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CruisingComfort levels for cruising climbed 21%, according to the world’s most experienced travellers responding to the Global Rescue Summer 2022 Traveler Safety and Sentiment Survey.

Nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents feel much safer or safe enough to cruise compared to only 19% of respondents earlier this year. Forty percent of respondents have already taken a cruise since the pandemic started or, if they haven’t, they plan to this year.

“Confidence in cruising safety is reflected in traveller perception and behaviour. The cruise industry will continue to rebound since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discontinued its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships on July 18,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Cruise industry officials welcomed the end of the mandatory program in favour of a voluntary set of guidelines for public health.

“This is an important step forward in the CDC aligning the guidelines for a cruise with those it has established for other travel, hospitality and entertainment sectors,” said Cruise Lines International Association spokeswoman Anne Madison. The CDC will continue to publish guidance to help cruise ships continue to provide “a safer and healthier environment” for passengers, crew and communities.

“Travelers are eager to make up for lost travel, and they want to do it as safely and confidently as possible so they can regain their family vacations and adventure travels. Seven out of 10 travellers are less concerned about travel, including cruises than before the pandemic. They are going forward with international and domestic travel despite rising costs and travel industry staff shortages,” Richards said.

Written by: Bill McIntyre