CDC’s Framework for Conditional Sailing Order Temporarily Extended Through January 15, 2022

Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a temporary extension of the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO) for cruise ships through January 15, 2022. After January 15, the CDC says it will transition to a voluntary program in coordination with cruise ship operators.

CDC CSO Framework Temporary Extension 20211025

The CDC’s temporary extension includes minor modifications and applies to all commercial, non-cargo, foreign-flagged, passenger-carrying vessels currently operating or planning to operate in U.S. waters with the capacity to carry at least 250 individuals and with an itinerary anticipating an overnight stay onboard or a 24-hour stay onboard for either passengers or crew. After the expiration of this temporary extension, CDC intends to transition to a voluntary program, in coordination with the cruise ship operators and other stakeholders, to assist the cruise industry to detect, mitigate, and control the spread of COVID-19 onboard cruise ships.

Since the issuance of the CSO on October 30, 2020, cruise lines, with CDC assistance, have developed and implemented strong health and safety protocols to manage COVID-19 and resumed passenger operations. The procedures put in place to resume passenger operations have successfully averted overwhelming onboard medical facilities and burdening shoreside hospital resources. However, CDC decided to temporarily extend the Order due to the continued spread of the Delta variant. After the expiration of this temporary extension next year, CDC intends to transition to a voluntary program. This transition will continue strong measures to detect, mitigate, and control the spread of COVID, and it will align with other travel orders including the global contract tracing and global testing orders.

The temporary extension of the CSO leaves major provisions of the previous CSO unchanged with only minor modifications to incorporate changes in technical instructions made based on discussions and feedback from cruise ship operators and announced through “Dear Colleague” communications to industry partners. The following is a chart showing modifications from the original CSO such as the removal of the requirement to limit voyage to 7 days.

CSO SectionsModifications
Acronyms, Initialisms, and Definitions • Definition of cruise ships narrowed by adding “foreign-flagged”
Purpose and Scope • Unchanged
General Prohibition on a Cruise Ship Operator Commencing or Continuing Passenger Operations without a COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate • Unchanged
Requirements for COVID-19 Response Plan for Cruise Ship Operators Operating or Intending to Operate Cruise Ships in U.S. Waters • Previously referred to as “No Sail Order (NSO) Response Plans”
• No changes for operators with previously approved plans
Requirements for COVID-19 Testing Capabilities and Reporting for Cruise Ship Operators Operating or Intending to Operate Cruise Ships in U.S. Waters • No new requirements: cruise ship operators completed requirements as part of previous CSO “Phase 1” crew testing
• Modified to incorporate current Technical Instructions for Crew
Agreement with Port and Local Health Authorities • Modified to incorporate current Port Agreement Technical Instructions
Minimum Standards for Simulated Voyages Prior to Issuance of COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate • Removed language referring to cruise ship operator protocols as “unproven and untested”
• Modified to incorporate current Technical Instructions for Simulated Voyages
Procedures in Lieu of Conducting a Simulated Voyage for Cruise Ship Operators Transitioning to Voyages with Less Than 95% of Passengers Fully Vaccinated • New provision aimed at reducing potential industry burden for certain operators
• Based on “Dear Cruise Industry Colleagues” email sent on September 21, 2021. Webpage updates pending
Modified Simulated Voyage Requirements in Lieu of a Full Simulated Voyage for Cruise Ship Operators Repositioning to U.S. Waters and Intending to Operate with Less than 95% of Passengers Fully Vaccinated • New provision aimed at reducing potential industry burden for certain operators
• Based on “Dear Cruise Industry Colleagues” email sent on September 21, 2021. Webpage updates pending
Applying for a COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate • Shortened CDC’s time to respond to an application from 60 days to 5 days based on “Dear Cruise Industry Colleagues” letter of April 28, 2021
• Removed requirement for an attestation under 18 U.S.C. 1001 in line with intent to operate future program on a voluntary basis
• Removed requirement to submit a copy of the USCG Certificate of Inspection
Review of an Application for a COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate • Removed requirement to submit proof of inspection by any other agency
Amendment or Modification of COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate Unchanged from original CSO • Unchanged
Minimum Standards for Restricted Passenger Voyages as a Condition of Obtaining and Retaining a COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate• Removed requirement to include any CDC travel advisory, warning, or recommendation relating to cruise travel in marketing material
• Removed requirement to limit voyage to 7 days
• Removed requirement for monitored observation period of passengers prior to embarking
Minimum Standards for Management of Passengers and Crew from COVID-19-affected Cruise Ships for Restricted Passenger Voyages • Modified to state that voyage may be ended and further action taken if a ship meets “red ship criteria” under Technical Instructions for Crew
• Removed previous requirement that cruise ship operator must immediately end voyage, cancel future voyages, and return to port if COVID-19 identified onboard.
Denials, Suspension, Revocation, and Reinstatement of a Cruise Ship Operator’s COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate • Unchanged
Administrative review • Unchanged • Unchanged
CDC CSO Extension 10 25 21 P Modifications

