On Wednesday, under a set of standards announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cruise operators who want to resume routine operations must first seek permission for a two- to seven-day simulated cruise with volunteer passengers to help test; whether the ships will sail safely after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Capt. John Murray, Director of Port Canaveral, characterized the new set of guidelines as "terrible." According to him, "If you do a two-day (excursion), they might make you do a second one. So, it's kind of crazy, but it is what it is, we're all working through it, and we're going to do our best to work with the cruise lines and get up and running again" [1]
Volunteer Passengers
Each practice cruise must have enough volunteer passengers aged 18 and up to fill at least 10% of the ship's capacity. Volunteers must be completely vaccinated or free of medical problems that place them at high risk of extreme COVID-19.
Volunteer passengers who cannot provide proof of complete vaccination must provide "written evidence from a health-care professional or self-certified declaration that the volunteer passenger has no medical conditions that would put the volunteer at high risk for extreme COVID-19 as determined by CDC guidance," according to the agency's guidelines. [1]
The Guidelines Must be Followed
Face masks and social distancing would be among the restrictions on board. The CDC will allow guided shore excursions, rather than wandering around on their own, if tour operators meet certain criteria.
Cruise Line May Cease Operations in Florida
Cruise lines, as well as Florida government officials, have pressed the CDC to inform them of what they need to do to restore regular operations. A famous cruise line may cease operations in Florida as a result of Gov. Ron DeSantis' executive order prohibiting companies, colleges, and government agencies from requiring evidence of COVID-19 vaccinations.
The CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the world's third-largest cruise company, commented while on earnings call on Thursday, according to the Miami Herald.
Likely to Resume by Mid July
The CDC action is a step toward resuming cruises in US waters, likely by July, for the first time since they were halted in March 2020 due to the pandemic.
Port Canaveral and Victory Casino are holding a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Monday to protect as many people as possible in the cruise industry. Americans who want to go sailing will have other options, as Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed in April that it would relaunch three of its ships after a one-year contagion hiatus, with plans to resume sailings in the Greek islands and the Caribbean in late July and August.
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