COVID-19 Small-Ship Cruising Protocols
By Anne Kalosh.
September 20, 2022 Update
Reporter Anne Kalosh updates us on the easing of COVID-19 protocols HERE.
June 17 2022 Update
With the exception of some itineraries in Southeast Asia and China (and eastern Europe and Russian due to Ukraine war), small-ship lines are operating again.
Many, but not all, small-ship lines are requiring proof of vaccination and some mandate the booster.
Mask policies onboard are in flux, but often they are not required, especially if you’re vaccinated.
See the COVID protocols on each line’s website for more details.
Feb 22, 2022 Update
Small-ship lines are operating again.
Many, but not all, small-ship lines are requiring proof of vaccination and a few mandate the booster.
Mask policies onboard are in flux.
See the COVID protocols on each line’s website for more details.
Last updated July 3, 2021
COVID-19 small ship cruising protocols continue to be in a very fluid state.
As river and coastal cruises resume in the United States and Europe, and small ships venture out in the Galápagos, Caribbean, Iceland, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, there’s a patchwork of rules and procedures.
Policies may vary by cruise line, vessel, country, region and port/destination — yes, it’s that granular.
Travelers will find an array of nuance, to the point where two river operators with the same or similar itineraries may have different policies.
Because regulations are continually changing and developing, many lines aren’t providing specifics until weeks or sometimes even days prior to embarkation.
Catherine is among Uniworld’s first river vessels to resume service in Europe this summer. * Photo: Uniworld
Stay Flexible
If you plan to cruise now or probably any time during 2021, you’ll need to be flexible.
A few passengers have gotten unhappy surprises when things changed, sometimes from the time they left home until they got to the embarkation port.
In a recent example: Cruisers embarking in the Bahamas were told they needed a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their trip, a requirement for entry to the country. They also were told fully vaccinated travelers would not be tested again at the terminal. But things changed and everyone, regardless of vaccination status, was tested.
And passengers set for the first voyage (in June 2021) of the newly extended and updated Star Breeze, operated by Windstar Cruises, learned just days before that the ship would not be allowed to visit ports on the Caribbean itinerary from St. Maarten because most crew were unvaccinated.
The scheduled destinations were Anguilla, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, Norman Island and St. Barthélemy.
Windstar has a vaccination mandate for passengers but hadn’t been able to get its crew inoculated in time, so Star Breeze spent the week docked in St. Maarten or sailing around. No port calls. Passengers who decided to go ahead with the trip got a free cruise.
Windstar crew at Star Grill aboard Star Breeze. * Photo: Windstar
Some Mandate Vaccination, Others Testing — Or Both
COVID-19 vaccines are reopening travel, but not all lines are mandating vaccination. Of course, they’re following regulations where they operate, and many countries require proof of a negative COVID-19 test, even if people are fully vaccinated.
At least a growing number of countries are doing away with quarantine on arrival, removing a major barrier to travel.
A few lines are testing all passengers, even if they’re vaccinated.
Universal Protocols
Cruise operators have developed robust COVID-19 protocols including pre-trip and embarkation screening, enhanced sanitation, technology to minimize touch points and contact tracing.
Some lines prominently post protocols on their websites — look for tabs like “COVID-19 Protocols” or “Health & Safety.” Others make you search for it.
Sometimes the information is unclear, confusing or even contradictory. One line told QuirkyCruise it’s actually trying to downplay the fact that COVID-19 vaccination is mandated so it’s not mentioned anywhere!
Some lines don’t post specifics, instead advising travelers they’ll get details in their pre-departure materials.
Here, though, are some standard operating procedures:
Reduced Occupancy/Distancing
Many ships are capping occupancy to ensure the ability to social distance.
AmaWaterways, for example, plans to keep its European river vessels at 75 percent occupancy initially.
Dining, activities and entertainment are being reimagined to allow for distancing and, in many cases, no self-service buffets, coffee/tea or snacks. Instead, staff serve guests. UnCruise Adventures is providing menus on single-use paper that are discarded after each use. Other lines may provide a table placard with a QR code so diners can access menus on their smartphones.
Alternative dining options such as expanded room service may be available.
Occupancy in shows and lectures may be limited. Some small ships offer two seatings for nightly entertainment. There may be sign-ups to use facilities like fitness centers in order to limit capacity. Exercise classes and other group activities may be moved outside, to an open deck.
Douro River cruises are among the first to restart for AmaWaterways. Here, plenty of space around the pool aboard AmaVida. * Photo: AmaWaterways
Health Screening, Temperature Checks, Masks
Many lines require advance check-in online or via app. This allows travelers to complete required health questionnaires and provide required documentation in advance and eliminates touch points.
