Carnival Brands to Relax Covid Mask Wearing Protocols.

Carnival Corporation has confirmed its cruise brands will opt into new US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Covid protocols when operating in the US.

From 1 March, masks will be recommended but not mandatory onboard Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Seabourn and Princess Cruises voyages, although they may be needed for certain venues and events.

 

Carnival Cruise Line said it will continue to meet the standard of vaccinated cruises, but children under five would not be included in any vaccinated guest calculation and will not be required to receive an exemption to sail. The brand said it would also allow “additional flexibility” in pre-cruise testing requirements.

 

President Christine Duffy said: “The public health situation has continued to improve, providing confidence about these changes. Our protocols will evolve as we continue to remain dedicated to protecting the public health of our guests, crew and the communities we visit.”

Princess president John Padgett added: “Princess has proven cruise vacations are safe and healthy for our guests and teams. Going forward, Princess is prepared to adjust operating protocols to ensure our guests have amazing vacations while always protecting the safety of our guests, team members and destinations.

 

"We appreciate the ongoing collaboration among multiple government agencies as well as the support of Alaska officials and other delegations.”

Americans have been warned to avoid cruising – irrespective of their vaccination status

P&O Britannia in the Caribbean, photo credit Spacejunkie2

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday (30 December) strengthened its advice for cruising, upping its warning for cruise travel to level four – its highest level.

The CDC said Covid-19 was continuing to spread quickly in confined spaces, such as on a ship, and said the likelihood of infection was therefore high.

It also said there had been an increase in cases onboard cruise ships following the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, now known to be significantly more transmissible than earlier variants.

The CDC is recommending cruise passengers get tested up to 72 hours prior to embarkation, and again three to five days into their cruise – regardless of their vaccination status.

It is also urging unvaccinated cruise passengers to self-isolate for a week after disembarking.

The health authority is currently monitoring Covid-19 outbreaks on 92 cruise ships, up from 86 earlier this week.

It is colour-coding ships according to evidence of "sustained transmission" of Covid onboard; currently, no ships have been marked red.