Three Cruise Lines Bring Masks Back in Alaska

Caribbean News…
17 June 2022 12:37am
cruise lines

Three cruise lines – Princess, Holland America and Lindblad Expeditions – are bringing back mask mandates on some Alaska cruises in response to growing numbers of COVID-19 in the 49th State.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the positivity rate in the state climbed from just above 6% in mid-April to hovering at or above 13% on June 12. At the same time, the news is picking up more stories of Alaska-bound cruise ships seeing higher numbers of COVID-19 cases onboard.

Three cruise lines have responded by bringing back indoor mask mandates.

Princess has seen several spikes of COVID-19 cases onboard its Alaska ships over the past month. All six ships sailing in Alaska for Princess are in the CDC’s Orange designation, meaning the “CDC has started an investigation and the ship remains under observation.”

Holland America sent a similar message to passengers booked on its open-jaw cruises between Vancouver and Whittier. Of six Holland America ships deployed in Alaska, four are in the CDC’s Orange designation; one is Yellow (reported cases of COVID-19 are below the threshold for CDC investigation); and one is Green (no reported cases of COVID-19).

Lindblad, which operates several small ships in Alaskan waters, had dropped its mask requirements in April at the start of the cruise season. As of May 18, the line reinstated its face covering requirement for indoor spaces, “due to an increase in COVID-19 cases globally.”

Source: Travel Market Report

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