduling.

What happens if there are a large number of COVID-19 cases on board my ship?

Viking’s Health & Safety Program is focused on the prevention and mitigation of COVID-19. Our research shows that because Viking will test all guests and crew daily, the risk of a large number of guests or crew falling ill is very low. However, we plan for all scenarios – and we have contingency plans in place should this unlikely scenario arise.

COVID-19 is known to spread through the air. How is the air treated onboard Viking ships?

Our fleet of modern, small ocean and river ships feature independent air handling units, which means each stateroom has “fresh” external air that is not shared with other staterooms or public spaces. Just like in a hospital, we have also designed a solution to implement short-wavelength ultraviolet (or UV-C) lights and new high-density filters that will sanitize the air on our vessels. This solution will ensure that:

• 99.99% of viruses and bacteria in the air are killed.
• We maximize the possible number of air changes.
• We provide a risk-free solution for the crew when cleaning filters, as viruses are killed and not simply trapped in the filters.

How frequently do you sanitize my stateroom?

Every stateroom is cleaned and sanitized daily. In addition, every stateroom goes through a “deep-cleaning” sanitization process between each cruise.

How frequently do you sanitize public spaces such as the restaurants?

Restaurants are sanitized between every service; all other public spaces are fully sanitized at a minimum every 24 hours, with high touchpoints sanitized more frequently every day.

Will I be required to wear a face mask while on board?

Face masks may be required for all guests and crew while moving about the ship, depending on conditions at time of sailing.

Will I be required to wear a face mask when going ashore?

Viking may require guests and staff to wear a face mask while ashore, depending on local requirements.

Will there be social distancing on board?

We have set up all of our public spaces, including restaurants and lounges, for appropriate social distancing.

Is there a difference between what I can expect on a Viking ocean ship and a Viking river ship?

Our Viking Health & Safety Program is the same across our fleet of ocean and river vessels. Viking ocean and river ships, however, differ in size and number of venues. As such, guests traveling on either an ocean or river ship may experience minor day-to-day variations in how we implement our overall program.

Does Viking’s Travel Protection Plan cover COVID-19 costs (e.g., medical treatment, quarantine, repatriation, etc.)?

Yes, our Travel Protection Plan helps protect you from many unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, which could include necessary medical, quarantine or repatriation expenses related to COVID-19.

Sign up to receive updates from Viking

Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content.

Company Information

• Order a Brochure
• Travel Advisors
• Media Center
• Investor Relations
• Health & Safety Program
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Manage Cookies

Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
• North America
• Caribbean & Central America
• South America
• Mediterranean
• Quiet Season Mediterranean
• Australia & New Zealand
• World Cruises
• Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises

August 31, 2022

Silversea cruises ® adjusts covid-19 protocols to welcome all luxury travelers.

The leading ultra-luxury cruise line removes vaccine requirements and pre-embarkation testing for vaccinated travelers

(MONACO – August 31, 2022) Silversea Cruises is poised to welcome back all luxury travelers aboard its fleet of ultra-luxury ships with adjusted COVID-19 protocols that align closely with many land-based travel options. Effective September 5, Silversea Cruises will welcome all travelers on board its ships regardless of vaccination status where local regulations allow.

Silversea Cruises has also adjusted its COVID-19 testing requirements. Where local regulations allow, vaccinated travelers will not be required to take a COVID-19 test prior to embarkation. Unvaccinated travelers may sail aboard Silversea ships by providing proof of a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test within 72 hours prior to embarkation.

Testing and vaccination requirements may differ for select destinations based on local regulations, including but not limited to Australia, Canada and Greece. Where tests are required, all guests must provide proof of a negative test result (printed or digital) at embarkation and should travel with a copy of their test result. Guests should always check local COVID-19 regulations prior to booking a voyage with Silversea. Silversea will advise booked guests and their travel advisors of any relevant local COVID-19 requirements within 30 days prior to sailing.

Silversea Cruises journeys to more than 900 destinations across the globe. The company’s new COVID-19 policies will allow more travelers to experience the wanderlust of traveling the world in Silversea’s unparalleled luxury and comfort. Click here to learn more about Silversea’s Healthy Return to Sailing Program.

To book an ultra-luxury voyage with Silversea Cruises call a travel advisor or visit Silversea.com .

About Silversea Cruises Silversea Cruises  is recognized as an innovator in the ultra-luxury cruise industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels:  Silver Dawn ℠,  Silver Shadow ℠,  Silver Whisper ®,  Silver Spirit ®,  Silver Muse ®, and  Silver Moon ℠ – all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ships  Silver Endeavour ℠ ,   Silver Origin®,   Silver Wind®,   Silver Explorer®,  and  Silver Cloud®,  Silversea's itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Galápagos, both Polar Regions, and hundreds of fascinating destinations in between. Silversea is also looking forward to the launch of two new ultra-luxury Nova-class ships— Silver Nova ℠ and  Silver Ray ℠. Silversea Cruises is one of five cruise brands owned by global cruise company Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL).

