CDC Gives Cruise Lines New Guidelines And Rules For Vaccinated Passengers And Here's What They Are

By: Alana DeRose

aarp.org

The U.S. Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its Operations Manual for Simulated and Restricted Voyages stating what cruise lines will have to do when guests are officially allowed on board.

These updates feature changes in their policies that pertains to either everyone or just vaccinated passengers, but mostly vaccinated passengers.

1. Cruise lines have the option of allowing their guests and crew to not wear a mask outdoors. Meaning cruise lines can still require mask outdoors but that's their decision not the CDC's.

2. Fully vaccinated crew members don't have to wear a mask or maintain social distancing in areas that aren't available to passengers.

3. Cruise ships are able to have areas for fully vaccinated people that have no mask or social distancing requirements and a self-serve buffet could be in one of these areas.

4. If 98% of crew and 95% of passengers are fully vaccinated then the mask and social distancing rule will not be enforced.

5. Fully vaccinated passengers can go on self-guided explorations during the shore excursions and don't have to wear a mask when indoors unless local laws require it