COVID-19 CRUISING

Industry is hopeful for a rebound now that coronavirus vaccines have arrived

BY MORGAN HINES

NANCY SOBEL, WHO calls herself a “cruiseaholic,” is eager to get back out to sea and started getting ready to do so as soon as distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines began.

Sobel had four cruises booked for 2020 before the pandemic struck, including one transAtlantic trip with her son from New York to Rome in May, which was canceled.

“When the vaccine became a reality, I booked the same trip, but in reverse for November 2021,” Sobel says.

With vaccines being distributed rapidly around the nation, more cruise passengers, along with industry officials, have voiced confidence.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledges vaccines could help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on cruise ships, which haven’t sailed in U.S. waters since March 2020 following multiple outbreaks on ships at the pandemic’s onset.

Caitlin Shockey, a CDC spokesperson, says that vaccinations paired with other preventative measures such as COVID-19 testing before and after travel, mask wearing, hand-washing, social distancing and frequent cleaning can be an effective strategy to reduce the transmission of the coronavirus during travel — including on cruises.

Gay Courter was sailing on the Diamond

Princess when it became one of the first ships that had to quarantine passengers because of coronavirus infections. More than 700 people were infected with the virus, and nine died. Courter has since written a book about the experience and says she is inspired by the availability of vaccines and believes everyone on board should be vaccinated before cruising again.

“There should be vaccination passports — just like we had years ago verifying that we had smallpox, typhoid, polio, etc. — in order to keep those countries safe,” she says, noting “travel is not a given right.”

Myla Goldman, a frequent cruiser, doesn’t have any hesitation about getting back on a ship. “I am ecstatic that there are several viable vaccines,” she says.

In fact, Goldman is so comfortable with the idea of getting back to sea that she has decided to live on a cruise ship. “I am going to be a resident of Storylines condo/cabin residential ship. They are building a new ship, ready in 2023, and I am so happy to join them.”

While cruising is not yet recommended, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has offered tips for those who plan to sail during the pandemic.

cruise if you are sick, if you know you have COVID-19 or if you were exposed to a person with COVID-19 within the past 14 days.

travel with your health care provider.

feet (about two arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you — both indoors and outdoors.

uWear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are in shared spaces.

often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. uAvoid contact with anyone who is sick. uAvoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

with symptoms of COVID-19, stay in your cabin and notify the onboard medical center immediately.