Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line — both of which sail to Bermuda — are among the major cruise lines that recently announced changes to their Covid policies, with both set to allow unvaccinated guests and reducing their testing requirements, noting that their policies are subject to local destination regulations.
Norwegian Cruise Line
A statement from the company said, “Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. announced revisions to its SailSAFE health and safety protocols which further align the Company to the broader travel, leisure and hospitality industry worldwide.
“Vaccinated guests aged 12 and over will no longer have any pre-cruise COVID-19 related protocols and unvaccinated guests may embark with a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, subject to local regulations. This policy will go into effect across Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises for all sailings that commence on or after September 3, 2022.
“Requirements may differ for guests traveling on voyages departing from or visiting destinations with specific local regulations, including but not limited to Canada, Greece and Bermuda. The Company continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel.”
Carnival Cruise Line
A statement from the company said, “Carnival Cruise Line announced protocol updates that meet public health goals but recognize the evolving nature of COVID-19.
“With these changes, America’s Cruise Line is making it easier for more guests to sail with simplified vaccination and testing guidelines, including no testing for vaccinated guests on sailings less than 16 nights, and eliminating the exemption request process for unvaccinated guests, who will only need to show a negative test result at embarkation.
“All new guidelines are effective for cruises departing on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022 or later, and include:
- Vaccinated guests must continue to provide evidence of their vaccination status prior to embarkation. Pre-cruise testing is no longer required, except for cruises to Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia (per local guidelines), and on voyages 16 nights or longer.
- Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail and are no longer required to apply for a vaccine exemption, except for cruises in Australia or on voyages 16 nights and longer.
- Unvaccinated guests or those who do not provide proof of vaccination must present the results of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within three days of embarkation.
- All policies are subject to local destination regulations.
Bermuda Also Amends Policies
Minister of Health Kim Wilson announced yesterday that amendments will go into effect on August 22, 2022, which “will allow unvaccinated travelers to come to Bermuda.”
The Minister said, “Unvaccinated cruise passengers require a Covid test no more than two days before departing the port. Depending on the time it takes to travel to Bermuda, they may need to test again before disembarking in Bermuda. This is familiar territory for the cruise lines as Bermuda already requires additional testing for vaccinated travellers when the journey to Bermuda is longer than four days.”
