Major cruise lines confirmed they will participate in the USA's CDC agency's updated program for cruise vessels operating in national waters.
CCL-Carnival Cruise Line confirmed on Friday, February 18, that it will participate in the CDC program. CCL is advising passengers of the following changes:
- Effective with voyages departing March 1, masks onboard will be recommended but not required. There may, however, be venues and events where masks will be required.
- Carnival Cruise Line will continue to meet the standard of vaccinated cruises, but kids under 5 years old will not be included in any vaccinated passenger calculation, and thus won't be required to receive an exemption to sail.
- Effective with voyages departing March 1, some additional flexibility in pre-cruise testing requirements will be available.
HAL-Holland America Line also confirmed it will participate in the program. The company will continue to operate vaccinated voyages, with the same 2 key changes to onboard protocols for passengers beginning March 1.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) that owns the subsidiaries NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania, and RSSC-Regent Seven Seas, had previously announced it would join the program.
Royal Caribbean Group (RCG), that owns RCI-Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity, and Silversea, reconfirmed on Friday it had joined the program.