The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an updated color-coded status for individual cruise ships operating within their jurisdiction on July 13, 2021. The enhancements feature a shift from away from showing the no sail order response plan to now reporting each ships current voyage type. The Commercial Travel column was replaced by CDC Actions for Ships Reporting COVID-19 Cases to allow for the CDC to share with the public the actions in place.

As of the July 13th update, all 3 of the Disney Cruise Line ships in U.S. Waters are in green status with the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy both approved for simulated voyages in the Crew Only (approved for simulated) status. The Disney Wonder remains in a Crew Only status while she is berthed at Port Everglades. The Disney Magic will return to revenue sailings tomorrow when the first non-simulation UK Staycation cruise departs Liverpool and is not currently subject to the CDC’s oversight.

According to the CDC, the ship’s color status is determined using surveillance data from the previous 7 days—regardless of voyage dates— and CDC investigation findings. The following persons are not included when determining a ship’s color status:

• Passengers who test positive for COVID-19 on the day of embarkation who do not board the ship, or
• Newly embarking crew members who test positive during their embarkation quarantine period.

CDC Ship Color Code Statues

• 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.

You can always check the CDC’s website for the most up to date status on all cruise ships currently in U.S. waters.