Cruise Company Stocks Jump

Shares of cruise line stocks jumped on Tuesday after Monday’s news of the CDC ending the COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships.

The decision allows cruise operators to make their own rules when it comes to health and safety protocols. Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival have started that they are waiting for further guidance from the CDC to be released before they make any decisions.

The last two years have seen cruise line stocks at record lows, with Royal Caribbean leading the pack in dropping 84 percent in the first three months of 2020.

Azamara Lifts Testing Requirement

Another cruise line has lifted its pre-cruise testing requirement. Premium brand Azamara announced that starting July 25, negative test results will no longer be required to cruise, except in destinations that continue to mandate it.

The line is still requiring that all guests 12 and older are vaccinated, including booster shots if eligible for them.

Azamara joins a growing list of lines that have dropped testing for most of their sailings, including Viking, Norwegian, and Oceania Cruises.

STORY: Azamara Lifts Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Testing Requirement

Belize Lifts Travel Restrictions

The Government of Belize has removed all COVID-19 restrictions for visitors entering the country by land or sea. Proof of vaccination is no longer required, and travel insurance is encouraged, but now optional.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness for Belize, said “With the emergence of weaker variants of COVID-19 and with the global trend of restrictions being relaxed, the time has come to take the pressure off of our health systems. We’ve reached a level where it’s now everyone’s personal responsibility to decide whether they want to be vaccinated or not.”

One requirement does remain in place: travelers who are staying overnight, which doesn’t include cruise passengers, must continue to book their stay at a BTB Gold Standard approved hotel.

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