The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning people not to go on cruises, regardless of their vaccination status, because of onboard outbreaks fueled by the omicron variant.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its travel health notice regarding COVID-19 and cruise ships Thursday, upping the threat of contracting or spreading the virus on cruise ships to its highest level.

The first cruise ship to board passengers at a U.S. port in 15 months is set to sail Saturday from the industry’s South Florida hub.

The Carnival Pride cruise ship arrives at PortMiami, Tuesday, April 7, 2020, in Miami. Cruise Lines International Association said its members will use the rest of the year to implement measures to address COVID-19 safety. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)An industry group representing cruise lines wants the White House to allow cruises to hit the high seas this summer. The Cruise Lines International Association plans to ask the Biden administration to lift the no-sail order for cruise ships. AdNow they are hoping the CDC lifts the order in early July.

– The cruise industry has jettisoned hopes of restarting operations this year. Cruise Lines International Association — which includes cruise giants Princess, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean — said that its members have voluntarily opted to maintain the current suspension of cruise operations in the U.S. through the end of the year. On Friday, federal health officials issued new rules that will enable large cruise ships to start sailing again in U.S. waters, though not immediately. In mid-March, the CDC ordered cruise ships to stop sailing to U.S. ports after several outbreaks convinced officials that the vessels were potential cauldrons of infection. The cruise association estimates that the suspension of cruises snuffed out more than $25 billion in economic activity, and 164,000 American jobs.

Major cruise lines say they will test all passengers and crew for COVID-19 prior to boarding as part of their plan for resuming sailing in the Americas. The association’s safety plan will now go to the CDC, which will consider it as the agency decides whether to lift the no-sail order. The safety plan requires testing of passengers and crew, but doesn’t specify the types of coronavirus tests that companies must use, CLIA Chairman Adam Goldstein said. The plan permits limited shore excursions and requires passengers to wear masks and stay apart from other people during those excursions. The plan also requires ships to increase the amount of fresh air in their ventilation systems and use advanced filtration methods where feasible.

American cruise lines will suspend ocean cruises until at least the end of October as coronavirus cases continue to pop up in the industry. A Norwegian cruise ship line halted all trips and apologized Monday for procedural errors after a coronavirus outbreak on one ship infected at least five passengers and 36 crew. On Wednesday, the Cruise Lines International Association, which represents cruise lines around the world, announced cruise lines that operate in the U.S. would suspend ocean cruises until at least Oct. 31. CLIA cruise line members will continue to monitor the situation with the understanding that we will revisit a possible further extension on or before 30 September 2020. More than 710 people fell ill aboard Carnival's Diamond Princess cruise ship while it was quarantined off Japan and 13 people died.

Cruise Lines International Association, which includes most ocean, river and specialty cruise lines, issued a statement Wednesday to announce that the associations ocean-going cruise line members will voluntarily extend the suspension of cruise operations from U.S. ports due to the coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a no-sail order that expires July 24 but cruise lines will voluntarily extend suspensions, according to CLIA. Previously, come cruise lines had said they would resume sailing in August. Due to the ongoing situation within the U.S. related to COVID-19, CLIA member cruise lines have decided to voluntarily extend the period of suspended passenger operations. CLIA member cruise lines will continually evaluate the evolving situation and make a determination as to whether a further extension is necessary, according to CLIA.

The cruise industry hopes to set sail later this summer.