How Safe Is It To Cruise Right Now?

The risk of a COVID-19 outbreak is higher when many people share a common space, such as a cruise ship. Most cruise lines have dropped vaccination and testing requirements, so travelers should consider their risk level based on their health status before booking a cruise and take precautions while on board to avoid getting sick. Leading up to your cruise vacation, it’s a good idea to limit exposure to people outside of your household, wear a mask in crowded settings, practice good hand hygiene, and take a rapid test.

The CDC added cruise ships to its list of Level 4 destinations you should avoid visiting for now due to high levels of COVID-19. The world’s largest cruise companies now require passengers leaving U.S. ports to be fully vaccinated, with limited exceptions. Experts weigh in on pandemic-era learnings and what’s ahead.

The answer is generally no, as cruises are safe if you follow the same common-sense practices you would use anywhere else. It’s easy to let your guard down, but it’s important to consider the number of accidents in relation to the number of incidents. Cruise ports can be dangerous, with drones now off-limits for safety reasons.

However, modern cruise ships are statistically one of the safest forms of travel. By the end of 2023 alone, there will have been an increase in the number of cases of COVID-19 cases on cruise ships. Cruises are one of the safest forms of travel, and many diseases prevented by routine vaccination are not common in the United States.