Cruise ships are notorious for close quarters of passengers. Perfect for virus transmission.

November 22, 2020
By Bianca Padro Ocasio

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (click here) upgraded the cruise ship travel risk to a level 4, the federal agency’s highest risk level possible for contracting COVID-19.

Amid reports of widespread outbreaks in cruises earlier this year, CDC recommends for travelers to avoid cruise ships, including river cruises, around the world, given the “very high” risk of becoming infected or spreading the novel coronavirus.

If passengers decide to go on cruises, they should get tested three to five days after the trip. Even if they test negative after a trip, cruise ship travelers should stay home for seven days after the trip....

The statistics below is from the "Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association." 

- In 2016, (click here) a record 24.2 million passengers cruised globally.

- The industry estimates that 25.3 million will cruise globally in 2017

- $117 billion in total economic impact and 956,597 jobs paying $38 billion in wages and salaries were generated by the global cruise industry in 2015.

- The cruise industry is the fastest-growing category in the leisure travel market. Since 1980, the industry has experienced an average annual passenger growth rate of approximately 7% per annum.

- Demand for cruising increased 62% between 2005 and 2015.

- The cruise industry is the fastest-growing category in the leisure travel market. Since 1980, the industry has experienced an average annual passenger growth rate of approximately 7% per annum.

- From a capacity standpoint, utilization is consistently over 100%.

- Eight out of 10 CLIA-certified travel agents expect increased cruise sales in 2017.

- Throughout its history, the cruise industry has responded to vacation desires of its guests and embraced innovation to develop new destinations, new ship designs, new and diverse onboard amenities, facilities and services, plus wide-ranging shore side activities. Cruise lines have also offered their guests new cruise themes and voyage lengths to meet the changing vacation patterns of today’s travelers.