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Don’t Travel On Cruise Ships Due To Coronavirus Risk, State Department Urges

WLRN 91.3 FM | By David Schutz / Sun Sentinel

Published March 9, 2020 at 6:07 AM EDT

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Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale is home to some of the largest cruise ships in the world. The U.S. State Department advised citizens to avoid traveling by cruise ship due to the coronavirus outbreak.

U.S. citizens should avoid traveling on cruise ships because of the risks of coronavirus, the State Department said in an advisory Sunday.

The extraordinary statement came on the day a cruise ship due to dock at Port Everglades after a Caribbean tour was held off Fort Lauderdale beach for hours while two crew members were tested for the rapidly spreading virus.

“U.S. citizens, particularly travelers with underlying health conditions, should not travel by cruise ship,” the State Department advisory said. “CDC notes increased risk of infection of COVID-19 in a cruise ship environment.”