Category: CDC

CDC Lifts No Sail Order

11/5/2020

While I am excited to see the No Sail Order lifted I also quickly realized after skimming the 40 page CDC Framework for Conditional Sail Order that lists all of requirements to resume sailing that mostly likely cruising would not begin again until January 2021. That is because there is a condition that mentions 60 days so I figured that meant if they cruise lines started all this November 1 they should be good to go January 1. Shortly after the CDC posted the information the cruise lines started announcing December cancellations and as of now looks like all of them have confirmed no sailing until after 12/31. While I am bummed about no December cruises I am happy to think that we finally have some sort of really good timeline for restarting.

A few key things I noticed:
It looks like sailings will have to be kept to 7 days or less
Testing and masks are going to be part of the requirements
Shore excursions will have strict rules
Social Distancing rules will change things like dining and entertainment onboard

The rules and procedures required by the CDC encompass everything from extensive testing of crew already onboard ships; arrangements with ports and local health authorities; testing of new crew and passengers boarding; securing (by cruise lines) of local housing for isolating any people who test positive and don’t need hospital treatment, as well as their close contacts; simulated voyages with no passengers and more.
“This framework provides a pathway to resume safe and responsible sailing," said Robert Redfield, M.D., the CDC's director. "It will mitigate the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks on ships and prevent passengers and crew from seeding outbreaks at ports and in the communities where they live." He added that the CDC and the cruise industry have a shared goal to protect crew, passengers and communities, and will continue to work together to ensure that all necessary public health procedures are in place before cruise ships begin sailing with passengers.
I will be staying on top of all the news and hope that ships will be sailing come January 1!

0 Comments

Cruising Again Soon!

10/1/2020

0 Comments

I don't know about you but I cannot wait to get back on a cruise! The CDC announced last night that the no sail order will expire 10/31. I do hope that means cruising in the US will get started again in November! Some cruse ships have been sailing the Mediterranean since August and has been pretty much smooth sailing so far. There are new rules in place to cruise but there are new rules everywhere now so I am OK with that. One family on the first cruise to start up in the Mediterranean learned the hard way that these rules are strict and put in place for everyone's safety. They were told if you go on shore you have to stay with the tour group and if you don't you will not be allowed back onboard. They didn't follow the rule and wandered of so therefore not allowed back on the ship. I totally agree with this policy and glad to see the cruise line stuck to it.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)—the industry association representing 95% of all ocean-going cruise capacity globally—announced that its member lines have agreed to a common set of mandatory health protocols.
Here is a list of the new protocols that will most likely be put in place when cruising in the US does start again -

Mandatory COVID-19 testing of 100% of passengers and crew prior to embarkation (although the precise timing and type of testing isn’t specified)
Mandatory mask-wearing by guests and crew whenever physical distancing can’t be maintained, both onboard and on excursions
Implementation of physical distancing measures in terminals, onboard ships, and on shore excursions (including private islands)
Air management and ventilation strategies to increase fresh air onboard, where feasible, using enhance filters and other technologies
Enhanced medical capability, tailored to each ship, to manage medical needs, including dedicated cabin capacity for isolation and other measures, and arrangements with private providers for shoreside quarantine, medical facilities and transportation
Only permitting shore excursions that meet cruise operators’ prescribed protocols, with required passenger compliance

0 Comments

Our Blog

CDC Lifts No Sail Order

Cruising Again Soon!

Coleen

Archives

Categories

Stress Free Vacations, Inc.
Orlando, Fl
Florida Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST15578
California Seller of Travel No. 2090937-50
Washington UBID No. 603189022
Iowa Registered Agency # 1202
terms and conditions

Our Blog

CDC Lifts No Sail Order

Cruising Again Soon!

Coleen

Archives

Categories

Stress Free Vacations, Inc.Orlando, FlFlorida Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST15578 California Seller of Travel No. 2090937-50 Washington UBID No. 603189022 Iowa Registered Agency # 1202terms and conditions​

Stress Free Vacations, Inc.
Orlando, Fl
Florida Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST15578
California Seller of Travel No. 2090937-50
Washington UBID No. 603189022
Iowa Registered Agency # 1202
terms and conditions