The State Department warned that the COVID-19 pandemic “continues to pose an unprecedented risk to travelers” and this week “strongly” recommended that US citizens reconsider all travel abroad.
Consequences or contrary to CDC?
Confusingly, this happened about two weeks after the Centers’ new guidelines for Disease Control and Prevention Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can travel “at low risk to yourself” in the US and abroad.
All US-based cruise lines that have announced offshore trips have vaccination mandates, at least for travelers over the age of 16 and some for all travelers, which means there are currently no children. All intend to have their crews on these ships vaccinated as well.
80% of the countries at level 4: do not travel
The State Department has given no indication of the vaccination. However, it is his The update resulted in a significant increase in the number of countries at Level 4: Do not travel to approximately 80% of the countries worldwide.
Also confusing: “This is not a reassessment of the current health situation in a particular country, but rather an adjustment of the State Department’s travel advisory system to rely more on the CDC’s existing epidemiological assessments,” the ministry said.
Under the Places that have been newly added to level 4: Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Mexico, Greece, Cyprus and Israel.
These are all home ports or destinations for a small but growing number of ships on US routes such as Crystal Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn, and Silversea Cruises.
Some of these lines have reported record bookings, raising the question of what impact and impact COVID-19 travel warnings have.
Impactful or ho-hum?
In the past, State Department warnings were extremely effective for the travel business. But Seatrade Cruise News found an almost violent reaction to these latest warnings. Another symptom of COVID fatigue?
“I really don’t have this under control – I’m not sure anyone does,” said Alex Sharpe, President and CEO of Signature Travel Network. “I don’t want to belittle the people whose job it is to make these decisions, but nothing about COVID makes sense to me … I didn’t understand much about how countries were ‘rated’ by it.”
“Eighty percent of the world is at Level 4, including the US,” another source said, adding that situations are evolving and cruise lines will continue to monitor things. “We don’t see this as a problem,” he said of the new advice.
Weeks or months before the cruises start
Some cruise companies and travel sellers did not want to address the issue, but others pointed out that offshore cruises are weeks or months away, that people will be vaccinated, and that based on experience, there is confidence in the effectiveness of planned protocols from ships that are already sailing.
Just today Seabourn announced its The second ship to resume service will be on itineraries in Barbadosafter the first one Greece Cyprus Cruises. All Seabourn’s Caribbean and Mediterranean destinations are at Level 4, with the exception of three: the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten at Level 3: Rethink Travel and St. Kitts at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.
“The first scheduled departures from Seabourn are scheduled for July and we anticipate these recommendations may change in the coming months due to improvements made by many governments around the world to control COVID-19,” said Spokesman Brian Badura.
Seabourn cruises are open to vaccinated travelers and the crew are vaccinated.
The same applies to Crystal Cruises.
Crystal that becomes at homeport Nassau for an All-Bahamas program and at Antigua, also has many level 4 destinations in addition to the homeports themselves while there All-island cruises will be sailing out of a country that the US is currently setting at level 3.
“No difference in bookings”
Spokeswoman Susan Robison said Crystal had “seen no difference in our bookings” since the new notice came out.
“We received a few calls, but as we review our comprehensive health and safety protocols, as well as our mandatory vaccinations and the July and August timeframe, our guests and travel agents are reassured about our plans,” said Robison.
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