Key TakeawaysThe CDC’s no sail order for cruise ships is set to expire after October 31.After that, cruise ships will be able to sail in the U.S. again.The CDC urges caution for anyone wishing to take a cruise.

Key Takeaways

The CDC’s no sail order for cruise ships is set to expire after October 31.After that, cruise ships will be able to sail in the U.S. again.The CDC urges caution for anyone wishing to take a cruise.

The White House has reportedly blocked an order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to keep cruise ships from sailing until the middle of February. The CDC’s current “no sail” policy was extended but is expected to end after October 31.

The CDC also says that outbreaks on cruise ships overseas “provide current evidence that cruise ship travel continues to transmit and amplify the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, even when ships sail at reduced passenger capacities—and would likely spread the infection into U.S. communities if passenger operations were to resume prematurely in the United States.”

What Is Norovirus?

Despite these findings, cruise lines are now preparing to set sail again, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). They have released protocols member cruise lines will be taking once sailing resumes.

ButJohn Sellick, MD, an infectious disease expert and professor of medicine at the University at Buffalo/SUNY, isn’t convinced. “I think it’s insane,” he tells Verywell. “Cruise ships are everything we talk about being problematic. There are lots of people from all over, very close together.”

Despite the guidance and new regulations, Sellick says he anticipates outbreaks from cruises, both on ships and in ports like areas of Florida. “I don’t see this having a good outcome,” he says.

What This Means For YouWhile the CDC’s no sail order for cruise lines is set to expire after October 31, medical experts don’t recommend setting sail during the pandemic.

What This Means For You

While the CDC’s no sail order for cruise lines is set to expire after October 31, medical experts don’t recommend setting sail during the pandemic.

What Precautions Will Cruise Lines Take?

The CLIA says all ocean-going cruise lines—95% of global cruise ships—must have credentialed doctors and nurses on board who are required to provide health declarations detailing illnesses of passengers to port authorities before a ship can enter.

The CLIA breaks down precautions member cruise lines will take once they can resume sailing in the U.S.:

The CLIA also shared that additional measures are being finalized and will be announced “in the coming weeks.” Those include:

The CLIA did not yet detail regulations for the use of onboard gyms, pools, and buffet dining. A spokesperson for CLIA did not respond to Verywell’s request for comment.

Additional Precautions From the CDC

The CDC has released lengthy guidance for cruise ship operators to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The CDC does not say that it is safe to sail, but claims that cleaning and disinfection protocols “may reduce transmission of COVID-19 on ships.”

For people who plan to take a cruise, the CDC offers the following safety advice:

It’s unclear if the no sail order will be extended again if COVID-19 cases increase in the U.S.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cruise ship no sail order extended through October 31, 2020.Kaplan S.White House blocked C.D.C. order to keep cruise ships docked.New York Times.Cruise Lines International Association.Cruise industry COVID-19 facts and resources.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Interim guidance for ships on managing suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

4 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cruise ship no sail order extended through October 31, 2020.Kaplan S.White House blocked C.D.C. order to keep cruise ships docked.New York Times.Cruise Lines International Association.Cruise industry COVID-19 facts and resources.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Interim guidance for ships on managing suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cruise ship no sail order extended through October 31, 2020.Kaplan S.White House blocked C.D.C. order to keep cruise ships docked.New York Times.Cruise Lines International Association.Cruise industry COVID-19 facts and resources.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Interim guidance for ships on managing suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cruise ship no sail order extended through October 31, 2020.

Kaplan S.White House blocked C.D.C. order to keep cruise ships docked.New York Times.

Cruise Lines International Association.Cruise industry COVID-19 facts and resources.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Interim guidance for ships on managing suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

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