Because of the end of the pandemic, the CDC will no longer report coronavirus cases for U.S. cruise ships.
The CDC announced on July 18 that the COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships had concluded. Although cruise lines are required to report case counts to the CDC, the CDC will no longer post a color-coded chart showing the extent of COVID transmission by ship or the status of each individual ship.
How Dangerous Would a Cruise Be During the BA.5 Wave?
As of July 16th, the CDC reports that nearly 80% of all COVID-19 cases in the United States are due to the BA.5 Omicron subvariant.
Since BA.5 is more contagious than previous variants, Dr. Brown warns that the risk of COVID-19 spreading indoors and outdoors, especially on a crowded deck or pool, is higher in a crowded cruise environment where people are not wearing masks.
Even though there have been fewer reports of COVID-19 outbreaks on cruise ships, she said they are still occurring. Since cruise ships carry so many people and move from port to port, "it would be very easy for outbreaks to occur" on such a trip.
Dr. Malka agrees, saying, "there would be a significant risk of COVID infection when embarking on a cruise (or any vacation that involves crowds, is not requiring masks and distancing, and is not tracking cases) given the significant increase in COVID cases and severity with the BA.5 wave."
Dr. Malka warns potential cruise passengers to think carefully about whether or not they feel safe traveling in a closed environment where no testing is being done and where others may be spreading the virus unwittingly. Those who are highly susceptible to COVID complications or who wish to avoid infection should also think twice before booking a cruise that has not implemented rigorous COVID safety protocols and testing.
Dr. Brown warns that if cruise lines aren't adhering to very strict standards for COVID-19 safety, the lack of oversight could make cruise travel riskier. The benefits of seeing amazing sights and living the cruiser's dream have to be weighed against the potential dangers of getting sick while away from home.
Tips for Cruising Safety
When embarking on a cruise, passengers have a responsibility to ensure their own and others' safety. Before booking a cruise, it's a good idea to read up on the measures taken by that line to combat the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Although the CDC no longer mandates COVID-19 testing, Dr. Malka noted that some cruise lines might.
To be as safe as possible from COVIDs while cruising, or if you can't find a cruise line that does, Drs. Malka and Brown recommend the following precautions. Those are:
It is recommended that masks be worn at all times when in a public or crowded area, whether inside or out.
Participating in outdoor pursuits, ones with relatively few participants, or those that put one at a social remove.
Outdoor eating and drinking when the weather permits.
Picking to get the COVID-19 vaccine and keeping up with booster shots for at least two weeks before setting sail.
Using soap and water or hand sanitizer on a regular basis to clean your hands.
In addition to avoiding alcohol, Dr. Malka recommends a healthy diet and plenty of sleep to strengthen the immune system and reduce the likelihood of illness while traveling.
Dr. Brown advised, "I would also recommend that cruise travelers take the same precautions at each port of call."
"Cruise ships have access to guidance and tools to manage their own COVID-19 mitigation programs," the CDC stated online. The CDC will keep publishing guidelines to ensure that cruise ships remain a safe and healthy environment for their crew, passengers, and communities despite the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
The agency also explained that it canceled the program because it required uniformity in COVID-19 screening testing procedures across cruise lines, which may no longer be the case.
Will This Threaten Passenger Safety on Cruise Ships Carrying COVID-19?
In an interview with Health, Sherrill Brown, MD, medical director of infection prevention at AltaMed Health Services, said that the CDC's decision to end the COVID-19 program would allow cruise lines to establish their own COVID-19 policies.
Dr. Brown has stated that the COVID safety precautions may vary from cruise line to cruise line, making some cruise lines safer than others.
A lack of publicly available coronavirus data for cruise travel means that prospective passengers "will no longer be able to tell if one cruise line or another has a better track record of reducing COVID cases on board," according to Dr. Brown.
According to Health, Terez Malka, MD, an emergency medicine physician and pediatrician at K Health, said that this shift could make it easier for people to go on cruises because some companies will drop requirements like testing before embarking and while on board.
Although some cruise lines may require quarantine if you exhibit symptoms and test positive, she reassured customers that they might not need to do so in most cases.
However, as Dr. Malka pointed out, "this also means that cruise travel will be less safe for those that are trying to avoid areas with high volumes of COVID infections," as neither passengers nor crew will be aware of the COVID infection rate on board.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assured passengers, however, that they can "contact their cruise line directly" to learn more about COVID-19 protocols before their cruise.
"Tourists should do their research and have faith that the cruise line they select is taking all the necessary safety measures and being forthright about any outbreaks on board," Dr. Brown advised.
How Dangerous Would a Cruise Be During the BA.5 Wave?
As of July 16th, the CDC reports that nearly 80% of all COVID-19 cases in the United States are due to the BA.5 Omicron subvariant.
Since BA.5 is more contagious than previous variants, Dr. Brown warns that the risk of COVID-19 spreading indoors and outdoors, especially on a crowded deck or pool, is higher in a crowded cruise environment where people are not wearing masks.
Even though there have been fewer reports of COVID-19 outbreaks on cruise ships, she said they are still occurring. Since cruise ships carry so many people and move from port to port, "it would be very easy for outbreaks to occur" on such a trip.
Dr. Malka agrees, saying, "there would be a significant risk of COVID infection when embarking on a cruise (or any vacation that involves crowds, is not requiring masks and distancing, and is not tracking cases) given the significant increase in COVID cases and severity with the BA.5 wave."
Dr. Malka warns potential cruise passengers to think carefully about whether or not they feel safe traveling in a closed environment where no testing is being done and where others may be spreading the virus unwittingly. Those who are highly susceptible to COVID complications or who wish to avoid infection should also think twice before booking a cruise that has not implemented rigorous COVID safety protocols and testing.
Dr. Brown warns that if cruise lines aren't adhering to very strict standards for COVID-19 safety, the lack of oversight could make cruise travel riskier. The benefits of seeing amazing sights and living the cruiser's dream have to be weighed against the potential dangers of getting sick while away from home.
Tips for Cruising Safety
When embarking on a cruise, passengers have a responsibility to ensure their own and others' safety. Before booking a cruise, it's a good idea to read up on the measures taken by that line to combat the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Although the CDC no longer mandates COVID-19 testing, Dr. Malka noted that some cruise lines might.
To be as safe as possible from COVIDs while cruising, or if you can't find a cruise line that does, Drs. Malka and Brown recommend the following precautions. Those are:
- Mask use in all crowded or public settings, both inside and out.
- Participating in out-of-door pursuits, ones with relatively few other participants, or ones that put one at a social remove.
- Having meals and drinks outside whenever possible.
- Initiating and maintaining a schedule of COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots beginning at least two weeks before setting sail.
- Use of soap and water or hand sanitizer on a regular basis.
In addition to avoiding alcohol, Dr. Malka recommends a healthy diet and plenty of sleep to strengthen the immune system and reduce the likelihood of illness while traveling.
Dr. Brown advised, "I would also recommend that cruise travelers take the same precautions at each port of call."
