CDC just lifted US cruise ban effective Nov 1 - Great news

[DaveOKC]

https://cruisefever.net/ban-on-cruises-from-the-u-s-lifted/

[VMax1700]

1 minute ago, DaveOKC said:

https://cruisefever.net/ban-on-cruises-from-the-u-s-lifted/

👍  That is a positive sign.  Now we hope for reduced infection numbers so that we can get onboard again.

[JazzyV]

"Cruises will be able to restart once cruise lines prove to the CDC that their COVID-19 protocols will work on cruise ships." I'll be curious to see how they do that.

[Domer81mpc]

Excellent new!  The CDC has made its recommendations and people are free to choose to accept them or not.  Choice is a good thing.

[NavArch64]

The "key" requirement is to obtain a "COVID19 Conditional Sailing Certificate" from the CDC for each ship under each brand that is proposed to operate in U.S. waters.

[TiogaCruiser]

And WHERE are these ships supposed to sail to? What ports will allow them to dock?

[CruiserBruce]

Just now, TiogaCruiser said:

And WHERE are these ships supposed to sail to? What ports will allow them to dock?

Mexico...at least the Mexican Rivera side, is a possibility. 

[Vict0riann]

It has been announced here that Canadian ports will be closed to cruise ships through February.  But I think they are hoping to open things up in the summer...

[cruisemom42]

Lots and lots and lots of strings tied to this "restart" including monitoring and reporting of crew health for a period prior to restart, enhanced medical facilities on ships, a certain period of "test cruises", oversight to ensure limited number of ships in any given port at a time, and cruises of not longer than 7 days for, I think, a year from now. 

 

As well as very carefully worded warnings that re-starting cruising is a phased approach and that the phase can be changed at any time given current pandemic conditions.

 

[NavArch64]

Another "key" requirement is that a valid USCG COI must be in place for 6 months prior to applying to the CDC for its certification. Hopefully, all of the ships in the major brands fleets have kept these current.

[Mandalay1903]

So, the CDC has approved the cruise ships to sail, provided that the cruise ships get the CDC's approval to sail.  So?

Edited October 30, 2020 by Mandalay1903

[Oulton Jim]

Plenty of hoops to jump through before cruises per se go out from American waters. I'll be hoping for some type of 'normality' by our first of the new-style cruises in September 2021. 

[foodsvcmgr]

Read the details of how the initial cruises once approved are to be conducted.

After taking more than 60 cruises with three reservations for late ‘21 and beyond, I must say there is NOTHING in this ruling that gives me even the slightest interest in cruising under these terms.

[johnnyswitzerland]

"…the CDC will first want operators to conduct simulated (mock) voyages with volunteers playing the role of passengers to test the line's ability to mitigate COVID-19 risk."

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5687/

 

Where do I sign up???  😁

[DaveOKC]

In my case, I posted Great News since I have a late March cruise booked at a great fare, and this news gives me more hope that it will actually sail.  I can always cancel if I change my mind (for once I bought Cancel For Any Reason insurance).

 

[Roz]

My 4-day cruise on the Nieuw Statendam in January would make a perfect test cruise with actual passengers.

[cruisemom42]

12 minutes ago, johnnyswitzerland said:

"…the CDC will first want operators to conduct simulated (mock) voyages with volunteers playing the role of passengers to test the line's ability to mitigate COVID-19 risk."

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5687/

 

Where do I sign up???  😁

 

As long as you don't have any pre-existing conditions that put you at greater risk of COVID infection:

 

2) All volunteer passengers must be at least eighteen years old or older. The cruise ship operator must also obtain from all volunteer passengers a written certification from a healthcare provider that the volunteer passenger has no pre-existing medical conditions that would place that individual at high risk for COVID-19 as determined through CDC guidance. CDC may issue additional requirements through technical instructions or orders relating to a cruise ship operator’s obligation to screen for volunteer passengers who may be at high risk for COVID-19.

[colonialinnkeeper]

This is only one of the first steps of many, many to go back to sailing.  But, it is nice to know that it is in place and companies can continue to work to getting us back on board once it is safe to do so.

[grsnovi]

1 hour ago, Vict0riann said:

...Canadian ports will be closed to cruise ships through February. 

I can't think of any Canadian ports that I'd want too visit between now and February 😊

[AtlantaCruiser72]

On page 32 of the CDC document it states that voyages may be no more than 7 days in length from US ports with no timeframe given when that restriction may be lifted or reviewed.

[Nghthawke]

It does look like they got some competent people to work on the report:

 

"While the No-Sail Order was in effect, cruise lines endeavored to find new ways to keep passengers healthy onboard and create protocols in case of outbreaks. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings teamed with Royal Caribbean Group to create an industry-wide Healthy Sail Panel, chaired by former Utah Governor and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt, and Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The panel concluded a safe return to cruise was possible, delivering a 65-plus-page report to the CDC outlining a total of 74 action points that lines would undertake to safely resume cruising."

[ger_77]

Baby steps, people, baby steps.  First they have to lift the cruise ban, then let things fall into place gradually.  I'm sure none of us want to jeopardize our lives, or the lives of those we love by cruising before it's safe.  We'll see how things play out in the coming months.

 

Smooth Sailing! 🙂 🙂🙂

[Georgie562]

Just because the CDC lifted the ruling does not mean other countries and ports will welcome us with open arms. 

Will this possibly mean cruises to nowhere bypassing the Jones Act? Maybe, but no way will I waste my vacation days on a cruise to nowhere. 

Edited October 30, 2020 by Georgie562

[Brewgirl1]

We are supposed to fly to Chile in January to get on the Westerdam. I wish they would just cancel it already!!

I'm pretty sure it will be a no go.

[cruisemom42]

15 minutes ago, Nghthawke said:

It does look like they got some competent people to work on the report:

 

"While the No-Sail Order was in effect, cruise lines endeavored to find new ways to keep passengers healthy onboard and create protocols in case of outbreaks. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings teamed with Royal Caribbean Group to create an industry-wide Healthy Sail Panel, chaired by former Utah Governor and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt, and Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The panel concluded a safe return to cruise was possible, delivering a 65-plus-page report to the CDC outlining a total of 74 action points that lines would undertake to safely resume cruising."

 

That's the same report that has been talked about for months here -- the "Healthy Sail" panel sponsored by NCL and RCCL.