CDC lowers Cruise warning to level 2.

[happycamper47]

From Cruise Critic:

(6:06 a.m. ET) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have lowered their COVID-19 Travel Health Notice (THN) for cruise ships, putting cruise ships a Level 2: Moderate. This is the second time in one month that the agency has lowered the THN for cruise ships.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

I was just coming here to post this.

 

[bperk3]

What changes will this lead to for DCL? I would assume the vaccination requirement stays put. But will they drop port testing? Will character meets come back?

What does everyone think?

 

[DCSWO]

My guess is they'll wait and see what becomes of the new variant causing an increase in cases in Europe.

 

[Kwami]

My guess is they'll wait and see what becomes of the new variant causing an increase in cases in Europe.

Right. The CDC has seem an increase of virus in sewer samples over the last two weeks, too, so we'll probably get some kind of increase in cases. Hopefully, just a small one this time.

Anyway, as far as I can tell, the warning level doesn't correspond to any of the protocols that cruise ships have implemented to remain part of the CDC's monitoring program. Instead, it's just a way of letting us know whether cruising is safe for us. Here are the levels, totally stolen from Scott's blog:

• Level 4: Very high level of COVID-19
  • Avoid cruise ship travel at this time.
• Level 3: High level of COVID-19
  • Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before cruise ship travel.
  • If you are not up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, avoid cruise ship travel.
  • If you are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, avoid cruise ship travel even if you are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Level 2: Moderate level of COVID-19
  • Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before cruise ship travel.
  • 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 with your doctor.
• Level 1: Low level of COVID-19
  • Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before cruise ship travel.

 

[bigAWL]

Right. The CDC has seem an increase of virus in sewer samples over the last two weeks, too, so we'll probably get some kind of increase in cases. Hopefully, just a small one this time.

Anyway, as far as I can tell, the warning level doesn't correspond to any of the protocols that cruise ships have implemented to remain part of the CDC's monitoring program. Instead, it's just a way of letting us know whether cruising is safe for us. Here are the levels, totally stolen from Scott's blog:

• Level 4: Very high level of COVID-19
  • Avoid cruise ship travel at this time.
• Level 3: High level of COVID-19
  • Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before cruise ship travel.
  • If you are not up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, avoid cruise ship travel.
  • If you are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, avoid cruise ship travel even if you are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Level 2: Moderate level of COVID-19
  • Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before cruise ship travel.
  • 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 with your doctor.
• Level 1: Low level of COVID-19
  • Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before cruise ship travel.

Agreed. No change in any requirements, though a positive step necessary for seeing changes at some point in the future.

The way I read the CDC site, the lower level corresponds to fewer new cases being detected among crews on ships reporting to the CDC. This marginally adjusts their recommendations for people deciding whether or not to cruise (only for those who are at increases risk of severe illness and up-to-date on vaccines - this group is now off the "avoid cruise ship travel" category).

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

Agreed. No change in any requirements, though a positive step necessary for seeing changes at some point in the future.

The way I read the CDC site, the lower level corresponds to fewer new cases being detected among crews on ships reporting to the CDC. This marginally adjusts their recommendations for people deciding whether or not to cruise (only for those who are at increases risk of severe illness and up-to-date on vaccines - this group is now off the "avoid cruise ship travel" category).

I think it will lead to changes but you will have to watch RCCL and Carnival first to see how they act on it in the coming weeks. Once the no masks inside have been a thing for 3-4 weeks then should start seeing the next wave of decrease in restrictions.

 

[Kwami]

I think it will lead to changes but you will have to watch RCCL and Carnival first to see how they act on it in the coming weeks. Once the no masks inside have been a thing for 3-4 weeks then should start seeing the next wave of decrease in restrictions.

As I said, restrictions are based on the CDC's guidelines for cruise ships participating in their COVID-19 program. In order to participate, cruise lines have to follow the rules set by the CDC. At least publicly, those rules are not based on the CDC warning level. Any relaxation of restrictions that you see in the near future probably would have occurred anyway.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

As I said, restrictions are based on the CDC's guidelines for cruise ships participating in their COVID-19 program. In order to participate, cruise lines have to follow the rules set by the CDC. At least publicly, those rules are not based on the CDC warning level. Any relaxation of restrictions that you see in the near future probably would have occurred anyway.

