Is It Safe To Go On A Cruise Right Now
If you have a Baltic or Balkan cruise booked this year, then you may find that the itinerary has been altered, or that your trip has been cancelled altogether due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“We are currently working to confirm replacement ports and will advise all impacted guests and travel advisors as soon as possible,” a company spokesperson from Norwegian Cruise Line said in a statement.
Many of the cruise companys liners usually stop in the Russian city port of St Petersburg in the summer months, but are not willing to do so given the current circumstances.
Is It Safe To Go On A Cruise Now
CanvaLottie LimbNichola Daunton
The US public health agency lowered its pandemic travel warning for cruise ships last week, from very high to high.
Its the first sign of easing since December, when the CDC advised people to avoid the liners completely because of an increased risk from COVID-19 as the Omicron variant spread rapidly.
The floating towns were like petri dishes when the virus first struck. An outbreak on the Diamond Princess infected more than 700 people and killed 14. The ship was quarantined outside Japan for 27 days, making it one of the early pandemic horror stories.
Two years on, our progress against the virus has made cruise ships far more Covid-secure.
The safety of our guests, crew members and communities is Princess Cruises top priority, says Tony Roberts, vice president of Princess Cruises UK and Europe, which is owned by cruise giant Carnival Corporation.
Cruises are one of the safest types of holiday, and the cruise industry is the only industry in the travel and tourism sector that is requiring both vaccinations and testing for crew and guests, he claims.
What This Means For You
If youre considering booking a cruise this holiday season, assess your risk level based on your health status. If you do decide to set sail on a ship, take precautions before and during your trip to avoid getting sick. In the occasion of an outbreak on board, listen closely to instructions. If you feel sick, be sure to report your illness to the crew.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.
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Cruise Ships That Have Operated
over the last 2 years:
- APT operating Caledonian Sky
Scheduled to return to Australia:
- Ponant, Kimberley season kicks off April 22
- P& O Australia May 22
- Princess Cruises Coral Princess, June 2022
- Silversea, Kimberley Season June 22
- Royal Caribbean Oct 22
- Carnival Cruise Line Oct 22
- Celebrity Cruises Oct 22
- Norwegian Cruise Line Dec 22
- Oceania Cruises Dec 22
- Silversea, Whisper and Muse from Dec 22
- Regent Seven Seas Dec 22
Scheduled to return Internationally:
Seadream Ii Offers Casual Luxury Experience
Working from home, I’ve had no reason to dress up — or even change out of my pajamas, if I’m being honest. So, I wasn’t sure I was ready for a luxury cruise experience that meant dressing for dinner — something I typically love about cruising.
Yet SeaDream II is more like yachting than cruising, a concept the company leans into heavily, so the approach to luxury is casual. For dinner, I’ve loved seeing the sundresses and chic outfits the women are wearing for men, there isn’t a tie in sight.
Even though the ship is small, the spa and fitness center are excellent, and I booked a Thai massage that honestly was one of the best massages I’ve ever had. This was a true indulgence, combining some Western techniques with traditional Thai practices that involve stretching and pulling. I came away feeling like a pliable puddle, months of tension erased by a tiny massage therapist with the hand strength of Superman.
The best part is, the ship and approach to the yachty experience means we spend time outdoors as much as possible. Even with cooler temperatures, it’s still been a treat to enjoy some sunshine and remember why cruising to warmer climates is such a joy, especially this time of year. With spring break on the horizon, a Caribbean or Bahamas cruise on a luxury ship offers the perfect indulgence.
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Have The Vaccination Rules Relaxed
Many cruise lines have relaxed or dropped the requirement for passengers to be vaccinated in order to sail.
CarnivalCruiseLine and various of its brands Princess Cruises*, P& O Cruises*, Holland America Line* and Seabourn* have scrapped the need for passengers to be fully vaccinated. On cruises up to 15 nights, vaccinated passengers wont need a test, although unvaccinated passengers will still need a negative test result before boarding. Royal Caribbean* and sister line Celebrity Cruises* have implemented the same changes Norwegian Cruise Line*, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises* have also scrapped mandatory vaccinations on most voyages.
As usual, there are exceptions, some dictated by countries to which cruise ships sail. Canada, Australia, Bermuda and Greece still require passengers to be vaccinated. Long ocean crossings, Panama Canal crossings and some expedition cruises also still require vaccination.
Some lines still require vaccination. Cunard, for example, although part of the Carnival group, insists that all passengers over 18 are vaccinated. The line has, however, removed the need for vaccinated passengers to take a compulsory Covid test.
The upshot of all this is that even if you are fully vaccinated, its essential to check your cruise lines rules regarding vaccination and testing and the rules of the ports your chosen itinerary will visit.
