The CDC has released their Guidance for Cruise Ships on the Mitigation and Management of COVID-19. Cruise lines can now review the guidance and make further determinations about their health and safety protocols. Upon initial review, it appears the key changes in this latest guidance is the wording. Phrases like “cruise ship operators should consider” are used versus “requiring” or “recommending” as used in the past.

You can read the guidelines on the CDC’s website here.

Royal Caribbean responded to the initial lifting of the CDC’s program for cruise ships with the following statement:

“The U.S. CDC recently announced that the COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships is no longer in effect, and published recommendations to guide cruise lines as they determine protocols. Upon review, we will adjust our protocols and provide guidance to our guests. For now, our current protocols remain in effect for cruises departing U.S. homeports.”

As we await updates from Royal Caribbean, all protocols remain in place, so don’t toss those COVID-19 test kits just yet!