New, relaxed rules have been released by The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that dramatically change how guests (specifically vaccinated ones) will experience their cruise.
What can you expect?
The newest update, released on Wednesday, May 26 has stated that- at the discretion of the cruise line- specific on board areas may be designated for fully vaccinated guests to access only.
This could include areas inside casinos, bars, spas, entertainment venues and dining areas…including self-serve buffets! These designated areas will not require guests to wear masks or physical distance here.
Outdoor activities and extended meal service or beverage consumption can also occur without wearing a mask.
If cruises operate with a minimum of 95% of crew and 95% of guests fully vaccinated, masks and physical distancing may not be required in any areas.
Wording has also changed from ‘mandatory’ to ‘recommended’ when it comes to guests social distancing in restaurants and bars.
Limited seating capacities is also now just ‘recommended’ and self-service food and drinks (i.e. the buffets) may be coming back sooner than expected- even to cruises operating without vaccination mandates.
Ships will no longer be ‘required’ to move furniture around to maintain a flow/promote social distancing or force guests to use phone apps or other technology to book appointments on board, though these are CDC recommendations. As are the use of digital menus over handheld.
Physical barriers, such as sneeze guards and partitions physical guides, such as tape on decks and other signage to remind individuals to maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet are also only recommended.
Crew members will also benefit greatly from the loosened rules as these recommendations-but-not-mandates will now spill over into crew areas, too.
All in all, the recommendations and mandates put forth by the CDC are much easier for lines to achieve and it seems the long awaited return to U.S. cruising is, finally, just around the corner.
What do you think- are you booking your next cruise? Tell us your thoughts about the long-awaited return in the comments section below.
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