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CDC sticks to its conditional sail order timeline

Cruise stocks took a tumble after financial media were abuzz about the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sticking to its conditional sail order.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

March 24, 2021

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

That Oct. 30, 2020 order has not been extended, as some reports suggested.

It always was set to expire Nov. 1, 2021, unless rescinded by the CDC director or unless the US declaration of COVID-19 as a public health emergency expired.

CNBC reported the CDC issued 'new guidance' that the conditional sailing order will remain in effect until November.

That's not new. It just means there hasn't been a change. 

Reiterating timeline

Sources said the agency was only reiterating its timeline in response to calls by Cruise Lines International Association and the American Society of Travel Advisors to lift the conditional sail order by July, citing changes — like vaccines — that have occurred in the months since the order was issued.

UBS also interpreted the CDC's statement that way.

'We believe this just means they aren’t dropping the conditional order; rather they will still allow test cruises and a phased reopening,' UBS analyst Robin Farley said in a note. '... The response today is not a longer ban on cruising.'

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

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