What Color Is Your Ship
A color-coded system developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can provide helpful information about the COVID-19 status of cruise ships operating or planning to operate in U.S. waters.
A table on the CDC website, which promises to be updated several times a week, assigns each ship a color statusgreen, orange, yellow, red or gray.
The color-coding is based on both surveillance data collected over the previous 7-day period as well as the findings of any CDC investigations.
These are the CDC definitions of each of the color codes:
Green: No COVID-19 cases or COVID-19-like illnesses are reported onboard
Orange: Reported cases are below the CDC threshold for investigation, which varies for
restricted voyages, simulated voyages and ships with crew-only
Yellow: The ship meets the threshold for investigation , or a state or local health department has notified the CDC of passenger cases occurring within five days of disembarkation
Red: The ship is at or above the threshold for passenger and crew COVID-19 cases. Based on CDC investigation, the ship is subject to additional public health precautions. such as immediate return to port or delay of the next voyage
Gray: The ship operators health and safety protocol hasnt been reviewed or confirmed by the CDC this only applies to ships arriving in, located within, or departing from a port in Florida that chose not to follow the CDC Conditional Sail Order voluntarily.
Is Your Cruise Ship Safe How To Check Its Covid
A new color-coded system adds new information to cruise safety.
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If you have already booked a cruise or are in the throes of deciding whether or not to take one, you might be having second thoughts after listening to news reports of COVID-19 outbreaks at sea.
The CDC has recently reported that 15 of the 24 ships currently sailing in U.S. waters with paying passengers have experienced outbreaks of the virus on board.
Because traveling in the era of COVID is never risk-free, up-to-date information can help travelers make better-informed decisions, taking into account their personal health status and willingness to take risks.
Avoid All Travel On Cruise Ships Until Further Notice
If an outbreak of COVID-19 were to occur on a cruise ship while you are outside of Canada:
- you could be subject to quarantine procedures onboard ship or in a foreign country
- the range of consular services available to those on cruise ships may be significantly restricted by local authorities, especially in situations of quarantine
- it is unlikely that there would be a government-organized repatriation flight to return to Canada
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Coronavirus: Updated Cruise Ship Policies And Cancellations Because Of Covid
guide to when cruise lines are expected to resume service.
Cruise lines have temporarily suspended operations worldwide and altered future sailings globally as the coronavirus pandemic continues to grip the world.
Cruise lines have reacted by relaxing their , allowing concerned passengers to cancel — in some cases — up to 24 hours before departure.
On October 30, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
and replaced it with a conditional sail order that has resulted in vessels with capacity over 250 passengers being unable to restart operations well into 2021.
However, the CDC put in place a strict set of health protocols which and has led to lines further . Lines have resorted to restarting in cruise-friendly destinations, including the UK and various Caribbean islands.
Read the latest developments on how cruise lines are responding to the Coronavirus:
Itinerary Changes
Adventure Canada has canceled all scheduled 2021 voyages on Ocean Endeavour due to . It will resume operations in January 2022 in Antarctica.
Cruise News: Whats The Latest From The Industry
Sue Bryant
Wednesday November 24 2021, 17:00pm
Cruising has made a joyful, if occasionally bumpy comeback since July, in Europe and beyond. The recent simplification of the governments traffic-light system makes an escape to sea this autumn and winter a real possibility too. Next summer, meanwhile, is shaping up to be a bumper season, with cruise lines aiming for a full return to service and lots of new ships in the mix.
There are always caveats, of course. Parts of Europe are experiencing a surge in cases and numerous destinations further afield are still not open to international tourism, so you need to plan travel with an open mind. Rules change daily, although cruise lines have become agile at dealing with this. Theres a lot of form-filling and what sometimes feels like endless testing but for most, this is a small price to pay for the thrill of setting sail once more.
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Review Of Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises is a Miami-based passenger shipping company operating a fleet of premium boats. Between April 2007 and September 2014, Oceania was owned by Apollo Management. The company’s owner since 2014 is NCLH – also the owner of NCL and RSSC , Oceania as a cruise line brand offers a luxury product with relatively shorter itineraries but is also well-known for its Around The World voyages lasting up to 180 days.
Eligibility For Ship Color Status
The color-coding system is only applicable to cruise ships operating or planning to operate in U.S. waters. Status of ships is dependent upon daily submission of the Enhanced Data Collection during COVID-19 Pandemic form.
CDC has confirmed that the ships listed in the table below are operating under health and safety protocols that align with CDCs standards for protecting passengers, crew, port personnel, and communities by mitigating the public health risks posed by COVID-19. Gray-designated ships may have their own COVID-19 health and safety protocols, which CDC has not reviewed or confirmed.
