Cruise ship operators may begin simulated voyages with volunteer passengers, according to an order from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The guidelines are a new phase in the CDC’s Framework for Conditional Sailing Order, released in October as a phased approach for preventing Covid-19 transmission aboard cruise ships and eventually resuming cruises with paying passengers.
The instructions include eligibility and requirements for conducting a trial voyage, which would help prepare for future restricted passenger voyages, and guide cruise ship inspection on those voyages.
Since mid-April, the CDC and leaders from other federal agencies have been meeting with cruise line representatives to discuss and exchange information about the impact of vaccines and various other scientific developments since the original conditional sailing order was released.
Many lines are targeting midsummer to resume cruising in US waters, provided they can meet CDC requirements.