Royal Caribbean cruise ship is seen on the Hudson River in New York City. Photo: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday said that travelers who are at increased risk for severe illness from the coronavirus should avoid traveling on cruises.
State of play: The CDC also said that individuals who are not fully vaccinated should avoid taking cruises. Additionally, unvaccinated passengers should self-quarantine for at least seven days after cruise travel, even if they test negative.
- Cruise passengers should wear face masks when in shared spaces, the CDC added.
- Those who decide to go on a cruise should get tested one to three days prior to the trip and three to five days after, regardless of vaccination status.
What they're saying: "The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters aboard ships, and the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high," the CDC said.
The big picture: The updated guidelines follow reports of outbreaks aboard cruises over the summer.