About Royal Caribbean Group Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is one of the leading cruise companies in the world with a global fleet of 64 ships traveling to approximately 1,000 destinations around the world. Royal Caribbean Group is the owner and operator of three award-winning cruise brands:  Royal Caribbean International ,  Celebrity Cruises , and  Silversea Cruises , and it is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Together, the brands have an additional 10 ships on order as of June 30, 2022. Learn more at  www.royalcaribbeangroup.com  or  www.rclinvestor.com .

Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise issue warning for cruise fans

D uring the Covid era, when all major cruise lines were essentially shut down, it seemed somewhat unlikely that cruising would make a full comeback. During that period, cruise lines had to offer massive deals to entice people to book theoretical cruises that might happen at some point in the future.

Royal Caribbean offered low prices and double loyalty points as a way to get its most loyal passengers to come back onboard. The theory at the time was that just getting some passengers onboard when the industry was allowed to resume sailing would show others that taking a cruise was safe.

Related: Carnival Cruise Line shares a key onboard smoking rule

That was a challenging proposition as Covid did show many Americans how quickly a virus could spread in a closed environment. It seemed logical that some ardent cruisers would be wary to return even with vaccines and the many improvements to shipboard cleaning and air filtration.

There was a day when it seemed like Covid would teach Americans that we are all only as healthy as the person making our meal. It seemed like things like mandatory sick days, and basic health precautions would become something that would become the norm simply because that would keep us all healthier. 

That did not happen and while the cruise industry has adopted stronger cleaning and health protocols, the broader world has not. Cruise passengers, while they may have been wary at first, have come roaring back and that's a mixed blessing for anyone looking to cruise.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival have record success

When you sail on a Royal Caribbean or Carnival Cruise Line ( CCL ) cruise ship these days, there are very few signs that Covid ever happened. There are more hand sanitizer stations and you do still see some passengers wearing masks. Some ships still have some outdated signs about social distancing, but mostly, ships are full, people are crowded together, and Covid seems like a distant memory 

The cruise industry has bounced back better than expected and faster than anyone what imagine, That's something Carnival CEO Josh Weinstein addressed during his company's first-quarter earnings call .

"The first quarter has been fantastic across the board and yet another set of records. We delivered record revenues, record bookings, and record customer deposits again this quarter, a great start to the year," he shared. 

Prices, he noted, are higher and ships are sailing with more passengers.,

"Yields increased over 17% year over year, another record, and more than double the increase in unit costs. This was driven, not only by closing the occupancy gap but also through solid mid-single-digit price increases," he added.

Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.

Those numbers, which are similar to what Royal Caribbean reported, are great for the company and its shareholders, but they send a warning message to people looking to book a cruise.

Royal Caribbean's ships are filling into 2026

Cruise lines have capacity constraints based on how many rooms they have available to sell. When the cabins are sold, they're gone, and there's no way to quickly create more availability. That means that as ships start to fill up, prices go up as the available rooms become more scarce.  

Royal Caribbean CEO Jason Liberty shared some positive news about his company's booking pattern during its first-quarter earnings call .

"Guests are making their decisions much further out. When we look at the repeat rates that are going on and the dreaming that our guests are doing to make sure that they're getting the vacation experience that they want is really all leading to very, very strong demand trends for 2024 as well as 2025. And by the way, we're also taking bookings into 2026," he said.

With both companies reporting strong advance bookings, that means that passengers will likely be paying higher prices in most cases. Liberty also noted that passengers are making some added-fee booking choices, like specialty dining, drink packages, internet, and excursions, earlier.

Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.

"We're also seeing very strong booking behavior pre-cruise. And again, making sure that our guests are, have the ability to get the first day of their vacation back by planning their onboard activities and shore excursion activities well in advance. And that's also not only helping our ability to yield manage on the onboard experience, but it's also improving our customer deposits, which is also rising due to that," he added.

China's Industrial Profits Rise 4.3% in Jan-April, Unchanged From Q1

China's Industrial Profits Rise 4.3% in Jan-April, Unchanged From Q1

Workers wearing face masks following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak load steel products for export to a cargo ship at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China May 27, 2020. China Daily via REUTERS/File Photo

BEIJING (Reuters) - Profits at China's industrial firms rose 4.3% in the first four months from the same period last year, official data showed on Monday.

The jump followed a 4.3% increase in the first quarter and a slew of divergent activity data for April, according to National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data.

Industrial profit numbers cover firms with annual revenue of at least 20 million yuan ($2.76 million) from their main operations.

($1 = 7.2388 Chinese yuan)

(Reporting by Qiaoyi Li and Ryan Woo; Editing by Sonali Paul and Himani Sarkar)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

The Best Financial Tools for You

Credit Cards

Personal Loans

Comparative assessments and other editorial opinions are those of U.S. News and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by any other entities, such as banks, credit card issuers or travel companies. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter to get investing advice, rankings and stock market news.

