ACL Cuts Sailing Short, Cancels Next Itinerary After COVID-19 Positive Tests Onboard

American Cruise Lines has cut short a sailing on American Constellation and cancelled its next scheduled cruise after three passengers tested positive for COVID-19.

American Constellation was in the midst of a 10-night cruise from Juneau, Alaska on July 4 when two passengers and one crewmember tested positive for COVID-19 this past weekend. The three got off the ship in Petersburg where they are now isolating.

The passengers were reportedly fully vaccinated while the crew member wasn’t. American Cruise Lines said it cut the sailing short and canceled the next one only out of an abundance of caution. It will now resume its Alaska season in late July and continue through early September.

In a statement to Travel Market Report, American Cruise Line said that its reaction followed its COVID-19 Response Plan that it had built prior to restarting.

“American Cruise Lines has implemented its COVID-19 Response Plan in Alaska and is coordinating with state and local health officials following the detection of COVID-19 on board. Three people have tested positive, two of whom are fully vaccinated. Out of an abundance of caution, the Line’s small ship will return to port in Juneau and the next cruise, scheduled to depart on July 14^th, will be canceled.

“American resumed domestic small ship cruise operations in March and since then has carried over 10,000 passengers aboard 130 U.S. cruises without incident. American operates in 31 states and has worked with each of them to safely resume operating. State and local officials in Alaska have been engaged, and have been working together with American Cruise Lines to ensure a swift and effective implementation of the Response Plan,” the statement said.

ACL strongly recommends COVID-19 for all eligible guests and says that they may become required “in specific instances when necessitated by the ports or states visited, and all guest will be asked to certify their vaccination status.” Unvaccinated guests on ACL sailings are also subject to additional testing and quarantine requirements.