First Ship Sets Sail from US Port Since COVID-19 Docked Cruise Industry

The Celebrity Edge set sail to the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, Florida Saturday evening at 40% passenger capacity and with 100% of its staff and 95% of its passengers vaccinated against COVID-19. It was the first cruise ship to leave a U.S. port in more than 15 months following a no-sail order, CNN reports.

As confined spaces previously packed to full capacity, cruise ships can easily house outbreaks of norovirus and other infectious diseases. Many ships have come under fire for improper cleaning and hygiene practices. Once the COVID-19 virus hit, cruise ships were especially vulnerable, with the Diamond Princess reporting more than 700 coronavirus infections onboard, leading many passengers to be quarantined on the ship.

The Celebrity cruise line does not plan to exceed 50% capacity on any of its trips this summer. In addition to setting rigorous cleaning protocols, the cruise line has tested its ventilation systems and found them more than adequate due to the large number of air change rates and installation of high-quality filters. If an infectious disease outbreak does occur, the ship has on onboard medical until that can manage 33 patients and includes four intensive care unit (ICU) beds. The entire medical area is on a separate ventilation system.

To lessen chances of infection, passengers were assigned staggered arrival and departure times to prevent large crowds. Crews will be serving food instead of passengers helping themselves at the buffets. Occupancy will be limited in gyms, on dance floors, and in other areas where people perform high-energy activities that lead to more droplet release and a higher inhalation flow.

The ship capped the number of cabins for people who chose not to disclose their vaccination status at 5%. They are presumed to be unvaccinated and will have to wear masks in public areas as well as undergo additional COVID-19 testing, both onboard and midway through the cruise. Everyone will be tested before disembarking in the United States at the end of the seven-day cruise.