At embarkation and throughout the cruise, routine temperature checks are to be expected. Everyone will be frequently reminded about hand-washing, and hand sanitizers will be in abundance around the ship.
Masks will be required in many or at least some situations — in public rooms, elevators and during embarkation and disembarkation. Ships where everyone is vaccinated, though, may not require masks anywhere on board.
Those with unvaccinated people (even if they’re just the youngsters) may still require masks in public areas, except when actively eating or drinking. On open decks, unvaccinated people may need to mask up.
Masks likely will be mandated on airport transfers, tour buses and during shore excursions. Some expedition lines say it’s OK to go mask-free while on nature hikes and other wilderness trips. Cruisers are required to follow local regulations in each destination.
Mask-free treks in Alaska. * Photo: John Roberts
Some companies or destinations allow passengers ashore only if they participate in the cruise line’s own “bubble” excursions. In any case, occupancy is reduced on motor coaches and small-group tours are a focus.
More lines are adopting the use of Quietvox headphones or other devices to enable tour participants to hear their guide while keeping a distance. Some tour programs are altered due to occupancy restrictions for indoor venues.
Enhanced Sanitation
Anyone who’s ever cruised is used to a high level of cleaning and sanitation on board. That is going to new levels with more frequent cleaning and sanitation, particularly of highly trafficked areas with particular attention to high-touch surfaces like elevator buttons, door handles, tabletops and handrails.
Spas and fitness centers receive added attention, and sports equipment, games and items in children’s areas are cleaned between use. Some ships aren’t initially offering children’s programs.
Ventilation systems should use only fresh air and not recirculate it. Some ships are incorporating high-grade HEPA filters, UV-C radiation and other strategies.
Lindblad Expeditions and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises employ the ACT CleanCoat solution to render surfaces self-disinfecting after one application in conjunction with daily use of ACT Electro-chemically Activated Water as a hospital-grade disinfectant for regular use.
RELATED: Lindblad Announces “Self-Disinfecting” Fleet. by Anne Kalosh
Medical Facilities
Shipboard medical capabilities have been enhanced, and rooms are designated to isolate people who test positive for COVID-19 while on board.
In many destinations — it’s a requirement in the U.S. and recommended in Europe — agreements for safe evacuation and transfer of infected passengers to shoreside medical or quarantine facilities are in place, as well.
Some river vessels now carry a nurse or medical officer, where they didn’t before. These changes are now all part of COVID-19 small-ship cruising protocols.
Crew Care
Crew are undergoing additional training to carry out the new healthy safety protocols.
They are routinely tested for COVID-19 and monitored, and a growing number of lines require vaccination as a condition of employment.
Crew will likely be masked — with some exceptions on fully vaccinated ships — and those in food service, galleys and other key areas will wear additional personal protective equipment.
A Testing Primer
A quick primer on testing: A nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) is used to detect the genetic material of the COVID virus and is highly accurate. It also takes longer to get results and is more expensive. Examples of NAAT tests include a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. These NAAT/PCR tests require laboratory processing that may take several days, although rapid PCR tests are available with results in only a few hours.
An antigen test detects the outer protein of the virus. Sophisticated equipment is not needed, quick results can be obtained and the cost is lower than NAAT/PCR. However, antigen tests are less accurate than NAAT/PCR.
Antigen test. * Photo: Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
Antibody testing detects whether a person has COVID antibodies, which indicates they’ve mounted a response to the virus. Some countries and cruise lines may accept this in lieu of vaccination.
Most countries require travelers to present a negative NAAT/PCR test to enter, while antigen testing is more typically used by cruise lines at embarkation.
U.S. domestic coastal operator UnCruise Adventures, sailing in Alaska this summer, requires vaccination of travelers 18 and older (ages 17 and under can sail unvaccinated). And everyone aged 2 and older must present a PCR test taken within four days before their trip.
Windstar Cruises, which has a vaccination mandate, provides and administers a free antigen test at the pier prior to boarding.
Lindblad Expeditions, which mandates adult vaccination, also requires a PCR test three to five days prior to embarkation that’s submitted to the line no later than 24 hours prior to departing for the expedition. And then everyone gets a rapid antigen test administered by Lindblad prior to boarding.
At Tauck, unvaccinated travelers need to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their trip.
SeaDream Yacht Club mandates vaccination for those 18 and older and limits the number of unvaccinated travelers under 18. For the line’s Norway sailings this summer, there are special documentation requirements for all travelers to Norway. Plus, unvaccinated travelers must show SeaDream a PCR test within 72 hours of embarkation, and they’ll get an antigen test at embarkation. However, children under 12 don’t need to be tested.
Some countries require a negative test for re-entry, so lines like SeaDream and AmaWaterways facilitate testing toward the end of the cruise or at the post-cruise hotel.
