As the CDC seems to be relaxing guidelines to resume cruises, Carnival received approval from the CDC to resume cruising, with some conditions.
MaritimeExecutive.com is reporting, “Carnival Corporation received notification from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention that it has accepted the company’s agreements with PortMiami, the Port of Galveston, and Port Canaveral as a key step in the restart of cruise operations for Carnival Cruise Line. The CDC’s approval for Carnival comes in the same week the health agency also approved Celebrity Cruises to become the first large ship cruise line to restart cruises from a U.S. port and approved Royal Caribbean International’s plan for a simulated cruise.
The CDC’s Conditional Sail Order requires each cruise line to develop plans and reach agreements with the ports regarding operations and a protocol in case COVID-19 is identified aboard the ship. The CDC said this was to prevent the situations that happened in the spring of 2020 when cruise ships became stranded at sea after passengers were diagnosed with the virus and also to prevent the cruise ships from overloading the health care system in the regions from which the ships are sailing.
“These agreements move us one step closer to sailing with our loyal guests,” said Lars Ljoen, executive vice president and chief maritime officer for Carnival Cruise Line. “We appreciate the support from not just these three homeport partners, but all of our homeports, that are eager to have us back as soon as possible.”
While Carnival announced that it had received these approvals, the cruise line did not provide details on its next steps. The CDC is requiring the cruise lines to apply for permission to operate simulated cruises with volunteer passengers to demonstrate the effectiveness of their onboard protocols and adjust any deficiencies that are found during the cruises. The lines can then apply for permission to resume revenue cruises.
As you know, I will be returning to Grand Palladium Riviera Maya/TRS Yucatán on June 15th. The big difference between cruises and all-inclusive resorts is that cruises will probably mandate COVID vaccinations, while all-inclusive resorts do not. I have received both Pfizer vaccines and I’m ready to enjoy cruises while still enjoying all-inclusive resorts!
Stay tuned for cruise updates and my reporting from Grand Palladium Riviera Maya/TRS Yucatán.
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