Covid-19 has hurt many businesses and companies, but one particular crisis is the cruise industry. Instead of shutting down, cruise lines have done everything they can to stay open, including quarantining on the ship. The CDC is warning against cruise travel, but are strict rules nearly enough to stop the spread?

What is happening to the cruise guests onboard?

According to the CDC, the guests must test negative for Covid 1-3 days before departure, regardless of vaccination status. If all is well, the cruise should continue as scheduled. If a Covid-19 outbreak occurs, the affected individuals must quarantine in their rooms. Only room service would be acceptable in offering food, some individuals said during their quarantine that the food served was mostly rotten or inedible due to lack of chefs available. CNN Travels has summarized the health and safety protocols on cruise ships departing, explaining Coronavirus vaccines are required, with some exception of children, and masks are to be worn indoors at all times. 

How bad is Covid-19 on cruises?

For a struggling country with Covid, the CDC thought cruise lines would be shut down, but that’s not the case. According to studies, every single cruise ship that has been let out of a United States harbor has reported several Covid-19 cases, and enough that it would warrant an investigation. Cruise lines are suggesting keeping everyone in their rooms at all times, and only letting them out at the time of it’s reached destination, but obviously this has not decreased or controlled Covid-19 cases. The CDC says “the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is very high, even if you are fully vaccinated and have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose,” therefore vaccinations do not help contain coronavirus at all.

It seems that as the world cruises on, no pun intended, the amount of effort put into controlling the Covid-19 virus will never be enough, and the virus will always find a way to be stronger, especially on a cruise ship.