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Avoid Parts Of The Lakeshore At Night
The lakeshore is beautiful, especially at night, with the lights of the city sparkling in the water below. Although there are some awesome places along Chicagos lakeshore to hang out at night, not all of them are very safe. For example, Navy Pier is always full of people on any given summer night, making it a safe choice for a lakeside stroll. On the other hand, you should avoid places like Belmont Harbor that are totally empty and very dark at night.
A good rule of thumb is to stick to parts of the lakeshore that are close to downtown and have plenty of people milling about. Navy Pier, the Museum Campus, and Concrete Beach are all fine, whereas any of the lakeside beaches or parks on the north side of the city can be dangerous at night.
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Is It Safe To Take A Cruise Right Now
My personal opinion is that it’s safer to be in a closed environment with vaccinated people than living everyday with many people not being vaccinated. That opinion has been backed up by the CDC’s actions. The federal agency has now eliminated its pandemic-related Cruise Travel Health Notices for cruise passengers and has also eliminated all risk warnings.
The agency does still offer the following guidance:
“The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships. If the virus is spreading on board a cruise ship, passengers and crew are at risk for infection, even if they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.”
All three major cruise lines have procedures to quarantine passengers who show signs of covid or test positive. Those actions have limited outbreaks on ships. with no crew members for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, or Norwegian being hospitalized due to covid.
As long as covid exists, being around people comes with risk. Cruise lines, however, have taken significant measures to control those risks and limit spread. That makes taking a cruise a viable, safe option for healthy people.
Is It Safe To Go On A Cruise All You Need To Know
Is it safe to go on a cruise vacation? In answering the question, we address common concerns that passengers may have.
When determining if it is safe to go on a cruise, the answer will depend on what your concerns are. For some, it is the concern over COVID-19 outbreaks. After all, we go on cruises to relax not to get sick with a virus.
For others, the concern is the overall safety of traveling on the open sea. What happens during bad weather? However, it is natural to wonder if it is safe to go on a cruise. Here, well break down all of your potential concerns.
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Service On This Small Luxury Ship Is Exceptional
I think I’ve forgotten how to relax, which is weird, considering I sailed on 10 cruises between April and November 2021. But somehow the cold winter weather and monotony of December and January had my stress high and my restlessness even higher.
In my head, that was going to change the second I got onboard SeaDream II, but the reality is, it took me a little longer to get into the flow. I grabbed that welcome glass of Champagne with gusto, but it took time to shake off the worry of the real world.
Frank, a sommelier who has worked for SeaDream Yacht Club for almost two decades, turned it around for me. The friendly Hungarian met us with a smile and an offer of a ship tour to help us get our bearings. He delivered drinks and half-joked that even though he’s from Hungary, his home is truly onboard SeaDream’s yachts. He clearly loves what he’s doing, especially when that means interacting with guests.
We’d soon learn that Frank was just the first dose of friendliness we’d find onboard SeaDream II, where the crew know you by name before you even set foot on the ship. Perhaps it comes from the fact that they have an unwritten rule: Never say no to the guest.
After several months at home, where the closest I’ve come to any kind of service has been the Amazon delivery guy, this level of pampering has been a dream.
Can Traveling On A Cruise Increase The Risk Of Getting Covid
Yes. As the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains, the virus that causes Covid-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters onboard cruise ships. If the virus is spreading on a ship, passengers and crew are at risk for infection. Even though a cruise line might not require proof of vaccination to board, the CDC still recommends that travelers are up to date with their Covid-19 vaccines before taking a cruise, in addition to following their ships requirements and recommendations against the virus.
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Cruise Ship Covid Testing Requirements
Testing is also of utmost importance, with all passengers undergoing pre-departure Covid testing.
Chris Hackney, Managing Director of TUI brand , detailed: “Both crew and customers follow robust testing procedures which include regular testing onboard and daily temperature checks.
Viking has gone the extra mile and is the only cruise line to have installed PCR labs on ocean ships. There is also a network of laboratories on our river voyages too.
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“In fact, I think the only other ship in the world with a PCR Lab is a US Navy ship,” said Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen. Furthermore, the line is the only travel company conducting daily PCR testing guests and crew, he added.
“Cruise ships offer a highly controlled environment with science-backed measures, known testing and vaccination levels far above other venues or modes of transportation and travel,” commented Lynn Narraway MD of both Seabourn and Holland America Line .
Meanwhile, Saga has doubled the number of medical staff onboard and expanded its medical facilities, including a new isolation area.
Are Cruise Ships Allowed In Venice
Venice has a love-hate relationship with cruise ships and mass tourism in general, it sometimes seems. Ships measuring more than 25,000grt were banned in 2021 from sailing along the Giudecca Canal that famous passage that takes you past St Marks Square, looking down on the ancient city. Now, only the smallest ships are allowed on the Giudecca, including those belonging to CroisiEurope and Uniworld, both of which operate Venice Lagoon cruises.
