Have you sailed recently on one of these 21 cruise ships? You may have been exposed to coronavirus
Tens of thousands of cruisers on voyages involving U.S. ports in recent months may have been exposed to the new coronavirus, according to data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A cruise-focused segment of the agency's website updated on Sunday lists 28 sailings on 21 ships in February and March that had passengers on board who contracted the virus.
In some cases, the passengers began experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 while still on board the vessels. In other cases, they began exhibiting symptoms shortly after disembarking.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
The voyages include sailings on three of the world's 10 biggest cruise vessels: Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, and MSC Cruises' MSC Meraviglia. All three of the sailings began and ended in Miami.
The CDC lists 11 voyages operated by six lines where passengers began showing symptoms while still on board. These are the vessels and the sailing dates:
- Celebrity Eclipse (March 2 to 30)
- Disney Wonder (March 6 to 20)
- Grand Princess (Feb. 21 to March 7)
- Norwegian Bliss (March 1 to 8)
- Norwegian Breakaway (March 7 to 14)
- Pride of America (Feb. 29 to March 7)
- Riviera (Feb. 26 to March 11)
- Liberty of the Seas (March 15 to 29)
- Majesty of the Seas (Feb. 29 to March 7)
- Oasis of the Seas (March 8 to 15)
- Symphony of the Seas (March 7 to 14)
There were 17 more sailings operated by eight lines where passengers who contracted COVID-19 began showing symptoms shortly after disembarking. These are the ships and the sailing dates (in the case of two ships, more than one sailing was affected):
- Carnival Imagination (March 5 to 8)
- Carnival Valor (Feb. 29 to March 5; March 5 to 9; March 9 to 14)
- Carnival Vista (Feb. 15 to 22; Feb. 29 to March 7)
- Celebrity Infinity (March 5 to 9)
- Celebrity Reflection (March 13 to 17)
- Celebrity Summit (Feb. 29 to March 7)
- Crown Princess (March 6 to 16)
- Disney Wonder (Feb. 28 to March 2)
- Grand Celebration (Feb. 22 to 24)
- Grand Princess (Feb. 11 to 21)
- MSC Meraviglia (March 1 to 8)
- Norwegian Bliss (March 8 to 15)
- Norwegian Breakaway (Feb. 29 to March 7)
- Explorer of the Seas (March 8 to 15)
For the latter group, passengers showed signs of COVID-19 within 14 days after disembarking -- the estimated maximum incubation period of the illness. That means they could have had the illness while still on board the ships. But the CDC says it's impossible to know for sure.
"The traveler might have contracted COVID-19 during the voyage," the agency said. "However, other sources of transmission after the voyage cannot be ruled out."
Cruisers should note these lists do not include every sailing around the world where passengers may have been exposed to the new coronavirus. The CDC only has jurisdiction over voyages that include at least one stop at a U.S. port, and thus it only tracks illnesses on such sailings. Cruise ships entering U.S. ports are required to inform the CDC of illnesses on board.
Related: Cruise ships could be put into storage for months due to coronavirus
Several high-profile coronavirus outbreaks on cruise ships, such as the February outbreak on the Diamond Princess in Japan, are noticeably absent from the list. That's because the vessels were on itineraries that didn't include a U.S. port. More than 700 passengers on the Diamond Princess tested positive for the coronavirus and 10 died.
Two very recent outbreaks of coronavirus -- on Holland America's Zaandam and Princess Cruises' Coral Princess -- are not on the list because the ships only touched a U.S. port in the last few days.
Related: Death toll rises as Princess tries to clear cruise ship experiencing outbreak
The 28 sailings listed by the CDC could have been carrying as many as 86,658 passengers, according to a TPG analysis of berth availability on the ships.
The listings appear at a section of the CDC website that explains a new coronavirus outbreak-related directive that tightens the requirements for cruise lines disembarking passengers from ships in U.S. ports.
On Saturday, the CDC said cruise lines no longer could use commercial flights or other forms of public transit to transport passengers home from ships. Instead, the agency said lines must charter private aircraft or use other private transportation methods such as private cars to get passengers home.
The directive applies to all travelers arriving in the U.S. via a cruise ship — not just those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
In announcing the directive, the CDC specifically mentioned the high number of cruise ships where passengers may have been exposed to the coronavirus.
"Since February 2020, travelers on dozens of cruise ships have been affected by COVID-19 outbreaks," the agency said. "Cruise ships are often settings for outbreaks of infectious diseases because of the semi-enclosed environment and contact between travelers from many countries. Outbreaks of COVID-19 on cruise ships pose a risk for rapid spread of disease beyond the voyage. Aggressive efforts are required to contain spread."
As part of the new directive, the CDC said passengers leaving cruise ships should wear a face mask or cloth face covering while traveling home from vessels. The agency said cruise lines were responsible for providing such masks to every departing passenger.
Once at home, cruisers should then remain at home for 14 days, the CDC said.
Additional resources for traveling during the coronavirus outbreak:
- How to cancel or postpone a cruise due to coronavirus
- How coronavirus is impacting airline award availability
- How coronavirus has left the travel industry reeling
- Airlines scale back inflight offerings due to coronavirus
- How to ward off coronavirus in your hotel room
- Guide to traveling during the coronavirus outbreak
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.