See a newsletter example .

You May Also Like

7 best long-term stocks to buy.

Glenn Fydenkevez May 24, 2024

What Is Par Value for Stocks and Bonds?

Coryanne Hicks May 24, 2024

11 Top Sector ETFs to Buy

Jeff Reeves May 24, 2024

Stock Market Holidays in 2024

Daniel J. Lee May 24, 2024

George Soros' 6 Top Stock Picks

Brian O'Connell May 23, 2024

5 Best Undervalued Blue-Chip Stocks

Glenn Fydenkevez May 23, 2024

15 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy for 2024

Ian Bezek May 23, 2024

7 Best Semiconductor ETFs to Buy in 2024

Tony Dong May 23, 2024

Best Investments for 2024

Kate Stalter May 23, 2024

7 Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Jeff Reeves May 22, 2024

6 Best Biotech Stocks to Buy for 2024

Wayne Duggan May 22, 2024

Bill Gates Portfolio: 7 Best Stocks

Brian O'Connell May 22, 2024

Top Fidelity Funds for Retirement

Tony Dong May 22, 2024

7 Stocks That Outperform in a Recession

8 Best High-Yield REITs to Buy

Tony Dong May 21, 2024

Elon Musk's Record of Overpromising

Wayne Duggan May 21, 2024

What Are Magnificent 7 Stocks?

9 Biggest Financial Fraud Cases

Brian O'Connell May 21, 2024

6 Best Vanguard Funds for Retirement

Coryanne Hicks May 21, 2024

Sell in May and Go Away in 2024?

Dmytro Spilka May 20, 2024

• My View My View
• Following Following
• Saved Saved

Who is Andrei Belousov, Putin's choice as defence minister?

• Medium Text

Sign up here.

Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Chris Reese

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

The Russian-held city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine came under attack twice within three hours early on Tuesday, officials said, the latest in a series of strikes near the city.

World Chevron

Peru's president faces constitutional complaint in Rolex case

Peru's attorney general's office on Monday presented a constitutional complaint against President Dina Boluarte in a case involving her use of luxury watches, which has become a national scandal.

Take the Quiz: Find the Best State for You »

What's the best state for you », russia says eu will feel 'full measure' of retaliation over frozen assets plan.

Russia Says EU Will Feel 'Full Measure' of Retaliation Over Frozen Assets Plan

FILE PHOTO: Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova attends the congress of the International Russophile Movement in Moscow, Russia March 14, 2023. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The European Union will feel the "full measure" of Russian retaliation over its plan to use income from frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

EU countries have formally adopted a plan to use windfall profits from Russian central bank assets frozen in the EU for Ukraine's defence, the Belgian government said on Tuesday.

Russia says such action is illegal and undermines the foundations of the global financial system.

"We are talking about another attempt to legitimise theft at state level," Zakharova told reporters, saying the EU had shown it could not be considered a reliable jurisdiction for investors.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Thursday that immobilised Russian assets represent a potential source of support for Ukraine through 2025 and beyond.

G7 negotiators have been discussing for weeks how to best exploit some $300 billion worth of Russian financial assets, such as major currencies and government bonds, which were frozen shortly after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

The United States is pushing to find a way to bring forward the future income from those assets, either through issuing a bond or more likely granting Ukraine a loan that it says could provide it with as much as $50 billion in the near term.

Russia has threatened retaliation for weeks, but Moscow's options are limited when it comes to sovereign assets and it is not clear what form any retribution might take.

The Latest Photos From Ukraine

Russia's ability to mete out like-for-like retaliation if Western leaders seize its frozen assets has been eroded by dwindling foreign investment, but it may go after private investors' cash instead.

(Writing by Felix Light and Alexander Marrow; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

Photos You Should See - May 2024

Join the Conversation

Tags: Ukraine , Russia , United States , Asia , European Union , international trade , Europe

America 2024

Health News Bulletin

Stay informed on the latest news on health and COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report.

Sign in to manage your newsletters »

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

You May Also Like

The 10 worst presidents.

U.S. News Staff Feb. 23, 2024

Cartoons on President Donald Trump

Feb. 1, 2017, at 1:24 p.m.

Photos: Obama Behind the Scenes

April 8, 2022

Photos: Who Supports Joe Biden?

March 11, 2020

U.S. Military Deaths, by War

Elliott Davis Jr. May 25, 2024

Takeaways From the NCAA’s Settlement

Laura Mannweiler May 24, 2024

Noncitizen Voting: the Fiction and Facts

Aneeta Mathur-Ashton May 24, 2024

Quiz: Who Said What in Trump’s Trial?

U.S. News Staff May 24, 2024

CDC: COVID-19 Strains Are on the Rise

Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder May 24, 2024

Consumers See Worsening Job Market

Tim Smart May 24, 2024