State Department advises against travel by cruise ship

"This entails avoiding crowded places, avoiding non-essential travel such as long plane trips, and especially avoiding embarking on cruise ships."

This will be tough on the cruise industry and could have an extended effect. If the virus eases some, there could be some real bargains on cruises. We are just off of 25 days so I think we timed it well -- by accident.

Cruises are staffed by some of the hardest working people in the world all of whom are on short term contracts. This will be devastating to them and their families who wait at home and are dependent on their income. I feel very sorry for them.

While I agree and understand Alan’s point , I personally would not want to be stuck in quarantine on a cruise ship ! Especially not in a cheap cabin !

In 5 weeks my friends mom is leaving for something like five eeeks of back to back cruising , she is in her early 80s .

She refused to even acknowledge this “ virus nonsense “ . Sigh

Yes, the workers on cruise ships will be affected but so is everybody in the travel industry. We are hearing from rental agents in Italy, our guides in Egypt, many people who have different jobs in the travel industry who are affected by the Coronavirus outbreak. Our Egyptian guide didn’t have any work for five years following the Arab Spring and is just getting back on his feet again.

CDC has also recommended, especially for those with underlying health issues, no travel by cruise ship and for older adults (and travelers with underlying health issues) avoid taking any long, non-essential, air flights.

Key Points
CDC recommends travelers, particularly those with underlying health issues, defer all cruise ship travel worldwide.
Sustained community spread of respiratory illness caused by COVID-19 has been reported in many countries.
Cruise ship passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.
Older adults and travelers with underlying health issues should avoid situations that put them at increased risk for more severe disease. This entails avoiding crowded places, avoiding non-essential travel such as long plane trips, and especially avoiding embarking on cruise ships.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/covid-19-cruise-ship

~Darrel

I understand the cruise ship issue. But I have to ask myself, what will be the death toll due to the panic? Not the disease, just the panic. By discussing this thing to the extent that it has been discussed, businesses will be ruined, people who depend on those businesses to pay their medical bills, prescriptions, food, etc are in for a had time. Some wont make it.

Thanks to all who continue to refer to factual government information related to COVID-19. I depend on this as a healthcare professional. As previously mentioned (unfortunately) in all likelihood it appears that the social and economic fall out will linger beyond the virus. With that I share what my WA DOH conveys: Practice Compassion. "Have compassion for people and communities who have been heavily impacted by the disease." Lots of challenges ahead.

It will be interesting to see what happens to this virus as the weather warms up. The flu often subsides in the spring, but not always.

I feel bad for retirees and those near retirement that are watching their earnings plummet with the stock market. The federal government may need to take 2008 level actions.

Not the disease, just the panic. By discussing this thing to the extent that it has been discussed, businesses will be ruined, people who depend on those businesses to pay their medical bills, prescriptions, food, etc are in for a had time. Some wont make it.

No, the impact is caused not by panic but by rational and very much needed measures to limit the spread of a deadly disease for which there is no cure. True, it doesn't kill many people under age 40, but if all those people regard these measures as "panic," and refuse to comply, then they will be passing the disease to their friends, neighbors and relatives over age 60 and those under age 60 with health issues.

Every natural disaster has businesses that are impacted, and sometimes ruined. When I lived in the snow belt, if there was a winter or two with no snow, ski areas were in danger of going bankrupt, and if there was way too much snow, restaurants and other businesses that rely on pedestrian traffic lost money big time. This is life. Life is uncertain. And that's what we are seeing here, too.