CDC To Keep Cruise Order In Place Despite Call From CLIA To End It
The Centers For Disease Control is holding firm to its cruising guidelines despite pressure from the industry to re-open the industry for summer travel. According a report just released from the Orlando Sentinel, a spokesperson for the CDC said in an emailed statement that the sail order WILL remain in place until November 1st.
However, the statement did go on to say that alterations will be made to its current language. It remains unclear as of going to print just what that means.
“Returning to passenger cruising is a phased approach to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19” Shockey said, “Details for the next phase of CSO are currently under interagency review.
As we previously reported here at MickeyBlog, Cruise Lines International Association released a statement yesterday asking for the CDC to open up sailing from US ports and set aside its currently Framework for Conditional Sailing Order which was put in place last Fall. The order followed 8 months of a no-sail order and combined has seen the cruising industry docked since last March.
Disney Cruise Line sailings have currently been cancelled through the end of May and though sailings appear available to book in June and July, Disney CEO Bob Chapek also went on record during a recent appearance on CNBC as saying that he hoped the cruising industry would return by the Fall, indicating that further cancellations may be imminent. This would mean a cancellation of of sailings through Disney’s peak summer period.
So what do we know about the new guidelines in place in order for cruising to resume? It requires that a wide array of criteria be met including testing safeguards for crew members, simulated cruises to make sure that companies can manage COVID-19 risk. According to the piece in the Sentinel, if companies meet these requirements they can then apply to sail with passengers who will themselves be required to take and pass COVID-19 tests both the day they arrive and the day they depart, the CDC states.
Though the current order does not expressly require vaccinations, it is expected that many cruising companies will make this a requirement.
In it’s statement on Wednesday, CLIA detailed that the US cruise industry supports nearly 450,000 jobs and contributed to more than $5.5 billion annually before the pandemic.
This is a story that we here at MickeyBlog will continue to follow closely. Readers are encouraged to keep checking back with us for further news and updates!
Get a Jumpstart On Your Travel Plans And Get A FREE Disney Gift Card!
Have you heard the news!? Walt Disney World vacation packages are currently available through June 2022! Book your 2022 stay with ME through May of 2021 and I’ll throw in a Disney Gift Card!* Plus 1 lucky family will be picked each month to receive a special in-room delivery from Disney Floral & Gifts! Simply fill out my form below to get your FREE, no obligation quote!
With new policies and procedures in place for next year, there’s never been a better time to work with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner who can help you navigate through Disney World’s new way of doing things! Just fill out my form HERE to get your FREE, no-obligation quote. Alternatively, feel free to reach out at mroden@mickeytravels.com or follow along on Facebook!