SeaDream is returning to the fresh air and open vistas of Norway for a limited season this summer. * Photo: SeaDream Yacht Club
Passenger Vaccination
Which lines mandate full vaccination?
Very few small-ship operators have a 100 percent mandate.
Examples are American Queen Steamboat Co., Crystal River Cruises and Crystal Expedition Cruises, Grand Circle Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Victory Cruise Lines and Windstar Cruises.
Other lines may state they require vaccination, but just for adults. So unvaccinated youngsters may still travel, and even the age requirements can vary by cruise line and by country. Some lines exempt those with medical or other reasons not to get the shots.
Lindblad Expeditions’ mandate is for 16 and older, with the age dropping to 12 and older from Aug. 1.
Lines define full vaccination, in the U.S. at least, as having completed the second shot a minimum of 14 days prior to travel. This may vary in other countries.
U.S.-based lines accept Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, the three that have emergency authorization from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
They may allow other vaccines.
One U.S.-based European river cruise line is accepting Sputnik V but not Sinovac.
Extra Documentation
Proof of COVID-19 test results may be required in advance by the cruise operator, and even if that’s the case, lines may need to see that documentation again at embarkation.
The same goes for proof of vaccination. Lines specify the type of documentation accepted — this could be original vaccination record issued by the administering country’s health authority or the medical provider who administered the vaccination. Some may accept a copy or QR code.
At American Queen Steamboat Co., travelers must upload an image of their COVID-19 vaccination card prior to their pre-cruise hotel check-in. Those who fail to provide this proof will be denied boarding and subject to full cancellation penalties.
The European Union’s digital COVID-19 travel certificate is available to expedite travel for EU nationals who have been fully vaccinated with one of the EU-approved vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zeneca and Janssen), who can document recovery in the last six months or who test negative before their trip.
In resuming river service with two vessels, Crystal has universal vaccination and testing mandates. * Photo: Crystal River Cruises
Extra Costs
If you’re going to cruise, expect extra costs for COVID-19 testing. While some lines cover the cost of these tests at embarkation and on board (if required for re-entry to home countries), others do not so this is the traveler’s responsibility.
SeaDream Yacht Club’s website states that if a traveler requires a negative PCR certificate for re-entry into their home country, SeaDream can provide one for $110.
Some lines cover the cost of testing for children too young to be vaccinated, though not for unvaccinated adults.
UnCruise Adventures has a $97 surcharge to cover the added costs of its COVID-19 protocols. This does not cover testing, which is also on the traveler’s dime.
Some lines are requiring travel insurance that covers costs related to COVID-19. This may be mandated for all or only for unvaccinated travelers.
UnCruises’ 86-passenger Legacy in Alaska. * Photo: John Roberts
U.S. Domestic Cruising
U.S. river and coastal cruises have been sailing since mid-March, first on the Lower Mississippi River and gradually branching out with voyages in Alaska, Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, the Pacific Northwest’s Columbia and Snake rivers and New England.
American Queen Steamboat Co., whose 100 percent vaccination mandate went into effect July 1, has been able to do away with pre-embarkation testing, masks on board and “bubble” tours.
Travelers can take part in unrestricted hop-on, hop off shore excursions. And crew — who also are required to be vaccinated— don’t need to wear masks, either.
However, travelers still need to mask up when boarding the riverboats and on shore excursion motor coaches, as per U.S. federal requirements for public transportation. And they need to follow each destination’s mask mandates and other protocols.
The relaxation of rules applies to all of AQSC’s Mississippi, Ohio and Cumberland river sailings.
American Empress travelers on the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest still have to take a PCR test at their pre-cruise hotel (included and arranged by AQSC) due to Washington state requirements.
American Empress resumed sailing in the Pacific Northwest. Here, the paddle-wheeler at Oregon’s The Dalles. * Photo: American Queen Steamboat Co.
American Cruise Lines doesn’t have a vaccination mandate, except on its Pacific Northwest cruises, where Washington state requires it (with an allowance for two unvaccinated passengers or up to 5% of total passenger capacity to be unvaccinated).
On American’s cruises, travelers who are not fully vaccinated must take a COVID-19 test (only a molecular test such as a NAAT or PCR is accepted) within four days before their cruise package starts. Further, on Pacific Northwest cruises, the additional Washington state testing mandate at embarkation applies even to those who are vaccinated.
Europe
As European countries open, entry requirements and protocols vary widely, sometimes even between neighboring countries. This makes it challenging right now for operators of European river cruises that traverse many borders.
And it’s why a number of European river lines that cater primarily to North Americans started with single-country itineraries. For example, Portugal’s Douro River, the rivers of France, Italy’s Po — in each case, one country, a consistent set of regulations.