While cruising will always pose some risk of disease spread, CDC remains committed to ensuring that cruising is conducted in way that protects crew members, passengers, port personnel, and communities. CDC continues to collaborate with the cruise industry and other partners to resume cruising following the recommendations and requirements outlined in the CSO Extension.

This Order (PDF) will remain in effect until the earliest of

  1. The expiration of the Secretary of Health and Human Services’ declaration that COVID-19 constitutes a public health emergency,
  2. The CDC Director rescinds or modifies the order based on specific public health or other considerations, or
  3. January 15, 2022.

CDC will continue to update its guidance and recommendations based on the best scientific evidence available. For more information about COVID-19 and cruise ships, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/index.html. To view the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO), go to https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/covid19-cruiseships.html.

The temporary extension was published in the Federal Register on October 28, 2021.

22 Replies to “CDC’s Framework for Conditional Sailing Order Temporarily Extended Through January 15, 2022”

      1. Brad Jorban

        When I spoke with DCL last week about the upcoming Westbound Panama Canal cruise, leaving next week, the representative said that even if the CDC extended the order, it would not apply to the 14 day voyage. So clearly they had advanced notice that they would be lifting the 7 day limit and be able to sail.

        Reply
  1. Marcus

    The Delta variant? No one is even talking about that anymore. Why? Because it’s nearly burned out. After Jan 15, 2022 comes and goes I better hear from DCL that all restrictions are removed or I cancel next year’s cruise. I’m still hopeful that Florida will continue to push it’s law and fine these cruise lines that are in violation.
    Oh, and DCL keeps sending me emails with 25% discounts. What’s up, DCL? Can’t get enough people on your ships? Good luck with that. I wouldn’t sail right now if I were paid to.

    Reply
    1. Brad Jorban

      Then it sounds like you will cancel next year’s cruise. The Delta cariant is still killing 3,000 people a day, largely in areas like Florida that have pitiful vaccination rates. And trying to socialize private industries like cruising with a ban on common sense practices like vaccines and masks will only guarantee that the death rates will persist and the government will continue to do what it can to save lives. And while DCL may be hurting, The Mouse is doing fine charging suckers $150 just to enter the parks and then charging for each ride on top of that!

      Reply
      1. Marcus

        Mr. Jorban, what you have just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul

        Reply
        1. Phil

          Don’t worry, Brad, he threw that exact same insult at me in another forum. He’s so stupid he can’t come up with new ones.

          Reply
            1. Brad Jorban

              Sad. Such a tiny, angry man. I acknowledge that I am making assumptions about how you identify, but women tend to not waste their time simply throwing such anger out into the world. Not that I expect you have much experience interacting with them in your tiny, angry incel life.

