COVID is again a dominant topic of conversation as the country continues to see increases in cases with the omicron variant to have expected massive spread in the coming months. And at the same time as the increase in cases on land, the number of COVID cases reported on cruise ships is rising again.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been working with global public health experts and industry partners to learn more about Omicron, spokesman Dave Daigle told USA TODAY on Thursday. “We’re still learning how easily it spreads, how severe the disease is, and how readily available vaccines and drugs work against it.”
While it is unclear whether the cruise industry could close again like it did in March 2020, it doesn’t seem likely.
With the news that cruises have more cases on board and ports of call are making their own arrangements like we’ve seen on ships like that Carnival Freedom from Carnival Cruise Line and Odyssey of the Seas by Royal Caribbean International, travelers can weigh up whether to continue or postpone their cruise plans. Let’s go through what you need to be aware of.
The decision to cancel or not can be personal
Cruzely.com Founder Tanner Callais told USA TODAY that he considered the decision to be personal and based on “risk tolerance”.
“Assuming you are otherwise healthy, you might think that it is okay to sail,” he continued. “There are risks, but we’ve seen that there are risks in every group of people, be it in a restaurant, an amusement park or a stadium, every group setting I can think of.”
But, he added, others may want to cancel if they have underlying medical conditions, aren’t vaccinated, or are in contact with other people who may be at risk.
“I have personally taken several cruises since she returned, but I will wait a month or two before sailing for the situation to calm down,” Callais said. “With daily contact with a family member who has health problems, I don’t think it can hurt to postpone travel until the cases fall.”
The CDC advises people who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to avoid cruise travel and advises travelers to get a booster vaccination if necessary, Daigle said.
Prepare for a potentially different vacation if you stick with your cruise
While the cruise industry has not ceased operations and the lines have not canceled cruises themselves, a cruise vacation may look different as COVID spreads faster.
Your itinerary could change – including port stops
Cruise attorney Michael Winkleman told USA TODAY that he doesn’t believe that cruise lines should necessarily cancel, but “they should expect the unexpected and be ready to adapt to changes in itinerary”.
Some changes to the itinerary have already occurred when traveling with COVID cases on board.
For example, Carnival Freedom had to due to COVID. change his itinerary. The ship has an undisclosed “small number” of COVID cases on board and is following protocols, spokeswoman AnneMarie Mathews USA TODAY said Thursday.
Aruba and Bonaire did not allow Carnival Freedom to call at their ports.
If port visits are canceled, the shipping company will try to find an alternative destination.
Odyssey of the Seas by Royal Caribbean also had to make changes to the itinerary due to at least 55 COVID-19 cases on board, including the cancellation of port calls.
On Wednesday, Royal Caribbean announced that the cruise would not stop in Curacao or Aruba as planned.
“The decision was made together with the islands and out of great caution, given the current trend of cases in the target communities and the positive COVID-19 cases on board … a statement shared by Sierra-Caro.
The ship briefly returned to port on Sunday disembark a passenger with COVID.
When asked if cruise lines can expect further changes in itineraries, CDC’s Daigle said the health authority “cannot predict the future of cruises or what port authorities will do”.
“We can tell you that the CDC’s temporary expansion and change of the Conditional Sailing Regulations (CSO) framework requires cruise lines to obtain approval from the US port and local health authorities in the development of medical supplies, accommodations and port components Document the agreement. ”Daigle said Thursday.
Some lines tighten the restrictions on board
Cruise lines including Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International have already taken steps to tighten restrictions on board.
Carnival Cruise Line last week updated its mask policy for journeys through January 31st as omicron continues to expand.
Norwegian has also added mask requirements for indoor areas.
Last month also Norwegian the compulsory vaccination extended by 100% of passengers for an indefinite period.
Similarly, Royal Caribbean posted a note to passengers last week telling passengers that mask restrictions will be tightened through January 5th.
►Royal Caribbean: Will stop new bookings for cruises departing by early January
►’I felt safer than Walmart on the cruise ‘: COVID logs on cruises are proving effective, initial CDC data show
Some cruise lines have flexible cancellation policies, others add
Cruise cancellation options vary depending on the line. A cancellation doesn’t always mean a full refund, it can mean future cruise credit and some lines are stricter than others, but some have more flexible options due to the ongoing pandemic.
Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises
The Royal Caribbean Group’s Cruise with Confidence program has been in effect since March 2020 and applies to the flagship lines Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises and Celebrity Cruises, said Lyan Sierra-Caro, spokesman for the cruise line, USA TODAY on Wednesday.
“This allows guests to cancel up to 48 hours before their departure – for whatever reason – and get 100% of the value back in the form of a Future Cruise Credit, which they can use for every cruise,” said Sierra-Caro.
If a passenger or someone in their group tests positive for COVID-19 before the cruise departs, they can also get a 100 percent refund of the fare.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line warned passengers scheduled to cruise through January in an email received from USA TODAY that the itinerary could change due to the proliferation of Omicron – and said that missed port stops beyond pre-booked excursions would not include any Refunds would be made.
“We understand that, given the circumstances, some of our guests may wish to consider a cruise at another time,” the cruise line continued, indicating that passengers should contact the company, their travel agent or their planner to arrange receive a full refund or cancel.
the Line has provided options for passengers are affected by COVID-19 and have to cancel.
Holland America Line
Holland America Line, a cruise company of Carnival Corp., has a “flexible” cancellation policy for cruises booked by February 28th for ships departing by April 30th.
“You can cancel up to 30 days before departure without giving a reason and with our flexible cancellation you will automatically receive a Future Cruise Credit,” it says on their website. “Plus, you can cancel up to your sailing date if you test positive for COVID-19 and also receive credit for future cruises.”
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line has introduced a “Peace of Mind” policy for pandemic bookings.
For cruises departing through March, passengers can cancel up to 61 days in advance of departure for a full refund.
MSC cruises
For bookings made by March 31st, 2022, For cruises up to March 31, 2023, passengers can change their cruise up to 48 hours before departure.
“You can transfer your money to another cruise sailing on or before March 31, 2023 (any ship, any sailing date without penalty),” Stephen Schuler, vice president of communications at MSC, told USA TODAY on Wednesday. “The only exception to this is guests booked on MSC World Cruise or World Cruise segments.”
If you’re nervous about getting on a ship and want to cancel or postpone your trip, check the cancellation policy on your cruise line’s website, call customer service or your travel agent.
