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Cruise News: Latest Covid-19 Regulations From The UK Cruise Industry

Booking cruises for your clients? Travelling as we know it has changed since the pandemic but with borders re-opening and new regulations in place, we can all go back to safely cruising the world and visiting far off places on our favourite cruise ships.
 
Before making their bookings, your clients will most likely have some questions regarding onboard safety protocols on Covid-19. 


Do remind your clients that according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the cruise industry has one of the safest and most effective Covid-19 protocols in place.

Cruise ships are equipped with medical, isolation and quarantine facilities on-site, state-of-the-art air filtration systems and extensive response plans using only private shoreside resources, and an environment where almost every single person is fully vaccinated. (Source)
 
As a result, cases of COVID-19 are very low with the vast majority mild or asymptomatic – making cruise unequalled in its multi-layered approach to effectively mitigating COVID-19.
 

To help you get your guests ready for their upcoming cruise, we’ve compiled Covid-19 Guest Protocols on all major cruise ships. Let’s take a look.

Royal Caribbean

Measures include:

  • Guests age 12 and older must present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing.
  • Kids aged 5 to 11 who have been vaccinated may present proof of full vaccination and follow the protocols for vaccinated guests.
  • Masks are required for all children while at the Adventure Ocean youth program.
  • Guests under 2 do not have to wear a mask at any time. 
  • Guests departing from Europe in 2022 will be advised of specific requirements via email before setting sail.
  • Crew members on all Royal Caribbean ships and at private destinations to be fully vaccinated.
  • Crew members receive a booster dose as they become eligible and complete COVID-19 testing regularly in accordance with CDC guidelines.
  • Air filters: On Royal Caribbean ships, 100% fresh ocean air is continuously supplied from outside + the use of a high-grade MERV 13 filter that captures aerosols 1 to 3 microns in size with 90% efficacy.

P&O Cruises

Measures include:

  • All adult guests and crew vaccinated and tested
  • All crew undergo a strict quarantine period as well as regular testing during their time on board
  • Health screening including free testing at the terminal for all guests
  • Fewer guests on board
  • Enhanced on-board ventilation systems to improve and increase filtration and fresh air
  • Even higher levels of cleanliness, enhanced sanitation, social distancing (in line with latest guidance for cruise lines) and face masks in specific areas
  • Plans in place to manage guests’ medical needs, including dedicated cabin capacity for isolation and quarantine (should this be required)

Princess Cruises

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Vaccinations

    • Guests must have received their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before the beginning of the cruise and provide acceptable proof at terminal check-in.
    • Boosters are highly recommended for those eligible at least 7 days before.

Testing

Masks

    • Guests will be required to wear a face mask indoors at all times and outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Cunard

Measures include:

  • All adult guests and crew vaccinated and tested
  • All crew undergo a strict quarantine period as well as regular testing during their time on board
  • Health screening including free testing at the terminal for all guests
  • Fewer guests on board
  • Enhanced on-board ventilation systems to improve and increase filtration and fresh air
  • Even higher levels of cleanliness, enhanced sanitation, social distancing (in line with latest guidance for cruise lines) and face masks in specific areas
  • Plans in place to manage guests’ medical needs, including dedicated cabin capacity for isolation and quarantine (should this be required)

Seabourn

Measures include:

  • COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements*
  • COVID-19 Testing Requirements
  • Mandatory enhanced pre-embarkation health screenings, and completion of required documentation – including health questionnaires, Passage Contract, and COVID-19 Risk Acceptance – to be completed no later than 72 to 24 hours prior to sailing. Guest who do not complete the required documentation will not be permitted to board.
  • Anyone with signs and symptoms of COVID-19, or who are identified at-risk will undergo additional medical screening before coming onboard.

Holland America Line

Measures include:

  • Negative COVID-19 Test: All fully vaccinated guests will be required to produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) result taken within 2 days of their embarkation.
  •  Proof of Vaccination: Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and the dates given will be required and will need to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding.
  • Mask Policy: All guests ages are required to wear masks covering their nose and mouth at all times when indoors and outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
  • All staterooms and public areas are frequently and thoroughly sanitized with medical-grade disinfectant proven to kill coronaviruses.
  • Enhanced Air Filtration using a combination of increased circulation of fresh air together with upgraded air filtration.
  •  24/7 Medical Care: Every ship has a team of experienced doctors and nurses trained to manage a broad range of medical conditions, including COVID-19.

Carnival Cruises

Measures include:

  • Vaccinations & Testing: All Guests aged 12 years and older are required to be fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19.
  • Children under five are not required to apply for a vaccine exemption effective with sailings as of March 1.
  • Guests ages 2 and older must present a negative PCR COVID-19 test, taken within 72 and 24 hours prior to the sailing date at check-in.
  • Unvaccinated guests cannot go ashore in the ports of call on their own. Guests may only debark in the ports of call if booked on a Carnival-sponsored bubble tour. Carnival-approved bubble tours are excursions that operate in a controlled environment.
  • Effective with sailings departing March 1, masks are recommended on board but not required. However, masks may be required in certain venues and events.
  •  Crew is fully vaccinated, receives boosters when eligible and wears masks indoors at all times.

MSC Cruises

Measures include:

  • All Guests aged 12 years and older are required to be fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 and all Guests aged 2 and older are required to submit a negative test prior to boarding.

  • Health and COVID 19 screenings for all guests including a health questionnaire and a contactless temperature check.

  • Face masks required when in public areas indoors, except when seated in restaurants, bars and lounges.

  • New cleaning methods including the use of hospital-grade disinfectants, electrostatic sprayers, increased cleaning frequency and a focus on high-traffic, frequently-touched areas.

  •  100% fresh, external air supplied to all cabins and public spaces.

  • All Crew members are required to be fully vaccinated and regularly tested.

Disney Cruise Line

Measures include:

  • All Guests aged 5 years and older are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

  • Guests who are not vaccine-eligible because of age must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (paid for by the Guest) taken between 3 days and 24 hours before their sail date.

  • Guests ages 4 and under must complete the testing requirements.Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.

  • If Guests have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 within 11 to 90 days of their sail date, they may qualify to be considered as “90-Day-Recovered.”

  • All Guests (ages 2 and up, including those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19) are required to wear face coverings indoors, except when in their staterooms or actively eating or drinking.

  • All Crew Members will be screened for symptoms of illness before every shift.

Virgin Voyages

Measures include:

  • All cruisers must be at least 18 years old and fully vaccinated with a WHO or FDA approved vaccine against COVID-19.

  • All guests must use the Sailor App to complete the health-check form at least 24 hours before embarkation.

  • Cruisers will be required to take an antigen test before boarding.
  • Guests must wear masks onboard except while eating or drinking but only until February 27th.
  •  All guests and crew must be fully vaccinated.

Celestyal Cruises

Measures include:

  • All guests aged 12 and older must present a proof of vaccination with Greek government-approved COVID-19 vaccine.

  • The ship’s crew are all fully vaccinated.

  • For children 6 to 11 years of age at time of embarkation (unless vaccinated), a negative Antigen rapid test certificate must be provided for a test taken within 48 hours prior to embarkation.
  • Guests are required to wear a mask in all indoor areas unless seated for meals or drinks. Masks are not required in outdoor space.
  • All guests are required to undertake a complimentary Rapid Antigen Test during the embarkation process.
  • COVID-19 medical, cancellation and travel insurance is strongly recommended.

You can also read more on Covid-19 cruise ship travel on the Gov.UK website.

 

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