Level 3

[barjpoe]

I have just read that the CDC lowered the level for cruise ships to Level 3.

My questions is what other form of travel/entertainment, etc. is at level 3 or even still at level 4?

[Zurc]

1 hour ago, barjpoe said:

I have just read that the CDC lowered the level for cruise ships to Level 3.

My questions is what other form of travel/entertainment, etc. is at level 3 or even still at level 4?

The level 3 is for unvaccinated passengers only - per CDC website.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-3/coronavirus-cruise-ship

 

 

[stevendom57]

14 hours ago, Zurc said:

The level 3 is for unvaccinated passengers only - per CDC website.

So ... vaccinated is still at level 4? That makes no sense. 

[Zurc]

13 minutes ago, stevendom57 said:

So ... vaccinated is still at level 4? That makes no sense. 

No - vaccinated are safe to cruise per CDC.  No level for vaccinated.  It has been changed to Level 3 for unvaccinated (all ages unvaccinated).   
 

[JeffB]

16 hours ago, barjpoe said:

I have just read that the CDC lowered the level for cruise ships to Level 3.

My questions is what other form of travel/entertainment, etc. is at level 3 or even still at level 4?

As would be expected the CDC has made these kinds of "level" ratings as confusing as possible. The one in question involves ratings of levels 1-4 - these ratings can be found at the US State Department's web site and listed as "Travel Advisories." Here's the link:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html

Your post seems to be implying, as has long been asked, why are cruise ships different than theme parks, sporting events, indoor casinos, etc.? The defined difference is that cruise ships are considered "congregate settings" wrt to health risk presented within them. The others, although they seem to be that, aren't. You can agree or disagree with the classification of a cruise ship as a congregate setting but it is what it is and with some justification.    

To confuse matters, the CDC has a section on it's web site, overlapping and confusing it appears, with State's Travel Advisories. At the CDC web site these are called "travel Notices." There are three levels of them. Travel Health Notices inform travelers and clinicians about current health issues that impact travelers’ health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters, in destinations around the world. Yea, they're subtly different in nature and intent. I find it confusing like most things the CDC does. 

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices#travel-notice-definitions

So to answer your question, first lets define within which system the rating is being applied. In this case it is in the CDC's Travel Health Notices system - there are four levels of COVID risk; cruise ships have just been moved from level 4 (very high) to level 3 (high). The hazy, ill-defined definition is less important than the risks of getting COVID on a cruise ship are moving down.  The CDC does not evaluate risks in any of the venues you asked about.

Have a look around this web site and click on the link, Learn More About COVID-19 Levels.

[JeffB]

....... and this is as good as any place to talk about this. Most cruisers may know about the kind of information that is available to US citizens wishing to travel abroad at the US State Department's web site. Details of COVID risks in just about any place you want to visit or are passing through are available at the link below.

I was able to drill down to very specific information about Greece. I mentioned yesterday in another thread that a cruise from Athens that I am scheduled to embark upon on July 9th had an update on health and safety protocols that said masks all the time while aboard except while seated and eating or drinking. I said What? I thought that ridiculous stuff only goes on in the US becasue of the crazy CDC. Well, it turns out that Greece still has an all encompassing mask requirement indoors and outdoors, as far as I can tell, vaccine status not withstanding.

My bet is that while in port, you mask. While sailing masking will likely be more relaxed definitely on deck and probably within the ship...... I hope. It is ok to be unmasked on the Greek ferry system when top-side but masked in a ferry's enclosed spaces. But I can see why what was previously described as a no masks required sailing suddenl changed to masks required inside and outside. That's to comply with in-country Greek health protocols that some observant Celebrity employee caught. Of course this may change on all vaxed passenger manifest but better to start off with masks required than to all of a sudden say, well, we didn't tell you to mask before but now we are after everyone is aboard. 

There's a point here. First, if you do the research, you can find what you need to make you feel comfortable (or not) what country specific protocols are needed (or not)about where you're going. Second, think of what the cruise lines are having to deal with!!! Do them a favor and know before you go.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go.html