It all works hand in hand though, and that will also cause CDC to change guidelines in time also.

 

[Kwami]

It all works hand in hand though, and that will also cause CDC to change guidelines in time also.

Maybe. We don't know and speculation is frowned upon here.

 

[DCLMP]

Maybe. We don't know and speculation is frowned upon here.

One of life's greatest challenges is keeping opinions out of a discussion board. It's why I don't post much anymore.

 

[bigAWL]

One of life's greatest challenges is keeping opinions out of a discussion board. It's why I don't post much anymore.

Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, your opinion, man.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

Maybe. We don't know and speculation is frowned upon here.

RCCL just loosened up a little, RCCL is looking more and more desirable , just wish they had more family friendly shows.

https://cruisefever.net/royal-caribbean-updates-shore-excursion-rules/

 

[DCLMP]

RCCL just loosened up a little, RCCL is looking more and more desirable , just wish they had more family friendly shows.

https://cruisefever.net/royal-caribbean-updates-shore-excursion-rules/

I thought everyone on Royal had to be vaccinated anyway? There's more for kids to do on Royal, but you are right the shows are geared more for adults. I believe the Florida appeal against NCL is May 16. How that turns out could affect cruises out of Florida.

Regardless it will be interesting to see if demand holds up the second half of the year. That being said it may be the cheapest vacation in this economic climate when you figure in the "free food" aspect. It's getting so expensive to eat out we rarely do it anymore.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

I thought everyone on Royal had to be vaccinated anyway? There's more for kids to do on Royal, but you are right the shows are geared more for adults. I believe the Florida appeal against NCL is May 16. How that turns out could affect cruises out of Florida.

Regardless it will be interesting to see if demand holds up the second half of the year. That being said it may be the cheapest vacation in this economic climate when you figure in the "free food" aspect. It's getting so expensive to eat out we rarely do it anymore.

RCCL is only 12 and up to be vaccinated.

I don’t think cruises (more so ships geared
Towards family) will do well if vaccine mandates and testing don’t drop, there is only so many eligible families and most don’t cruise more than once a year or more.

 

[disneywith3boys]

Does anyone know for Disney cruises if your 2 COVID shots are 6 months apart does it still count as "fully vaccinated"?

 

[DCLMP]

RCCL is only 12 and up to be vaccinated.

I don’t think cruises (more so ships geared
Towards family) will do well if vaccine mandates and testing don’t drop, there is only so many eligible families and most don’t cruise more than once a year or more.

That and inflation eating away at everyone’s disposable income, but nothing cures high prices like high prices. At some point demand drops. You can only inflate a balloon so much before it pops.

 

[DCLMP]

Does anyone know for Disney cruises if your 2 COVID shots are 6 months apart does it still count as "fully vaccinated"?

I would call. I don’t see why not.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Does anyone know for Disney cruises if your 2 COVID shots are 6 months apart does it still count as "fully vaccinated"?

From the CDC COVID vaccination information sheet (kinda old 2019)
You should get your second shot as close to the recommended 3-week or 4-week interval as possible. You should not get the second dose early.

However, if you do receive your second shot of COVID-19 vaccine up to 4 days before or at any time after the recommended date, you do not have to restart the vaccine series, and you can be considered fully vaccinated. This guidance might be updated as more information becomes available.

 

[lanejudy]

Does anyone know for Disney cruises if your 2 COVID shots are 6 months apart does it still count as "fully vaccinated"?

I don't believe DCL's rules specify the timing of the 2nd dose, just that "fully vaccinated" as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is further listed out as follows:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines fully vaccinated as 14 days after receiving:

• A single dose of an accepted 1-dose vaccine
• The second dose of an accepted 2-dose vaccine
• The full series of an active (not placebo) COVID-19 vaccine in the US-based AstraZeneca or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trials
• The second dose of any “mix and match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines (administered at least 17 days apart)