Big ships now dock at the industrial and ferry port of Marghera, just visible from the city and connected to the centre by a vaporetto service. You can still check in at the Stazione Marittima, the purpose-built terminal at the end of the Giudecca, but youll then board a bus to Marghera, where your ship will be waiting.
A couple of cruise lines have moved their operations away from Venice altogether. Celebrity Cruises* and sister line Royal Caribbean* now base their ships in Ravenna, two hours drive along the coast, offering Venice as a day trip.
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What About Hurricanes
While traveling to certain destinations is popular for families during the summer months, you may run the risk of encountering hurricane season.
Hurricanes have increased in frequency since the 1980s. This is the period in which high-quality satellite data has been available. Not only have they increased in frequency, but they have become more intense and longer in duration. Additionally, they are also beginning earlier in the season.
If you have booked a cruise and a hurricane is on the horizon, most cruise lines will cancel the trip. However, if you dont want to have to contend with this possibility, then you can avoid cruises to the Caribbean during the months of June to December.
If you want to travel to this area, select a location in the southern Caribbean where, statistically, there are less severe hurricanes.
What You Need To Know
- Protect yourself and others from COVID-19
- Get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before cruise ship travel.
- Check directly with your cruise line about their COVID-19 testing or vaccination protocols before travel.
- If your cruise line does not have a specific testing requirement, get tested as close to time of cruise departure as possible .
- Get tested again after cruise travel.
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Canadas Guidelines For Cruises
Canada has a set of requirements for those wanting to go on a cruise. Until Oct. 1, 2022, with only a few exceptions, anyone over the age of 12 was required to be fully vaccinated against COVID. Some cruise lines required children as young as 5 to have vaccinations. As of Oct. 1, 2022, Canada ended the requirements. However, you should check Canadas travel requirements page for the latest info.
Anyone entering Canada by land or air can still use the ArriveCAN tool, but as of Oct. 1, 2022, they will no longer be required to within 72 hours of boarding your flight or entering the country by land.
What To Expect When Going On A Cruise
Many cruise lines are requiring passengers to be fully vaccinated. Disney Cruise Line has extended this rule to those under five. Guests may need to take supervised antigen or PCR tests prior to boarding. People are also being told to wear masks indoors. Other precautions may include:
- Staggered boarding times. Guests can select times to arrive at their port by using an app. Using the app spaces out people entering the cruise ship
- Areas are frequently disinfected.
- The air found in public areas gets replaced every five-to-six minutes by using enhanced filtration systems.
- Medical professionals have received extended training to deal with COVID-19, while medical centers are being equipped with testing.
- Muster drills are provided through videos guests can watch in their rooms prior to checking in at the muster station prior to departing.
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Carnivals Protocols For Cruises
The Carnival cruise vaccine policy requires anyone 5 years old or older who is fully vaccinated against COVID to provide proof prior to embarkation. Passengers age 5 years or older who are not vaccinated, must provide a negative PCR or antigen test within three days of cruise departure.
All guests must complete an online check-in and choose an arrival appointment. However, the cruise line suggests passengers download the VeriFly app to submit their health information, including vaccination status.
They recommend guests wear face masks when indoors, and cruises 16 nights or longer may require masks indoors. Carnival recommends practicing social distancing and handwashing. For further information, visit Carnival.com.
Private Islands Come Into Their Own
All the major cruise line groups own private Caribbean islands. MSC uses one in the Middle East, too — Sir Bani Yas.
A day at a private island, whether it be Disney’s Castaway Cay or Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, has always been popular for those seeking beach fun. As cruising restarts in earnest, private islands will become less of a fun distraction and more of a necessity, allowing cruise lines to maintain the same health protocols on land as they do at sea — and for passengers to wander at will, rather than having to take a ship excursion.
It’s likely that at least in 2022, most Caribbean itineraries will include a stop and/or an overnight at a private island, and in the case of Virgin Voyages, at its private beach club.
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Tech At The Forefront
The pandemic turbo-charged the use of technology onboard.
What once might have seemed vaguely gimmicky — using your phone as a keycard or to turn off your lights in your cabin — has become the norm. Tech will be front and center of the cruise ship experience.
Almost everything you do before you get onboard — online check in, boarding pass on your phone and the like — will be touchless.
Once you are on the ship, your phone, RFID wrist band or Ocean Medallion or similar device will act as your keycard and to pay for drinks and services.
You will be encouraged to use the ship’s mobile app to navigate the ship, track your kids, monitor your onboard spending, and to book meals, spa treatments, shore excursions and shows.
In-cabin voice-activated artificial intelligence will answer questions that you once would have had to pick up the phone or walk to the reception desk to ask.
The in-person muster drill will be a thing of the past. Royal Caribbean has already developed the e-muster process and other lines will follow suit to avoid crowds and congregating. Instead, it will take place in your cabin, with a check-in at your own time.
An interesting additional feature of RFID wristbands is that they can be adapted for use as a track and trace device — something that Royal Caribbean is already doing in Singapore.