CDC raises COVID-19 infection risk for cruise travel to highest level

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging all Americans to avoid sea and river cruise travel.

Monday's ruling doesn't address the merits of the lawsuit but it may give plaintiffs momentum after legal experts predicted virus cases against cruise companies would be hard to win. Although, recently, both MSC and Costa have had to cancel cruises as a result of on-land situations in Europe due to coronavirus. For those that decide to still travel they are recommending you should get tested three - five days after travel and quarantine for a week even if you test negative, if you choose to not get tested you should quarantine for at least 14 days.

The cruise operations impacted include the following: All cruises sailing through 31 March 2021; Cruises longer than seven days sailing in and out of United States ports through 1 November 2021. For example, cruise operations in the Mediterranean restarted over the summer - although with reduced passenger capacity and a more limited itinerary.

The cruise industry has been in suspended animation since July, when the Foreign Office issued blanket advice against all cruise ship travel following a string of Covid outbreaks around the world. While luxury cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas and Crystal, among others, may charge considerably more upfront, their pricing models can offer extreme value when you consider that gratuities, alcohol, butler service, and, in some instances, shore excursions are all included. Previously, the CDC classified cruise ships and cruise travel as a level 3 risk.

Cruise lines are responding appropriately.

No action is required to receive the above either by the guest or travel advisor. Still, that was not enough to prevent the COVID-19 cases on SeaDream earlier this month, but guests also were not wearing masks for the first few days of that cruise.