When a cruise ship operating under the CSO notifies CDC of suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 on board, CDC determines whether an investigation is needed, based on a predetermined investigation threshold. This investigation threshold gives CDC and the cruise industry the ability to work closely together to protect the health and safety of those on board and in communities.
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What Requirements Do Ships Need For A Cdc Green Light
The CDC requires the implementation of the kind of safety measures youd expect, including screening passengers before embarking, contactless transactions aboard, enhanced cleaning and sanitation measures, upgraded medical facilities, as well as isolating and contact-tracing any passengers who may test positive during the cruise.
Once a cruise line has these measures in place, the CDC will permit them under one of two options:
While the former scenario is a faster way to get paying passengers back on the water , not all cruise ships plan to mandate passenger vaccinations, particular those popular with families with passengers below the age of 12, which is why lines like Disney have opted to go with option two.
Ban On Cruise Vessels In Canadian Waters
Cruise vessels in all Canadian waters and pleasure craft in Canadian Arctic water are prohibited until November 1, 2021. This means:
- adventure-seeking pleasure craft are prohibited from entering Arctic waters
- passenger vessels carrying more than 12 people are prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters, including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and the Labrador Coast
- cruise vessels carrying more than 100 people are prohibited from operating in Canadian waters.
- smaller cruise ships certified to carry 100 or fewer people are not banned
The Government of Canada will continue to evaluate the situation and make changes as necessary to ensure the health and safety of all Canadians. Should the COVID-19 pandemic sufficiently improve to allow the resumption of these activities, the Minister of Transport has the ability to rescind the ban.
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Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Original Update: The UK-based cruise line has announced an extension on cancelled cruises just like many other cruise operators. However, the cruise line has not announced a return date and is keeping it open.
Update 1: Fred Olsen has now announced some return dates for its ships towards the end of the year and into 2021.
Update 2: A lot has been going on with the British-based cruise line with two new ships purchased from Holland America Line and new return dates.
Update 3: The cruise line has decided to cancel cruises into 2021 due to the ongoing uncertainty around the world.
Update 4: Fred Olsen Cruises has announced more specific return dates for three cruise ships starting from the end of Spring 2021.
Update 5: In the latest cancellation update, the cruise line removed specific return dates for each ship and now expects all its vessels to start resuming sailings up until the end of June 2021. However, Braemar will remain on hold for much longer until Spring 2022.
Update 6: Fred Olsen will follow several other UK-based cruise operators by offering residents UK domestic sailings to nowhere. Borealis will be the first ship to start from Liverpool on July 5. She will then be followed by Balmoral and Bolette out of different homeports.
- Cruises Resume: End of June/Early July 2021
- UK Domestic Cruises Resume:
Royal Caribbean: Resumed Sailing July 2
Royal Caribbean made its original pause announcements in two different segments. First, the company announced it suspended U.S. sailings starting March 14. Then, starting on March 15, Royal Caribbean suspended its cruises around the world.
Originally the company planned to return to operations in mid-April 2020. After multiple extensions, the first U.S. sailing departed Miami aboard Freedom of the Seas on July 2, 2021.
Other ships currently or planning to sail from the U.S. include:
- Serenade of the Seas from Seattle
- Ovation of the Seas from Seattle
- Independence of the Seas from Galveston
- Odyssey of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale
- Symphony of the Seas from Miami
- Allure of the Seas from Port Canaveral
So far, Royal Caribbean has planned its return with simulated cruises, giving more leeway regarding unvaccinated passengers. While adults on most cruises require the shot, kids ineligible for the vaccine are also allowed to sail.
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Itinerary Of Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises ship itineraries visit 300+ ports in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The company’s cruise vessels stand apart from other midsized liners with low crew-to-passenger ratios and unique voyages.
During warm weather months, Oceania Cruises ships ply the waters of Eastern and Western Mediterranean, Western Europe and the British Isles, Northern Europe’s Baltic Sea and Norwegian Fjords. During the winter, Oceania spans the globe with sailings to Asia, Australia, South America, Panama Canal, and the Caribbean.
Oceania Cruises appeals to affluent retirees who look for a no-frills and refined experience. That said, the sophisticated atmosphere of the line also attracts solo travelers and young couples who are looking for an experience sans kids. Regardless of which voyage you choose, expect to sail with the American crowd.
What Happens To Old Cruise Ships
Carnival Holiday
Have you ever wondered what happened to the ship that you took your first cruise on decades ago? Or the one your parents sailed for their honeymoon? Ultimately, almost every cruise ship ends up in the scrapyard, but some live a multitude of lives before being taken apart. Weve researched a few of our favorite ships and traced their often-colorful history. You might be surprised where they ended up.
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Disney Cruise Line: Resume Sailing August 9
Disney suspended sailing along with the other major cruise lines. Originally it said that the suspension would last through the end of March 2020. Then it extended that date for all four of its ships to April 12, with trips resuming on April 13, 2020.
