Cruise Ship Color and Commercial Travel Status

• Green status means the ship has no reports of cases of COVID-19 or COVID-19-like illness.
• Orange status means the ship has reported cases of COVID-19 but is below the threshold for CDC investigation.
• Yellow status means the ship has met the threshold for CDC investigation because the ship has met one of the following criteria:
  • at or above the investigation threshold for crew COVID-19 cases,
  • at or above the investigation threshold for passenger COVID-19 cases; or
  • state or local health department notified CDC of passenger COVID-19 cases occurring within 5 days of disembarkation.
• Red status means the ship is at or above the threshold for passenger and crew COVID-19 cases. Based on CDC's investigation, additional precautions, such as returning to port immediately or delaying the next voyage, will be taken if it is suspected that continuing normal operations may subject on board travelers or newly arriving travelers to disease.

CDC will follow up with cruise ships when an investigation is required as ships begin passenger operations on simulated or restricted voyages under the CSO. For more details about the thresholds for investigation or red status, see Technical Instructions for Mitigation of COVID-19 Among Cruise Ship Crew.

How did CDC determine the threshold of COVID-19 cases for investigating a cruise ship?

The threshold for investigation was developed based on several factors, including the need for transparency while acknowledging that cruising is not a zero-risk activity. This investigation threshold gives CDC and the cruise industry the ability to work closely together to protect the health and safety of those on board and in communities. CDC's objectives for establishing the threshold included mitigating on-going COVID-19 transmission between voyages and ensuring medical resources on board are not overwhelmed. This threshold may be modified for future restricted passenger voyages based on lessons learned from simulated voyages or completed restricted passenger voyages, the evolution of the pandemic, or other factors.

What happens if there are cases of COVID-19 reported on board a restricted passenger voyage?

CDC will investigate cruise ships that reach the investigation threshold for COVID-19 cases among crew or passengers. As part of the investigation, CDC will obtain additional information from the cruise ship, such as case exposure histories, details about close contacts, traveler vaccination rates, and medical capacities.

CDC will work closely with the cruise line and consider multiple factors before assigning a 'Red' status to the ship.

Should I be concerned if a cruise ship status is 'Orange' or 'Yellow'?

CDC acknowledges that it is not possible for cruising to be a zero-risk activity for spread of COVID-19. Cruising will always pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission. Therefore, public health measures, including testing and vaccinations, will continue to play a role. CDC recommends that all travelers (passengers and crew) get fully vaccinated against COVID-19. CDC recommends that people who are not fully vaccinated avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide.

Why is CDC requiring ships to routinely test all crew members during the CSO, including those on 'Green' ships?

The purpose of testing during the CSO is to quickly identify cases of COVID-19 (and test and quarantine their close contacts who are not fully vaccinated) to prevent ongoing transmission between voyages.

What does it mean if a cruise line or cruise ship is not listed on the table above?

If a cruise line or cruise ship is not listed, it means that the ship is not operating or intending to operate in U.S. waters during the period of the CSO or that the ship has not yet completed all requirements for operating under the CSO (e.g., the ship has not yet submitted at least 14 days of surveillance data to CDC in accordance with the Technical Instructions).

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