Rare WNcruiser Posted July 19, 2022 #1 Share Posted July 19, 2022 https://apple.news/AJOhoFJXwR3m3M-4g0lF0xQ The CDC just announced it is ending its voluntary Covid program for all cruises in the US. This should now mean the end of pre-cruise testing! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolyn22 Posted July 19, 2022 #2 Share Posted July 19, 2022 I just saw that! Hope those darn pre-cruise tests are eliminated. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xamsx Posted July 19, 2022 #3 Share Posted July 19, 2022 Just now, WNcruiser said: https://apple.news/AJOhoFJXwR3m3M-4g0lF0xQ The CDC just announced it is ending its voluntary Covid program for all cruises in the US. This should now mean the end of pre-cruise testing! They plan on giving ships different protocols, but this good news indeed.From the CDC:As of July 18, 2022, CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships is no longer in effect. CDC will continue to publish guidance to help cruise ships continue to provide a safer and healthier environment for passengers, crew and communities going forward. For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathyr Posted July 19, 2022 #4 Share Posted July 19, 2022 (edited) I would love if it would end the testing- however I think they will start letting unvacinated passengers on first and see how that goes, but still have testing in place. Edited July 19, 2022 by kathyr 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted July 19, 2022 #5 Share Posted July 19, 2022 "The CDC said on its website that it will keep giving testing recommendations for cruise ship operators, and that vessels will keep reporting cases to the agency. " So what actually is the material change now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mom says Posted July 19, 2022 #6 Share Posted July 19, 2022 Just a word of caution for those who feel compelled to voice their opinions on the current decision - previous threads on this new announcement have already been locked due to violations of the COVID discussion policy. Sharing info and facts is fine, but please keep your opinions to yourself. 1 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare AbbyCruiser45 Posted July 19, 2022 #7 Share Posted July 19, 2022 1 minute ago, LMaxwell said: So what actually is the material change now? I suspect we’ll hear something tomorrow. This announcement has taken social media by storm with tons of speculation. Celebrity will have to address it, either with new protocol or merely acknowledging it and say they are working on policy behind the scenes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare prmssk Posted July 19, 2022 #8 Share Posted July 19, 2022 2 minutes ago, LMaxwell said: "The CDC said on its website that it will keep giving testing recommendations for cruise ship operators, and that vessels will keep reporting cases to the agency. " So what actually is the material change now? The color code system is completely gone. There is no opting in or opting out of the program anymore for cruise ships. Previously cruise lines/ships that opted in had to follow the recommendations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted July 19, 2022 #9 Share Posted July 19, 2022 13 minutes ago, prmssk said: The color code system is completely gone. There is no opting in or opting out of the program anymore for cruise ships. Previously cruise lines/ships that opted in had to follow the recommendations. With the prior system I wasn't aware of any that had opted out. I guess will have to wait and see what the changes are for how cruise lines will operate and/or the impact to guests/bookings it will have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare prmssk Posted July 19, 2022 #10 Share Posted July 19, 2022 14 minutes ago, LMaxwell said: With the prior system I wasn't aware of any that had opted out. I guess will have to wait and see what the changes are for how cruise lines will operate and/or the impact to guests/bookings it will have. I am pretty sure none of the major ones opted out under the prior system. There was obviously a benefit to them participating in the program and so they were willing to go along with the CDC's recommendations (or maybe they agreed with the CDC's recommendations and so had no reason to opt out). It will be interesting to see what happens now that the program doesn't exist. It will also be interesting to see what, if any, changes to their recommendations the CDC makes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelayne Posted July 19, 2022 #11 Share Posted July 19, 2022 Here is another thread on this topic https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2867113-cdc’s-covid-19-program-for-cruise-ships-is-no-longer-in-effect/?do=getNewComment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nymich Posted July 19, 2022 #12 Share Posted July 19, 2022 Hang on things are about to change! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichYak Posted July 19, 2022 #13 Share Posted July 19, 2022 1 hour ago, LMaxwell said: So what actually is the material change now? Previously, cruise lines that opted in (all the majors did) had to follow all the CDC protocols. Now it's just CDC recommendations and the cruise lines can run their businesses as they see fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5waldos Posted July 19, 2022 #14 Share Posted July 19, 2022 Just keep in mind that the cruise lines are also bound by the regulations of other countries that the ship may visit. Case in point- Canada. Whether the cruise line requires testing or not- Canada currently does prior to boarding if the ship goes to or leaves from any Canadian port. I’m not up on the regulations in other countries but I imagine that Canada is not alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted July 19, 2022 #15 Share Posted July 19, 2022 I'm on BTB cruises in the Med in October on Constellation. I know this is only the CDC program, with potential impact to US ships. But I would be surprised