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Yesterday, the CDC lowered its travel warning for cruise ships to Level 2. Earlier this year, cruise ships were designated Level 4, the highest travel warning level. Last month, the CDC lowered its warning level to Level 3.
The Level 2 travel warning status is good news for hopeful cruisers. Level 2 indicates a moderate risk of getting Covid-19. Recorded cases within the past 28 days are between 50-99 per 100,000 people on cruise ships. At this level, the CDC recommends travelers get fully vaccinated before cruising (which most cruise lines already require). Unvaccinated people who are high risk for severe illness should still avoid cruising.
The big four U.S. family cruise lines (Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney and Carnival) already relaxed indoor mask requirements this month. However, the cruise lines still require vaccinations for most guests as well as pre-board Covid testing.
Back to Normal?
While these changes certainly indicate that cruising is getting somewhat back to “normal”, we’re not quite there yet. Select venues on board are still closed or have limited offerings, and not all entertainment has resumed.
I hope this trend continues! My family misses cruising, and we have four future cruises booked!
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Moving in the right direction, in response to the plummeting numbers. A good sign. But I’m still not making any reservations. Limited offerings means less for my money and vacation time, plus the risk of a port or ports turning away the ship are still very possible.
Someday we’ll get there though!
Someday soon, I hope! I halfway regretted canceling my cruise from last week. Our weather in Texas wasn’t great for spring break and I wished I was getting some sun and beach time. However, I stayed in the FB group for that cruise and upon returning many people got sick (not Covid but digestion issues).
Oh, boy! I’ll take crummy weather at home over stomach illness on a cruise ship any day of the week. Sounds like you came out ahead in the end!