AFTER ALMOST 18 dormant months at the age of Covid 19, cruise ships are increasingly starting to sail again. American Cruise Line took off from Florida in March. Crystal Cruises resumed operations with two ships in the Bahamas in July. Norwegian Jade is cruising the Greek islands with many Americans on board. Oceania Cruises’ marina in Copenhagen will set sail at the end of August, and its sister ship, the Riviera, is scheduled to sail from Istanbul to Trieste in October. Viking Ocean Cruises’ itineraries for 2022 are almost fully booked. Obviously there is demand and passengers are ready to board. The question is: is it safe to cruise now?
Are Cruise Ships Safe?
According to a July survey by travel marketer MMGY Global, public perception that the answer yes has increased significantly in recent months has increased. And somber images of giant, virus-riddled boats stranded offshore had faded – at least until August, when coronavirus infections were identified aboard the Carnival Vista cruise ship sailing out of Galveston, Texas. (A 77-year-old passenger who was treated on board and then evacuated to an Oklahoma hospital later died. The ship was able to prevent the virus from spreading further.)
