The good news is that most cruise lines are sailing again and there’s growing optimism that the days of carefree cruising are returning. But there are some big caveats.
Virtually all the lines are requiring guests 18 and over to be fully vaccinated and even then, most also require proof of a negative COVID test to board.
Stories hitting the news about clusters of cases on a couple of ships that got them turned away from ports have gotten a lot of attention recently But in reality, there are now over 100 cruise ships doing regular weekly trips that have remained COVID-free, so the rules work.
But that’s also the result of increased vigilance and distancing and, on many ships, mask requirements that makes cruising a little carefree than it was before the industry shut down in 2020.
Here’s a look at what to expect in the current new normal:
AmaWaterways will only be welcoming fully vaccinated guests. Mixed dosages of the four major vaccines are acceptable. “As entry requirements can change rapidly, you may also wish to take a PCR test within 72 hours of your departing flight to Europe to avoid any unnecessary travel interruptions and for added peace of mind,” the company notes on its website.
American Queen Steamboat Company guests and crew must be fully vaccinated. Before boarding, guests must check in to a pre-cruise hotel and get tested for COVID-19. Masks are required for embarkation but not on the ships.
Atlas Ocean Cruises is the newest cruise line with its first ship World Navigator cruising in Greece. Currently it does not require guests to be vaccinated.
Aurora Expeditions ship Greg Mortimer is back in service and its exploration fleet is expanding to visit Antarctica, the Canadian Artic and Alaska as well as the Russian Far East coast and Costa Rica. Guests are required to bring a printed copy of their proof of vaccination documentation to board. Acceptable vaccines are those approved by the U.S. CDC and U.K. and European Authorities, currently limited to Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and AstraZeneca.
Avalon Waterways in addition to other brands in the Globus family–Globus, Cosmos and Monograms–has expanded its pre-trip health protocols to include including requiring proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to join any vacation in its portfolio, for travel through March, 2022.
Azamara Cruises kicks off its life as an independent cruise line with Azamara Quest sailings from Greece beginning Aug. 28. Full vaccination is required for all passengers.
Carnival Cruise Line will have 14 ships sailing from U.S. ports by the end of October. Vaccination is required for adults, although children under 12 who aren’t eligible for shots can sail with negative COVID test. Masks are required in all public areas, except when eating and drinking.
Celebrity Cruises has six big ships and two expedition ships in service, with a third coming in September. Vaccination is required for adults and those under 18 must produce proof of a negative COVID test.
Celestyal Cruises which did not require vaccination started Greek Islands cruises on two ships from Piraeus, Greece, but has stopped sailing until March 22 due to low demand.
Crystal Cruises is sailing Bahamas-only itineraries on Crystal Serenity and Bermuda cruises from Boston and New York. Full vaccination is required for all guests.
Disney Cruise Line is sailing 3- and 4-day Castaway Cay cruises on Disney Dream from Port Canaveral. Vaccinated guests are exempt from pre-trip and embarkation day testing requirements and travel insurance requirements.
Emerald Cruises as a member of the Scenic Group requires all guests to be fully vaccinated with approved vaccines at least 14 days prior to embarking.
Holland America Line is slowly returning to service with Alaska and Greek Isles cruises in the summer to be followed by cruises from California and Florida in the fall. Vaccination and masks in public areas are required for all guests.
Hurtigruten does not require vaccination, but port authorities might, so requirements vary by itinerary. Social distancing, face covering, and handwashing policies are in place for most cruises.
Lindblad Expeditions is operating four ships. Vaccination is required for adults and children under 16 must have proof of a negative COVID test before boarding.
MSC Cruises is celebrating a full year of cruising in the covid era. “The company has cruised with tens of thousands of guests for safe and enjoyable cruises, all thanks to the company’s industry-leading health and safety protocol,” the company boasts. It now has 10 ships–more than half the fleet–in operation. Unvaccinated guests are permitted, but they must buy the line’s travel insurance and Covid-19 protection services. They are also subject to additional restrictions, such as Covid testing during the cruise.
Norwegian Cruise Line will be sailing eight ships in Europe as well as from U.S. ports by November. Vaccination is required for all crew and passengers through at least the end of 2021. “Guests who are not old enough to be vaccinated will not be allowed on these (U.S.) sailings. However, we eagerly await an expansion of the age criteria for vaccinations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration so we can once again welcome these guests back on board,” the company says.
Oceania Cruises starts sailing in Europe on Marina Aug. 29. Other ships will come on line between October, 2021 and April 2022. Full vaccinations are required for all guests.
Princess Cruises has started Alaska cruises from Seattle. Most other Princess ships will come back into service in November. Vaccinations and masks in public areas required for all guests.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises will resume sailing from Southampton in September. Other ships will come on line between October, 2021 and February of 2022. Vaccination required for all passengers.
Royal Caribbean International will have all but four of its ships operating by the end of 2021. The vaccination requirements vary depending on the port of embarkation.
Scenic Cruises along with other members of the Scenic Group requires all guests to be fully vaccinated with approved vaccines at least 14 days prior to embarking.
Seabourn Cruises is doing Caribbean cruises from Barbados and Greece and Cyprus cruises from Athens. Seabourn Quest departs Miami on Nov. 7 for a 43-day cruise that includes Antarctica. Seabourn Sojourn sails from Los Angeles for a world cruise on Jan. 11. Seabourn Encore will not return to service until April, 2022. Vaccination is required for all guests.
Silversea Cruises will have its entire fleet sailing by the end of 2021. Vaccination is required for all guests.
Viking Ocean Cruises has five ships in service, including cruises home porting from Iceland and Malta. All passengers must be vaccinated.
Virgin Voyages requires all guests to have full vaccination–no exceptions.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises requires guests to show documented proof of an approved COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Johnson & Johnson), with the final dose administered no less than two weeks prior to the start of their cruise/tour.
Windstar Cruises has four ships sailing, including Wind Spirit in Tahiti. Vaccination is required for all guests.
Many countries, including several Caribbean islands are requiring proof of vaccination for entry as well.
Puerto Rico and the Turks and Caicos Islands are requiring full vaccination for all visitors. In addition, the Turks and Caicos require roof of a negative Covid-19 test three days prior to arrival and medical insurance that covers.
Dominica is requiring prepayment of $100 for an antigen test upon arrival for all visitors. Visitors who are unvaccinated are subject to a five-day quarantine, with testing on day five.
St. Maarten requires proof of a negative PCR or antigen test three days prior to arrival. French St. Martin has a curfew in place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has added Haiti and Aruba to the its highest risk category that currently also includes Martinique, Guadeloupe as well as France, French Polynesia and Israel. Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica are at Level 3, an advisory that tourists should reconsider travel.
“International travel poses additional risks, and even fully vaccinated travelers might be at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading some Covid-19 variants,” the CDC warns.
Increasingly it also looks as though a form of vaccination passport will be a necessity for future travel. The European Union has developed an EU COVID-19 Passport. Canada has promised some kind of document, but we don’t have any word on it or when or what it will look like.
The majority of EU countries have strict restrictions against travelers who have not been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 in order to avoid an upsurge in cases.
