Cruises in times of covid-19: passengers test positive 0:54
(CNN) -
Royal Caribbean postponed the inaugural sailing of its Odyssey of the Seas cruise after eight vaccinated crew members tested positive for COVID-19, the company's CEO said.
The positive tests come as the major cruise lines are finally starting to sail for the first time since the pandemic halted their movements.
All eight positive cases were identified during routine testing, Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley said in a statement posted on Facebook.
“All 1,400 crew members aboard Odyssey of the Seas were vaccinated on June 4 and will be considered fully vaccinated on June 18.
Positive cases were identified after the vaccine was administered and before they were fully effective, ”Bayley said.
The company delayed the inaugural sailing of the Odyssey from July 3 to July 31.
It was planned to set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and make several stops in the Caribbean.
A simulation cruise originally scheduled for late June will also be rescheduled.
"While disappointing, this is the right decision for the health and well-being of our crew and guests," said Bayley.
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Six of the eight crew members who tested positive did not show any symptoms, while two had mild symptoms.
All eight were quarantined and are being closely monitored by the company's medical team, Bayley said.
"To protect the rest of the crew and prevent further cases, we will quarantine the entire crew for 14 days and continue our routine tests," added Bayley.
So-called "breakthrough" coronavirus cases are expected, in which people become infected after vaccination.
The cases result in milder Covid-19 disease than in unvaccinated people, a CDC study published this month shows.
Fully vaccinated people are more than 90% protected against infection, and partially vaccinated people are 81% less likely to be infected than those who have not been vaccinated, according to the ongoing study of essential workers who received the vaccine from Pfizer / BioNTech or Moderna.
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Royal Caribbean's vaccination policy requires that all passengers 16 years of age or older leaving US ports be fully vaccinated, except for ships departing from Florida.
Beginning August 1, all guests 12 years and older must be fully vaccinated.
Younger travelers who are not yet eligible for the vaccine can navigate with a negative test result and must follow certain protocols, the company said.
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