if testing requirements continue much longer in Europe either -- already there are reports of many fewer places that are offering testing, which will make it increasingly difficult for travelers to meet boarding requirements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osborne66 Posted July 19, 2022 #16 Share Posted July 19, 2022 2 hours ago, kathyr said: I would love if it would end the testing- however I think they will start letting unvacinated passengers on first and see how that goes, but still have testing in place. Hope that never happens 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayakcove Posted July 19, 2022 #17 Share Posted July 19, 2022 The cruise lines will have knowledge of how many positive cases are being stopped from boarding, based on the last minute cancelations they get because of positive results. That can help them evaluate the risk to staff and passengers. Tests are a hassle but some comfort as well, potentially reducing my exposure to getting sick and being confined to my cabin. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackshirt Posted July 19, 2022 #18 Share Posted July 19, 2022 11 hours ago, mom says said: Just a word of caution for those who feel compelled to voice their opinions on the current decision - previous threads on this new announcement have already been locked due to violations of the COVID discussion policy. Sharing info and facts is fine, but please keep your opinions to yourself. I was wondering why that other thread got locked. I guess I don’t know what violates the COVID discussion policy because I don’t remember seeing anything that I thought was out of line. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrk2cruise Posted July 19, 2022 #19 Share Posted July 19, 2022 24 minutes ago, kayakcove said: The cruise lines will have knowledge of how many positive cases are being stopped from boarding, based on the last minute cancelations they get because of positive results. That can help them evaluate the risk to staff and passengers. Tests are a hassle but some comfort as well, potentially reducing my exposure to getting sick and being confined to my cabin. Yes they have that information. Why am I not confident that their evaluation of the risk to passengers (me) would align with mine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayleeman Posted July 19, 2022 #20 Share Posted July 19, 2022 (edited) 24 minutes ago, blackshirt said: I was wondering why that other thread got locked. I guess I don’t know what violates the COVID discussion policy because I don’t remember seeing anything that I thought was out of line. Anyone starting a back-and-forth about non-cruise Covid policies and vax choices, especially with comments about whether someone's choice is not smart or necessary, threatens to get a thread blocked. Keeping it about actual information and personal experiences with X seems to be safe. Sometimes a thread gets real contentious and, despite getting blocked, is left up because the other posts may be helpful (and really bad ones may be deleted by the time you see it). Edited July 19, 2022 by mayleeman 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeRick Posted July 19, 2022 #21 Share Posted July 19, 2022 10 hours ago, RichYak said: Previously, cruise lines that opted in (all the majors did) had to follow all the CDC protocols. Now it's just CDC recommendations and the cruise lines can run their businesses as they see fit. Just like every other business in the USA. About time. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saturngrl Posted July 19, 2022 #22 Share Posted July 19, 2022 I sincerely hope the cruise lines will decide to end pre-cruise testing for one virus. We all assume the risk of catching a bug on a cruise and engage in safe hygiene practices when sailing. Prior to COVID, the big fear on ships was Norovirus, which is still a real thing. One can also catch a cold, the flu, and other infections anywhere we go. I saw that Carnival will allow 10% of its passengers to be unvaccinated. I'm cool with that. Again, we all accept the risks of travel, which will never slow me down! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted July 19, 2022 #23 Share Posted July 19, 2022 Just now, TeeRick said: Just like every other business in the USA. About time. Now if Canada will follow the CDC’s lead in the next few weeks, that would be great as we’re on a cruise from NJ to Iceland in early August with port stops in Canada. 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeRick Posted July 19, 2022 #24 Share Posted July 19, 2022 Just now, Saturngrl said: I sincerely hope the cruise lines will decide to end pre-cruise testing for one virus. We all assume the risk of catching a bug on a cruise and engage in safe hygiene practices when sailing. Prior to COVID, the big fear on ships was Norovirus, which is still a real thing. One can also catch a cold, the flu, and other infections anywhere we go. I saw that Carnival will allow 10% of its passengers to be unvaccinated. I'm cool with that. Again, we all accept the risks of travel, which will never slow me down! If the new Omicron-specific booster vaccines are introduced soon, and then seasonal boosters after that matching the COVID circulating strains, it will be very much like managing Flu. It remains to be seen if cruise lines will require cruisers to be Up To Date on Covid vaccines. I hope so. But they have no requirement for Flu vaccines. It is our personal choice. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lena11033 Posted July 19, 2022 #25 Share Posted July 19, 2022 32 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said: Now if Canada will follow the CDC’s lead in the next few weeks, that would be great as we’re on a cruise from NJ to Iceland in early August with port stops in Canada. 😁 I don't think it will, they just reintroduced random testing when landing at the airport 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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