Updated September 30, 2021
Thomas A. Russo, MD, SUNY Distinguished Professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, said that cruise passengers should carefully consider traveling on ships that allow unvaccinated guests on board. “The reality is that someone on the boat is likely to be infected with COVID-19, either because they were unvaccinated or are asymptomatic with a breakthrough infection,” said Russo, who pointed out that cruise ships often have indoor dining and entertainment, areas that are ripe for viruses to spread. “S]omeone could contaminate the food buffet and it can spread rapidly … it's all because of people staying and moving around in close quarters.