Although Aussies cannot even travel [unless you are a lucky sportsperson, famous or even wealthy it appears] leave alone cruise, some of the cruise industry is seeking to resume operations around the world.
More and more lines are introducing mandates that require some or all, passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, so our friends at Cruise Critic have attempted to clarify the confusion regarding vaccination and more, as not all cruise lines have the same policies and cruise requirements vary from port to port, ship to ship, itinerary to itinerary, country to country and state to state, with sadly all of this applying to outside Australia, but perhaps it gives us an insight of how things might be when cruising starts in Australia.
Many lines, following the advice of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only allowing up to five percent of passengers to board unvaccinated; a rule that is generally designed to facilitate the travel of children under 12 years of age, rather than adults who would just rather not be vaccinated.
Keep in mind: being fully vaccinated means at least 14 days have elapsed between the final required vaccine dose and embarkation, with passengers with less than 14 days after final vaccination will be denied boarding, and proof of vaccination must be shown at embarkation.
Here is a list of all the cruise lines that require proof of vaccination before cruising — and what you need to know in order to be able to board without a hitch
[Note: These requirements differ in the United Kingdom]
OCEAN CRUISE LINES
Alaskan Dream Cruises
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers 18 years of age and over.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail?: No – no exceptions.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required?: Yes, a PCR test taken at passenger’s expense up to 96 hours prior to embarkation is required by Alaskan Dream Cruises for all passengers.
Is a Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, at cruise line’s cost.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Yes
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
Azamara
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers 18 years of age and over.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No – no exceptions.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Possibly, depending on destination. Many countries require COVID-19 negative tests as a condition of entry by air. Azamara will advise booked passengers of any pre-testing requirements.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, at cruise line’s cost.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: No requirement.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Yes.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Pre-arrival COVID-19 testing is required by the Government of the Bahamas, the only destination Bahamas Paradise visits. Tests are the responsibility of the cruiser and need to be conducted prior to setting sail, at their own expense. A travel visa application for the Bahamas also needs to be completed prior to arrival.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? No requirement.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: TBA
Crew Vaccinated?: Ongoing
Carnival Cruise Line
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers 16 years of age and over; all passengers 12 years of age or older as of August 1, 2021, for all sailings from Seattle, Long Beach, Galveston, Miami and Port Canaveral.
Florida Sailings Only: Proof of vaccination cannot be required by Florida state law. Providing proof of vaccination will likely be voluntary. Those not providing proof of vaccination will likely be subject to additional health and safety measures. Carnival has still to release specific conditions for Florida cruises.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Yes — with exceptions. Exemptions to the vaccination rule must be pre-approved by Carnival, by request, after bookings are confirmed and paid for in full. Exemptions are subject to capacity controls and may not be granted. Exemptions are not offered on embarkation day. All unvaccinated passengers will have to adhere to specific testing requirements and health protocols, communicated in advance, as a condition of travel.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? No, unless required as a condition of entry by air.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? No, unless passenger is unvaccinated or showing symptoms of possible infection. Testing is complimentary for passengers not eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 (children).
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masking and physical distancing is not required for fully vaccinated passengers. Masking and physical distancing will be required during the entire embarkation and disembarkation process, regardless of port of departure.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
Celebrity Cruises
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers 16 years of age and over; all passengers 12 years of age or older as of August 1, 2021, for all sailings outside the UK. For UK-only departures, passengers 18 years of age or older must be fully vaccinated.
Florida Sailings Only: Proof of vaccination cannot be required by Florida state law. Providing proof of vaccination will be voluntary. Those not providing proof of vaccination will be subject to additional health and safety measures, including mandatory mask usage and limits on entry into select public areas, along with required testing totalling $178 per person.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Yes — primarily unvaccinated children under the age limits specified above.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? No, unless required as a condition of entry by air.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? No, unless passengers (children) are unvaccinated. Unvaccinated children will be given a complimentary test pierside. An additional complimentary test will be provided prior to re-entry at the end of the cruise.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masking and physical distancing is not required for fully vaccinated passengers. Those who are unvaccinated will be required to wear masks and physically distance, and will be limited from certain venues and public rooms as Celebrity deems fit.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
Celestyal Cruises
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: No vaccination requirement, though vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Yes.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Yes — a negative PCR test (not antigen) must be taken at least 72 hours prior to embarkation. This is at the cost of the cruiser. A negative test is also required to enter Greece, where most Celestyal cruises operate from.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? No.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks are required for all passengers once outside their staterooms, except when actively eating and drinking. Masks are required in all tenders to shore, and on areas of the open deck where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Crew Vaccinated?: Unknown.
Crystal
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers intending to sail on Crystal’s river, ocean or expedition voyages. Any vaccinated passenger, regardless of age, will be welcomed onboard.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? No, unless required as a condition of entry by air.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, a pierside antigen test is mandatory for all passengers. This is provided complimentary by Crystal.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks are recommended but not required. Masks are required in shoreside terminals, hospitality suites, tour dispatch areas and during Crystal’s organized airport and hotel transfers as well as on shore excursions that are conducted indoors.
Crew Vaccinated?: From Crystal’s website: “Crew members will be expected to be fully inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine (both doses if recommended by manufacturer) as soon as it is an available option in their home countries. When vaccines are widely available, they will be a requirement of employment at least 14 days prior to service”
Cunard
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: For UK-based voyages sailing up to October 11, 2021, all passengers, regardless of age, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. From October 13, 202 until December 31, 2021, all passengers over the age of 18 must be fully vaccinated.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Yes – from October 13, 2021, passengers at or under the age of 17 must either be fully vaccinated or complete a negative COVID-19 PCR test prior to travel.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, for passengers at or under 17 who are unvaccinated, a negative PCR test is required at their expense.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, pierside testing is required for all passengers and will be covered by Cunard.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Mandatory wearing of face masks with no exceptions will be required at the terminal, during shore experiences and at all times when indoors on board, except when having your identity checked at the gangway or while eating and drinking, inside your stateroom, using recreational water facilities, exercising in the gym and during certain treatments or services, such as facials. Face masks do not need to be worn outdoors except when social distancing cannot be maintained.
Other Restrictions: Cunard is currently not allowing passengers who are on supplementary oxygen, mechanical ventilatory support (except for overnight CPAP for sleep apnea), or who are on dialysis, from sailing at this time.
Crew Vaccinated?: Unknown.
Disney Cruise Line
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: Disney has not released protocols for its US voyages yet, but its protocols for its UK-only sailings marketed towards UK residents call for full proof of vaccination for passengers aged 18 and older.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Yes – unvaccinated passengers under the age of 18 are allowed to sail, provided they have taken a negative PCR test at their own expense.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, for passengers 18 or under who are unvaccinated, which must be taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to embarkation.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, a pierside antigen test is required for all passengers, at Disney’s expense.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: All passengers age 11 and older are required to wear a face-covering on the ship and inside terminals. Exemptions to this rule include when passengers are in their stateroom, eating or drinking in a designated seating area or while stationary, swimming or occupying a deck chair.
Crew Vaccinated?: Unknown.
Holland America Line
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All 2021 cruises require all passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Requirements for 2022 voyages will be announced at a later date.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? No, unless required as a condition of entry via air.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? No.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Not required for fully vaccinated passengers.
Crew Vaccinated?: Ongoing on a ship-by-ship basis, with crew fully vaccinated as ships return to service.
Lindblad Expeditions
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: Passengers 16 years of age or older need to provide proof of full vaccination; this changes to age 12 and older as of August 1, 2021.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Yes – unvaccinated children under the age of 16, or under the age of 12 as of August 1, 2021.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Yes. Passengers need to take a PCR test 3 to 5 days prior to embarkation and submit their negative test results to Lindblad no later than 24 hours prior to expedition departure. This is at passenger’s expense.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, at Lindblad’s expense.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Required, without exception, for all passengers, including those who are fully vaccinated.
Crew Vaccinated?: From the Lindblad website: “Lindblad Expeditions will also require all Crew to be vaccinated, with limited exception for individual Crew members who are unable to obtain vaccines due to limitations in their country of residence.”
MSC Cruises (USA Departures Only)
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers are encouraged, but not required, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Yes — though passengers who are unvaccinated, or who are unwilling to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination — will face additional health and safety restrictions, including additional testing (at a cost to the cruiser), and the requirement to purchase MSC Cruises Travel Insurance & COVID-19 Protection Services. Fees will be waived for unvaccinated children under 12 who are currently ineligible to be vaccinated.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, for unvaccinated passengers only. A negative RT-PCR test taken no earlier than 72 hours prior to embarkation is required and is the passenger’s responsibility. Failure by unvaccinated passengers to produce this initial test will result in denial of boarding.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, a rapid antigen test will be required prior to embarkation for all vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers. This will be covered by MSC.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Required, without exception, for all passengers, including those who are fully vaccinated.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
Norwegian Cruise Line
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers, regardless of age, embarking on sailings up to and including October 31, 2021, must be fully vaccinated prior to sailing.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No, until at least November 1, 2021.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? No, unless required as a condition of entry into a country of embarkation for passengers arriving by air.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, all passengers will be required to take an antigen test at Norwegian’s expense.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: None.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes.
Oceania
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 required for all passengers.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Possibly, if required for passengers arriving via air into the country of embarkation. This would be at the passenger’s expense.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? TBA.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: None
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
Paul Gauguin
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers over the age of 16 will be required to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. Passengers must also complete and submit an electronic form from the French Polynesian government and bring the associated printout to the pier.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Yes – children under 18 can travel with a parent or guardian in Tahiti but are subject to additional health and testing requirements.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, at least three days prior to embarkation. An additional antigen test is required at Papeete airport.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? No.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Yes. Masks are required when outside passenger cabins, and physical distancing is to be maintained onboard.
Crew Vaccinated:? Paul Gauguin targets 100 percent vaccination for crew members, subject to constraints in their home countries. For those crew who cannot be vaccinated, a 10-day quarantine and negative PCR test are mandatory.
Ponant
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: No requirement. Vaccinations are “recommended.”
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Yes, subject to standard pre-cruise testing requirements.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, no later than three days prior to embarkation.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, at Ponant’s expense.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Yes — masks are to be worn when outside passenger cabins, and physical distancing is required.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
Princess Cruises
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers, regardless of age.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Yes, but only under specific conditions and only on a case-by-case basis. Additional testing will be required, along with other health and safety protocols.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Only when required as a condition of entry by air into a country of embarkation.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, at Princess Cruises’ expense.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Both will be in terminals, and in other situations where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Masks are recommended onboard when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Crew Vaccinated?: Ongoing. From Princess: “Although some of our crew will be vaccinated, all crew will undergo a strict testing and quarantine regime as well as regular testing during their time on board. Our protocols are subject to change, as we will continue to work with our experts and with government bodies to ensure all of our practices evolve in line with latest advice, with our primary focus always being to protect the health and wellbeing of our crew and guests and the communities we visit.”
Regent Seven Seas
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to sail with Regent Seven Seas.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Only when required for entry by air into a country for foreign citizens.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Sometimes, depending on departure port. Regent will communicate all requirements to passengers in advance of sailing. Tests pierside are at Regent’s expense.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: No, as voyages will be operated with fully vaccinated passengers and crew only.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes.
Royal Caribbean
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers over the age of 16, changing to all passengers over the age of 12 as of August 1, 2021, must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all sailings excluding departures from Florida.
Florida Sailings Only: Royal Caribbean strongly recommends passengers voluntarily disclose proof of vaccination at check-in. In accordance with Florida state law, providing proof of vaccination will be voluntary.
However, passengers who elect to not provide proof of vaccination will be considered “unvaccinated” and will be subject to additional health and safety measures, at least for July sailings aboard Freedom of the Seas. These include mandatory mask usage, restrictions on access to public areas throughout the vessel, and additional COVID-19 testing that will be billed at $136 per person to passengers’ SeaPass accounts.
Mandatory COVID-19 Insurance?: Yes, for non-vaccinated passengers sailing on departures out of Florida only.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Yes, though with conditions. Children under the age of 12 (as of August 1) will not be charged for mandatory COVID-19 testing.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? No, unless required as a condition of entry by air.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? No, unless passengers are unvaccinated. Unvaccinated children will be given a complimentary test pierside. Passengers over the age of 16, or 12 come August 1, will be billed for these tests.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks and physical distancing are not required for fully vaccinated passengers. Unvaccinated passengers must wear masks and physically distance when outside their staterooms and not eating or drinking. SeaPass cards will be required to enter all public areas of the ship.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes.
Seabourn
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers are required to be fully vaccinated for Seabourn voyages departing from Greece. Protocols for other sailings have yet to be established.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Only as required for travellers arriving into the country of embarkation by air.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Yes. A complimentary antigen test is required pierside and will be covered by Seabourn.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks are required in select locations onboard and ashore; passengers are encouraged to physically distance from other people not in their travelling party.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes, and vaccinations ongoing.
Silversea
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers sailing with Silversea need to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? As required for passengers entering countries of embarkation by air.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Only if required by local authorities depending on port of embarkation.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: TBA.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
UnCruise Adventures
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers 18 years of age and older need to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Yes – children under 18 are allowed onboard. Non-vaccinated adults are not permitted.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Yes — a negative, molecular (not antigen) test is required no earlier than 4 days prior to embarkation, at the passenger’s expense. This is required for all passengers, regardless of vaccination status.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? No.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Unvaccinated children under 18 years of age must wear a mask on the vessel when outside their cabin, unless they are eating or drinking. Vaccinated passengers do not need to wear masks onboard, or in the wilderness. All passengers will need to wear masks while in port.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
Victory Cruise Lines
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? No, unless otherwise noted.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, to be covered by Victory.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks will be required in all venues and in situations where physical distancing is not possible, including entertainment venues, elevators, shoreside terminals and shore excursion motorcoaches.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
Viking Cruises
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: Viking’s current ocean and river cruise offerings are, for now, strictly for fully vaccinated passengers only.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Only as needed for passengers arriving into foreign ports of embarkation by air.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, to be conducted and covered by Viking.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Face masks may be required for all guests and crew while moving about Viking ships, depending on conditions at time of sailing. Face masks may be required for guests when seated in dining venues, bars and lounges and not actively eating or drinking.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
Virgin Voyages
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers are required to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination at this time.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Possibly, but not guaranteed.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? No.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? TBD.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: TBD.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
Windstar Cruises
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers sailing aboard Windstar’s ships will need to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 in order to set sail.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No. No exceptions will be made to the vaccination policy.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? No.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Yes — Windstar will provide embarking passengers with a free antigen test prior to boarding. Results must be negative to embark.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks need to be worn indoors in public spaces onboard the ship except when eating and drinking. Masks can also be removed for spa treatments and when using steam or sauna rooms, or cardio equipment in the gym.
Crew Vaccinated?: Ongoing
RIVER CRUISE LINES
AmaWaterways
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: No policy. AmaWaterways “encourages all our guests to be fully vaccinated 14 days prior to their departure date and to ensure they have adequate medical and travel insurance related to COVID.”
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Yes.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Possibly required as a condition of entry by air into countries of departure.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? TBD.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: TBD.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
American Queen Steamboat Company
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers, no exceptions, need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for all sailings departing on or after July 1, 2021.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? All passengers will undergo a complimentary COVID-19 test during the pre-cruise hotel stay prior to embarkation.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? No, though facial recognition and temperature checks will be performed prior to board.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks will be required in all entertainment venues, elevators, shoreside terminals and shore excursion motorcoaches, or when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes — American Queen is even vaccinating its shoreside employees.
Avalon Waterways
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 is required for all passengers.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? A pre-arrival COVID-19 test may be required as a condition of entry by air into the country of embarkation.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? No, though a temperature check will be performed.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks must be worn when physical distancing isn’t possible. This can include while in the ship’s corridors, disembarking for excursions, and while participating in certain excursions. Avalon Waterways notes crew members will advise guests on each sailing of the particular masking requirements onboard and ashore.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
Crystal River Cruises
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers on Crystal’s river, ocean or expedition voyages will need to be fully vaccinated in order to board.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? No, unless required as a condition of entry by air.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? A pierside antigen test is mandatory for all passengers, compliments of Crystal River Cruises.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Recommended but not required, except in shoreside terminals, hospitality suites, tour dispatch areas and during Crystal’s organized airport and hotel transfers as well as on shore excursions that are conducted indoors, or as local guidelines dictate.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
Emerald Waterways
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers sailing aboard Emerald Waterways need to have received full vaccination against COVID-19.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? A pre-arrival COVID-19 test may be required for passengers arriving by air into their country of embarkation.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? No.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Not noted.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
Grand Circle
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers are required to present proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Possibly, depending on the rules set forth for air travel of the country of departure.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Not noted.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: TBD. Grand Circle expects passengers to follow ” best health and hygiene practices to prevent the spread of illness.”
Crew Vaccinated?: Unknown
Scenic
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to setting sail.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? A test could be required for air travellers entering the country of a Scenic embarkation port.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Not noted.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Not noted.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
Viking River
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers sailing on Viking’s river journeys need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? No.
Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? A test could be required for air travellers flying into their embarkation port’s home country.
Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Yes, for some itineraries.
Masking and Physical Distancing Requirements: Face masks may be required for guests when seated in dining venues, bars and lounges, and could be required for all passengers when onboard regardless of vaccination status. Crew onboard the riverboat will advise passengers of the exact regulations in place on that particular date.
Crew Vaccinated?: Yes
A report from Cruise Critic edited by John Alwyn-Jones, Crusie Editor, Global Travel Media.
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