Two passengers aboard the first major cruise hosting Americans (since the Coronavirus crisis halted the industry) tested COVID-positive in required end-of-cruise testing, Celebrity Cruises revealed on Thursday, June 10.
The two tourists, who shared a stateroom during the 7-day Celebrity Millennium voyage from Philipsburg (St Maarten Island, Dutch Antilles), are asymptomatic and currently in isolation and monitored by a medical team, Celebrity Cruises said in a news release.
"We are conducting contact tracing, expediting testing for all close contacts and closely monitoring the situation."
The liner set sail on Saturday "with fully vaccinated crew and guests and following comprehensive protocols that align with our destination partners and exceed CDC guidelines to protect the health and safety of our guests," the release added.
So-called "breakthrough" COVID cases, in which people get infected following vaccination, are expected. According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published this week, such cases result in milder Covid-19 illness than in unvaccinated people.
All passengers aboard the Celebrity Millennium cruise were required to show vaccination proof and a negative COVID test within 72 hours of departing Saint Maarten, the release said.
~500 guests were onboard, with more than 95% fully vaccinated.
For more Celebrity Millennium accidents and incidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.