Americans and European Union residents may enter Portugal, with Americans needing to show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their arrival or an antigen test within 24 hours. France is open to U.S. travelers with a negative PCR test within 72 hours and to fully vaccinated travelers.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises resumed recently with its fully refurbished La Venezia on the Po. Italy allows travelers from the U.S. who are vaccinated or provide a negative COVID test or proof of full recovery from coronavirus.
Uniworld’s first vessel to sail will be the completely transformed La Venezia in Italy. * Photo: Uniworld
More countries are opening, but Hungary is still closed to most nonessential travel from abroad, which would impact Danube cruises.
However, Rudi Schreiner, president and co-founder of AmaWaterways, doesn’t expect Hungary to remain on the “red” list but if it still is when his line resumes Danube service, Ama will stop at the Hungarian border.
Crystal River Cruises just announced plans to begin sailing in late August with two of its vessels, Crystal Ravel on the Danube and Crystal Debussy on the Rhine. Meanwhile Tauck is starting on the Rhine in late August and the Danube in September.
Tauck is resuming all its European river cruises. Here, Dürnstein, Austria, on the Danube. * Photo: Tauck
“Reopen EU,” a European Union site, provides information on the various measures in each country, including quarantine and testing requirements for travelers, the EU digital COVID-19 travel certificate and mobile coronavirus contact tracing and warning apps.
When it comes to ocean cruising, Club Med 2 and a number of Ponant ships will be sailing throughout the Mediterranean this summer and fall, including along the coasts of France, to the Adriatic and Greece.
Greece
Many lines are flocking to Greece, one of the first countries to throw out the welcome mat to travelers from a wide range of countries.
SeaDream Yacht Club and Windstar are among them, and new brand Atlas Ocean Voyages plans to debut its World Navigator Aug. 4 in Piraeus, the port for Athens.
Greece is a popular destination this summer. Here, a Ponant ship off Mykonos. * Photo: Julie Gourio for Ponant
Iceland
Another hot destination for small-ship operators this summer is Iceland, where vaccinated travelers and those who have documentation of COVID antibodies no longer need to be tested on arrival.
Among the ships are a couple brand new ones: Crystal’s first expedition vessel, Crystal Endeavor, and Lindblad Expeditions’ first polar-class new build, National Geographic Endurance.
EYOS Expeditions is offering cabin charters on the seven-cabin Hanse Explorer, sailing around Iceland’s wild northwest coast. These offer the exclusivity of a private yacht experience but with the convenience of individual cabins for sale.
EYOS’s Hanse Explorer. * Photo: EYOS
Galápagos Islands
Small ships are also exploring Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands, where a government campaign aimed to vaccinate all adult islanders as a way of helping revive tourism there.
Particularly notable is Silversea’s brand-new Silver Origin. Celebrity Cruises’ three yachts are starting in stages and Lindblad, Metropolitan Touring, Tauck, and UnCruise are some of the others whose Galápagos programs are underway.
Australia/New Zealand
While Australia and New Zealand are still closed to international cruise ships with no sign of opening — most big-ship lines have canceled itineraries into mid-December — a few small domestic lines are operating for Aussies and Kiwis.
Australian Pacific Touring’s Caledonian Sky has commenced sailing in Western Australia on the Kimberley. Coral Expeditions, which restarted operations in October 2020, is also cruising the Kimberley, along with the Great Barrier Reef and other coastal areas, and plans to expand to New Zealand thanks to the trans-Tasman “bubble” approved by the two countries.
Aurora Expeditions is embarking on Kimberley sailings, and coastal voyages in western and southern Australia, with Tasman Sea voyages to come.
In New Zealand, Heritage Expeditions is sailing varied, in-depth itineraries, for example, to the most remote areas of Stewart Island, south of the South Island.
RELATED: Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, a Cruise Guide. by Ted Scull.
Sampler Of Small-Ship Protocols
AmaWaterways COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
American Cruise Lines COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
American Queen Steamboat Co. COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
Coral Expeditions COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
Crystal River Cruises COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
Crystal Expedition Cruises COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
Grand Circle Cruise Line COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
Lindblad Expeditions COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
Ponant COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
SeaDream Yacht Club COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
Silversea Cruises COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
Star Clippers COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
Tauck COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
UnCruise Adventures COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
Uniworld COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
Windstar Cruises COVID-19 Small Ship Cruising Protocols
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HEIDI SARNA
I am curious about oxygen concentraters. Can I cruise if I use oxygen
Hi Lorena, yes, you can cruise with many cruise lines if you have a portable oxygen concentrator (POC). That said, you would still have to check with each cruise lines first to see exactly what they require.