CDC Says US Cruises Can Soon Set Sail With Volunteer Passengers — Here’s What That Really Entails

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlined new protocols this week to get U.S. cruises sailing again. And it will all begin with a few intrepid volunteers.

On Wednesday, the CDC released its updated requirements for “simulated voyages” filled with volunteer passengers so cruise companies can prove they can sail without spreading COVID-19.

“With the issuance of these documents, cruise ship operators now have all the necessary requirements and recommendations they need to start simulated voyages before resuming restricted passenger voyages,” the CDC said in a statement. “In addition, this release includes the COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate application, which is the final step before restricted passenger voyages.”

Before leaving port, the cruise company must first apply for the sailing, gain permission from the CDC, arrange for and continue to submit laboratory test results for every crew member on board, have written agreements with all U.S. port and local authorities, and more. Then, it must find its volunteers.

 
 
 
 
00:00
00:29
 
 
 
You might like
×
Every Cruise Line Requiring Passengers to Be Vaccinated Before Boarding
TSA Screened Over 1.6 Million Travelers on Sunday in New Pandemic-Era Record
Florida’s Port Canaveral First to Vaccinate Port Workers in Effort to Boost Cruise Return
Norwegian Cruise Line Announces New Trips to Greece and the Caribbean This Summer
The New Disney Wish Will Be the Most Magical Ship at Sea
Norwegian Cruise Line Will Require Vaccinations for All Passengers and Crew
CDC Is ‘Committed’ to Resuming U.S. Cruises by Midsummer
Smithsonian Is Launching Educational Cruises Around the World
Vaccinated Tourists May Be Able to Travel to Italy by Mid-May
France Planning to Ease Travel Restrictions for Vaccinated Americans by This Summer
Canada and U.S. Land Border Closure Extended for Non-essential Travel Another Month
The Bahamas Waives Testing Requirements for Vaccinated Travelers
Germany Cancels Oktoberfest Celebrations for the Second Year in a Row
International Travelers Heading to New York Will No Longer Have to Quarantine If They’re Fully Vaccinated
How the SLS Baha Mar Created a COVID-19 ‘Safety Zone’ and Rolled Out an Epic Vacation Pack
British Airways CEO Says Vaccination Rates Offer a ‘Great Opportunity’ for UK-US Travel
Royal Caribbean’s Newest Supersize Cruise Ship Will Make Its Debut in China Next Year
Vaccinated Americans Will Likely Be Allowed to Travel to Europe This Summer, Report Says
Broadway Will Reopen at Full Capacity in September — and Tickets Go on Sale This Month
MSC Cruises Will Sail to Italy, the UK, and Beyond This Summer
British Transport Official Confirms NHS App Will Act as Vaccine Passport for Travel
Maine Lifts Quarantine Rules for All U.S. Travelers
CDC Recommending Cruise Passengers, Crew Be Vaccinated Before Boarding
7 Life-Changing Trips for Teenagers, According to T+L’s A-List Advisors
Uniworld Is Offering a ‘Mystery Cruise’ Around Europe — and Guests Don’t Know the Stops or Activities
Australia Official Says Borders May Not Open Until Later in 2022
Grenada Will Reduce Quarantine Required for Fully Vaccinated Tourists Starting May 1
Growing List of Nations Block Travel From India
Staycations Are a Helpful Way to Deal With Pandemic Burnout — and They Might Be Here to Stay
New York’s Excelsior Pass Will Replace Vaccine and Testing Paperwork — What to Know
Google Wants to Help You Travel More This Summer With New COVID-19 Safety Features
Blue Origin Will Fly Tourists to Space This Summer
France Plans to Welcome American Tourists Starting June 9
U.S. to Restrict Travel From India Starting Tuesday
Passenger Safely Gives Birth on Flight From Utah to Hawaii With the Help of Several Nurses on Board
Greece Preparing to Welcome Tourists, Including Americans, Back on May 15
Disney Cruise Line Cancels U.S. Sailings Through June
Birthright Israel Trips Are Back—Here’s How to Apply and What to Know
Italy Eases Lockdown Restrictions As COVID-19 Cases Start to Fall
Celebrity Cruises’ Newest Ship Has Star-status Touches From Gwyneth Paltrow and Chef Daniel Boulud
The British Virgin Islands Is Easing Restrictions for Vaccinated Tourists
Hawaiians Will Soon Be Able to Travel Between Islands Without Quarantine, Testing
State Department to Add More Than 100 Countries to ‘Do Not Travel’ List As COVID-19 Contin
Venice Bans Cruise Ships From Historic Center
France Becomes First Country in Europe to Launch Digital Health Pass for Travel
Viking Announces Vaccination, Testing Requirements for Passengers Along With New Cruises t
Alaska Will Give Tourists Free COVID-19 Vaccines This Summer
EU Proposes Reopening Borders to All Vaccinated Tourists This Summer
The Maldives Plans to Vaccinate Visitors Upon Arrival in Effort to Boost Tourism

“All volunteer passengers must be informed in writing that they are participating in a simulation of health and safety protocols that are unproven and untested in the United States for purposes of simulating a cruise ship voyage and that sailing during a pandemic is an inherently risky activity,” the CDC explained.

All volunteers must be at least 18 years old. They must also show proof of being fully vaccinated or share “written documentation from a healthcare provider or self-certified statement that the volunteer passenger has no medical conditions that would place the volunteer at high risk for severe COVID-19 as determined through CDC guidance.”

Volunteers must also agree to post-trip testing and sample collection. They must also be willing to stay rather close to the ship as “self-guided or independent exploration by passengers during port calls is prohibited.” And, the simulated cruise will have to end if 1.5% of passengers test positive for COVID-19 or 1% of crew members on board test positive.

 

While it sounds risky, it turns out more than enough people are ready and willing to volunteer. According to Travel Weekly, more than 150,000 people signed up for a test sailing with Royal Caribbean.

“The participation in and sentiment of the comments and conversations on the Volunteers of the Seas group has been incredibly motivating,” reps for the cruise line said in a statement in December. “It’s refreshing to be reminded of all the people out there who are excited about the possibility of sailing and eager to come onboard a Royal Caribbean International ship again.”

There is, however, one way for cruise lines and passengers to bypass this system, and that’s by ensuring herd immunity. In April, the CDC said cruise ships could legally bypass these simulated voyages if they can guarantee 98% of a ship’s crew is vaccinated against COVID-19, and 95% of its passengers are fully vaccinated as well.

“CDC acknowledges that it is not possible for cruising to be a zero-risk activity for the spread of COVID-19,” the CDC stated. “While cruising will always pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission, CDC is committed to ensuring that cruise ship passenger operations are conducted in a way that protects crew members, passengers, and port personnel, particularly with emerging COVID-19 variants of concern.”