Cruise ships sailing from the United States have reported a total of 1,359 COVID-19 cases between June 26 and October 21. This is based on the data confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The total of 1,359 COVID-19 cases include both passengers and crew members over this four-month period and accounted for a minuscule percentage of the nearly 600,000 passengers who sailed from U.S. ports between June and October according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Amidst the changing pandemic protocols, cruise lines have resumed sailing and have enjoyed a quick boost of passengers recently. Geneva-based MSC Cruises, which has three ships that sail from Florida, has seen a recent uptick in international bookings for travelers looking to go to popular destinations like the Caribbean.
The new policies onboard include frequent testing and face mask policies as well as COVID-19 vaccine requirements based on the cruise line. The industry as a whole continues to update its health and safety protocols to help stop the spread and any super spreaders.
The most recent update to the conditional sailing order (CSO) from the CDC includes ‘minor modifications until January 15, 2022. Following this date, the orders will for now transition to a voluntary program.
Per other reports, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO Frank Del Rio has stated although the number of cases is not ideal but reminds cruise travelers that the number of cases recently experienced is well below the general population percentage.
Royal Caribbean also confirmed with its third-quarter business update similar data that their coronavirus rate was a mere 0.03 percent, reporting just 150 cases for as many as half a million passengers.