On Monday, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lowered its Travel Health Notice (THN) for cruise travel from a Level 3 to a Level 2. This is the second time this year that the CDC has lowered the THN. The CDC uses these health notices to alert travelers and other audiences to health threats around the world and advise them on how to protect themselves.
When the year began, the CDC was rating the risk of cruising and contracting COVID-19 at its highest level, Level 4. The cruise industry had complained repeatedly about the agency holding cruising to a higher level than it did other industry segments such as hotels, theme parks and so on. In February, the CDC lowered the THN to Level 3. Now, it's Level 2, which the CDC explains poses a "Moderate Risk" to travelers for contracting COVID-19 on a cruise.
CLIA Statement
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) issued the following statement in response to the CDC action:
"CLIA cruise line members continue to sail with some of the highest levels of COVID-19 mitigation, with effective health and safety protocols that are unmatched by virtually any other commercial setting. As a result, the vast majority of cases that have occurred have been mild and addressed swiftly based on pre-arranged response plans.
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) decision to lower the Travel Health Notice for cruise ships from Level 3 to Level 2 recognizes current public health conditions, as well as the robust mitigation measures in place on cruise ships.
"We look forward to the Travel Health Notice being removed for cruise ships as soon as possible, and for cruising to be recognized as setting a high bar for providing a vacation choice with comprehensive set of science-backed protocols that span the entirety of the cruise experience."
Lowering the THN
The CDC explains on its website that the agency will lower the THN level for cruise ship travel when the cumulative COVID-19 case count among crew members meets the THN threshold for a lower level and remains at that level for 14 consecutive days.
The total number of vaccinated crew on ships and vaccine effectiveness against the circulating variant will be considered when determining if the THN level can be lowered before 14 days.
The CDC advises cruise travelers of the following: "The THN for cruise ship travel represents the status of the COVID-19 pandemic at this time. For travelers booking cruise travel now, be aware that the level may change as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves and may be different by the time of your cruise."
The agency also tells travelers: "If you are not up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, avoid cruise ship travel. If you have questions or concerns, talk to your doctor.
Outbreaks of COVID-19 have been reported on cruise ships, the agency says. It advises travelers to check their cruise ship's color code and vaccination status classification before traveling.
For more information, visit wwwnc.cdc.gov.
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