Now, according to a notice on its website Disney will resume sailing in August from Florida, with some U.K. cruises for the Disney Magic as well.
The first Disney cruise ship scheduled to return from the U.S. is the Dream on August 9, 2021, from Port Canaveral. It will sail on 3 and 4-night trips to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
Safety Drills Are Mostly Digital
Every cruiser interviewed for this story was a fan of the new approach by Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Carnival to the muster drill, a safety exercise that in pre-covid times required passengers to assemble in a large group at the location where they would be assigned to go in case of an emergency.
Youd be unpacking your suitcase in a cabin and all of a sudden theyd announce you have to show up at this muster drill, Mellen said about the previous routine. Youd be lined up in rows. Depending on the ship, a lot of time youd be outside in the heat.
Instead, passengers on several recent cruises said, they were able to watch safety information on a video and then simply check in at their emergency location within a couple of hours of boarding a ship. No crowds, no wait in the heat, no long demonstrations.
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Are The Lockdowns In Europe Affecting River Cruising
The aroma of mulled wine should be wafting through the air as Europe gears up for the Christmas market season but sadly, the festivities are now hanging in the balance. With Austrias snap lockdown in place, for example, lines including A-ROSA and Viking have confirmed that their advent markets cruises will embark in ports outside Austria, such as Passau, and sail straight through Austria without stopping. So youll miss Vienna, although ports further downstream, including Bratislava and Budapest, are not affected.
Other lines, among them Crystal, Scenic, Emerald Cruises and Avalon, have cancelled their December cruises.
Germanys Christmas markets are still clinging to the prospect of a successful season, with strict rules in place. To get in, you will need to be either fully vaccinated or show evidence of recent recovery from Covid. But Munich and Berlin have cancelled their advent celebrations, as has Nuremberg, which is one of the most popular markets among river cruisers. Others could well follow if cases continue to rise.
The Eden Balcony on the Celebrity Edge
Msc Cruises: Resume Sailing August 2
MSC is a global cruise line and has ships sailing worldwide, but it is making inroads into the United States with some of its newest and largest vessels.
In the United States, trips are scheduled to begin again August 2, 2021 according to CruiseIndustryNews.com. The first trip will be aboard MSC Meraviglia, which will offer short 3 and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas, including its private island, Ocean Cay.
Notably, MSC has some practice in sailing in the new environment. They’ve had a number of sailings in Europe under new regulations and seem to be successful in keeping passengers healthy.
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What Does The Cdc Say About Cruising Now
The public health agency lists cruising at a Level 3 risk which means high level of covid-19. On its website, the CDC says unvaccinated people should avoid cruising, as should anyone at risk of severe illness from covid-19, whether they are vaccinated or not.
The virus that causes covid-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters aboard ships, and the chance of getting covid-19 on cruise ships is high, the agency says on the site.
Officials recommend people get tested one to three days before a trip and three to five days after, whether they are vaccinated or not. During a cruise, travelers should wear a face covering in shared spaces, according to public health recommendations. Those who arent vaccinated should self-quarantine for seven days after cruising, even if they test negative, the CDC says.
Whats Going On With Alaskan Cruises
Little known quirks of maritime law have led some cruise lines that specialize in Alaskan expeditions to cancel all sailings from ports in the Lower 48 states through the end of 2021.
Understand Vaccine and Mask Mandates in the U.S.
Though they seem like American companies, many of the big cruise lines like Princess and Holland America, are, in fact, foreign-owned. According to United States law, foreign-flagged cruise ships are not permitted to cruise between U.S. ports without first visiting at least one foreign port. So cruises from Western cities like Seattle have typically stopped in Vancouver, Canada, on their way to Alaska.
But in February, Canadian authorities extended their ban on cruising through February 2022, effectively shutting down the Alaskan cruise business until then.
Earlier this month, senators introduced a bill that would waive the requirement that ships stop in a foreign port, but a vote could still be months off.
While Alaska cruises are on hold, cruise companies are pivoting to offer land tours of the state using their lodging and tour networks.
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Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line
Original Update: The cruise line which is based out of West Palm Beach, Florida has remained silent through early 2021. Announced on April 9, the small cruise line will make a comeback with short cruises to the Bahamas starting on July 2, 2021.
Update 1: In a recent development from Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, Grand Classica has been approved by the CDC to operated a simulated voyage. The ship will depart on June 25 on a 2-night test cruise to stress test health protocols as per the CDC Conditional Sailing Order requirements.
Update 2: In early July, the cruise line altered its return to service date and its planned simulated cruise. The test cruise finally departed out of West Palm Beach, Florida on July 13 with cruises officially restarting from July 16.
Cruises Resume: