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As cruisers are looking at booking vacations for 2022, a big question looms, in that will passengers still be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19?

According to a report by Fran Golden on Cruise Critic, the question has implications not only for those unvaccinated but for vaccinated travellers, who prefer to travel and be on ships with other people who are primarily vaccinated, with Cruise Critic surveys having repeatedly found that the vast majority of cruisers have embraced vaccine mandates.

The report says that looking at 2022, it’s likely that cruise lines will continue to require crew to be vaccinated, with for passengers, hints of what 2022 may look like are coming from one river cruise lines, Avalon Waterways and and also Crystal, which is the first ocean line to require vaccines into 2022 for all of their ships, river, ocean and expedition.

Globus announced in August that its river cruise brand Avalon Waterways – along with sister tour brands Globus, Cosmos and Monograms – would require all travellers to be fully vaccinated through the end of 2022, with Scott Nisbet, CEO of the Globus family of brands saying, “We remain committed to ensuring our travellers – and the destinations we visit – a safe, sustainable and responsible return to travel”.

Crystal said in September it was extending its vaccination requirements for all of its catalogue of cruises through 2022, for both guests and crew, with everyone onboard required to be fully inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to their embarkation date, and must provide proof of vaccination before boarding the ship.

Walter Littlejohn, Crystal River Cruises’ senior vice president and managing director said. “The health and safety of our guests and crew is paramount to everything we do at Crystal River Cruises, and as such, we will require full vaccination through 2022 so that our guests can continue to explore the world in great comfort and safety,” adding, “Extending the vaccination requirement provides our guests with the health and safety information and assurances they need to plan future travels.”

The report says that beyond Crystal, no other mainstream cruise lines and ocean ships have not yet indicated vaccine plans even for later this year, though in not saying, such requirements may be implied.

Norwegian Cruise Line said in August that all guests must be vaccinated through December 31, 2021 and Cunard has announced guest vaccines will be required through 2021, for those age 18 and up.

Cruise Critic says it will update 2022 vaccination requirements for ocean and river ships as they become available.

A report from Cruise Critic by John Alwyn-Jones, Cruise Editor.