Just about every travel sector has collapsed during this raging coronavirus pandemic and like air carriers, the cruise lines have been especially hard hit. Initially, the industry suffered terrible press when the virus first exploded across the world scene last February with large ships like the Diamond Princess stuck in quarantine in Japan with more than 3,700 persons on board. Hundreds had fallen victim to COVID-19 and were confined to their cabins while officials feared infected passengers would transmit the virus unchecked if permitted to disembark. Between March 1 and July 10, the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) discovered nearly 3,000 cases of COVID-19 or suspected cases of the virus and recorded 34 deaths across 123 ships. Cruise lines suspended operations worldwide early last spring as borders closed and public health experts warned against the increased health risks for cruise passengers.
Since that time, vaccines have been introduced and millions inoculated, indicating that cruising should be poised to return sometime this year.* And with it comes a huge pent-up demand. Most lines report strong bookings for late 2021 after what will have been more than a year of shutdown. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading trade organization for the industry, found in December (before availability of vaccines) that 73 per cent of cruisers said they were “likely to cruise” in the next few years and 50 per cent saying they would cruise within the year, “Our data shows that cruisers are eager to cruise again and are willing to follow stringent public health measures in order to return to sailing,” said Bari Golan-Blaugrund, CLIA’s Vice President of Strategic Communications.
After lifting its No-Sail Order on October 30, the CDC then issued a Framework for Conditional Sailing Order outlining how safe and responsible cruise ship passenger operations can be resumed. It establishes a framework of actionable items for the cruise line industry to follow so they can resume passenger operations with an emphasis on preventing the further spread of COVID-19 on cruise ships and from cruise ships into communities, and to protect public health and safety. The Order applies to passenger operations on cruise ships with the capacity to carry at least 250 passengers in waters subject to US jurisdiction. “This framework provides a pathway to resume safe and responsible sailing. It will mitigate the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks on ships and prevent passengers and crew from seeding outbreaks at ports and in the communities where they live,” said former-CDC Director Robert Redfield.
We know that cruising will be different going forward. Future cruisers can expect temperature screenings on embarkation and socially-distanced seating to be the norm everywhere, from dining rooms to pool decks. And what about the beloved buffet? The answer varies by cruise line. In many cases, the buffet will still be a dining option but it won’t be the same. In other words, it’ll no longer be a "free-for-all" where you grab whatever you like yourself. Royal Caribbean and its sister lines which include Celebrity and Silversea, plan to offer cruisers a modified buffet. “We think we can provide the same experience without the risk of contagion,” Richard Fain, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, recently explained to USA Today. Passengers will request the items they want and a server will plate it for them. Royal Caribbean and most other lines have announced changes will also be implemented in dining rooms. Masks will be required except while eating and drinking, the number of guests allowed in dining rooms at any one time will be greatly reduced, social distancing will be implemented in seating and standing areas and increased sanitation practiced throughout.
What about vaccine requirements? Several weeks ago, British cruise line Saga Cruises announced they will require all guests to provide proof of the two-dose vaccine at least 14 days before boarding, effective May 4. As a cruise line that caters exclusively to guests aged 50 and above, this can be seen as a rather reasonable requirement. When we do get back to cruising, will the three largest companies - Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line - also require their guests be inoculated? Right now, none of them have instituted such a requirement but that’s not to say they haven't been considering it.
Carnival Cruise Line has indicated that it is too early for any conclusions like this to be drawn. Royal Caribbean’s Richard Fain mentioned in an interview with Porthole Cruise Magazine the decision would be made by the Healthy Sail Panel they have organized in conjunction with Norwegian Cruise Line. This body consists of eleven globally-recognized experts with deep knowledge in the areas of science, medical practice, medical research, public health, infectious disease, biosecurity, hospitality and maritime operations. The panel serves as the two lines’ commitment to protecting their guests, crew and the communities they visit. It seems that Royal Caribbean isn’t looking at a vaccine requirement as a business decision but rather a health call. For their part, Norwegian Cruise Line has been a bit more forthcoming. Frank Del Rio, CEO, has said he would require crew members to be vaccinated at a minimum, and the company is investigating the legality of requiring the same of guests. Del Rio was quoted as saying the following at year-end, “It’s too early to tell whether we have the legal standing to mandate that you take a vaccine to come onboard-lawyers are looking at it as we speak.”
The question remains, “Can a cruise line legally require me to be inoculated?” While there are subtleties to public health laws and patient privacy in different countries, in general, the answer is “yes.” Cruise lines are private businesses and likely have the legal standing necessary to require guests and crew to be vaccinated before they sail in order to protect other passengers and crew members from a disease with a proven history of devastating impact. This doesn’t mean the legality of doing so couldn’t be challenged, but these challenges could face difficulty in court. In adopting such a requirement though, cruise lines would likely be required to offer refunds to anyone who is denied boarding based upon a vaccination stipulation if the guest had booked their travel before this precondition was officially adopted. Caught between the proverbial “rock and a hard place,” refunds of this nature would likely not sit well with cruise lines being anxious to sail again after a full year of their having virtually no income during the pandemic shutdown.
The only two US-based cruise lines announcing mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for guests and crew thus far are the American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines, both part of the Hornblower Group. They reported this move expands upon enhanced health and safety measures already in place, including pre-cruise COVID-19 testing and mask requirements in all areas where social distancing is not possible. Their coronavirus vaccine mandate will apply to sailings on both lines beginning in July.
In all likelihood, cruise lines will be deciding on vaccination requirements very soon and I believe in time, they’ll be adopted. However, one area where policies remains unclear is the impact they’ll have upon younger passengers. As of this date, no vaccines have been approved anywhere for children 16 and under. So, what happens to family cruising? There are no hard and fast answers to this question or others right now because requirements are evolving. But one thing I know for certain. Cruising in the future will be very different from what we knew in the past.
Until next time…stay safe.
*As of February 16, the CDC reported that more than 39 million persons in the US had received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Of those, over 15 million people had received both doses and are fully vaccinated.
Could be challenging for the SAGA cruise line as in the UK many aged 50+ will only just have had the chance to receive their initial vaccine and will not have had the second by the time the cruise is expecting to depart...
Proof of vaccination seems the prudent way to go ensuring everyone will be as safe as can be.
Very interesting as always, George. I can see proof of vaccination being a requirement to disembark at all destination ports — especially for US citizens.
Thanks again for such in depth info. The Healthy Sail Panel sounds like the right decision for all. ❤️