              Reply
              1. Brad Jorban

                Wow, that is such a well-argued and emotionally detached posting (whose anonymity does NOT indicate any level of cowardice), and you are clearly not at all unhinged. I am humbled by your brilliance! *bowing

                Reply
        2. Brad Jorban

          Marc,

          For a moment there, I considered the possibility that you were right and consulted with friends and colleagues. They all, without regard to whether they concurred with the points I made, agree that there is nothing rambling or incoherent in anything I wrote and I am now going to suggest you reach out to people whom you hold in high regard and ask if they are willing to endorse your ad hominem attack.

          I’m not sure whether you are questioning the numbers or the interpretation of actions taken in Florida, but they are easy enough to verify. As for your approach, I don’t know if nasty is your go-to, but bullying tactics rarely change minds, let alone when they come from a place of abject ignorance. As for your invocation of God, as He would be horrified at your having taken His name in vain, I’m going to suggest you brush up on your Scriptures and stop being such a tiny, angry man.

          And, again, you will 100% be canceling your trip next year, or proving yourself a hypocrite when nobody at DCL accedes to your demands. Not that I imagine you ever acknowledge when you are wrong, let alone apologize. But you’ll see in early 2022, when these requirements from Disney remain in place.

          Reply
  2. David

    We sail in January, then again in March, I’d sail right now if had the leave hours… The military rate right now, plus the low population on the ship.. I’d leave today if possible… Hopefully come 15 Jan the CDC gets out completely and cruiselines can go back to being normal, like football stadiums, baseball stadiums, etc…

    Reply
    1. Brad Jorban

      I think you are assuming that masks and vaccines are being foisted on the cruise industry by the CDC. Think it possible that they are the ones implementing such policies and then encouraging the agency to give them cover. In a place like Florida, where the government is trying to prevent private and privately-held companies from implementing life-saving policies, cruise lines like DCL have decided it’s worth taking on tyrants so they have the freedom to make the choice to save customers’ lives. Just like you have the choice to not give your money to a company determined to save your life against your will…

      Reply
  3. Diane

    We sailed on DCL just this past September and it was absolutely by far the BEST Disney cruise we had ever taken. Cannot rave enough about how great it was. The restrictions were not even an issue as a matter of fact it didn’t seem any different except for way less crowded (a huge plus!) and masks were on inside. Disney is and will continue to be the only cruise line we sail on. Already booked on the wish for next September!

    Reply
      1. Brad Jorban

        Yeah, I don’t know what “living a normal life” means in a world where 3,000 people (predominantly in unvaccinated areas) die each day of a preventable disease, but you will 100% be wearing masks inside and not directly interacting with characters onboard. There will also be limitations in the kids clubs and reduced entertainment options. But you’ll still have more fun than not being on a Disney cruise, unless you let the masks bother you. Have a great time.

        Reply
  4. Sharon

    Our cruise departs on Jan 15th. I’m assuming DCL will keep the restrictions in place for our cruise and not change them during the sailing. So I’m assuming we’ll be wearing masks, no fish extenders, etc.

    Reply
  5. Carys

    I hope restrictionists are lifted by 7 night British isles cruise on September 11th to September 18th 2022 that guests won’t have wear masks and the characters meet and greet will be back to normal where guests can stand next to characters with be 2 metres away from characters and kids can spend all day at oceanneer and lab. And all three show Cinderella twice charmed Disney dreams an enchanted classic and tangled the musical are on at Walt Disney theatre and deck party sail a wave party an Bon voyage celebration and frozen deck party be back on. And that guests be to have more 2 hours on aquadunk and in the swimming pools.

    Reply
  6. Carys

    hope restrictionists are lifted by 7 night British isles cruise on September 11th to September 18th 2022 that guests won’t have wear masks and the characters meet and greet will be back to normal where guests can stand next to characters without being 2 metres away from characters and kids can spend all day at oceanneer and lab. And all three show Cinderella twice charmed Disney dreams an enchanted classic and tangled the musical are on at Walt Disney theatre and deck party sail a wave party an Bon voyage celebration and frozen deck party be back on. And that guests be to have more 2 hours on aquadunk and in the swimming pools.

    Reply

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