Small-Ship Cruise Lines Mandate COVID-19 Vaccination
By Anne Kalosh.
Small-ship sister brands American Queen Steamboat Co. and Victory Cruise Lines are leading the cruise world on the vaccination front.
They’re taking the bold step of mandating COVID-19 vaccination for all passengers, crew and tour motor coach drivers. This applies to sailings beginning July 1 across all seven vessels in the AQSC and Victory fleets.
AQSC operates American Queen, the grande dame of paddle-wheel steamboats, and paddle-wheelers American Duchess, American Empress and, set to debut this spring, the brand-new American Countess. Victory sails the twin coastal ships Victory I and Victory II and plans to branch out into expedition cruising with the new build Ocean Victory this summer in Alaska.
The small vessels of American Queen Steamboat Co. include paddle-wheeler American Duchess, seen her at Natchez, Mississippi. * Photo: AQSC
Prior to this, only the U.K.’s Saga Cruises, a line for over 50s, has mandated passenger (but not crew) vaccination, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the parent of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, has expressed its intention all crew be vaccinated.
Other cruise operators are taking an “it’s too early to say what role vaccines will play for us” stance.
RELATED: COVID-19 Protocols for Small Ships.
‘Most Prudent Next Step’
“Vaccination requirement for both our guests and crew is the most prudent next step to ensure that we are providing the safest cruising experience possible,” according to John Waggoner, CEO and founder of AQSC and Victory’s parent company.
“Our new vaccination requirement, coupled with comprehensive health and safety protocols and risk-free booking policy, will give our loyal guests another added level of assurance to join us as we return to sailing.”
“Vaccination requirement for both our guests and crew is the most prudent next step to ensure that we are providing the safest cruising experience possible,” John Waggoner said. * Photo: Anne Kalosh
What’s the initial reaction to the new policy?
So far, “It’s been very well-received by travel agents and loyal guests alike,” a company spokesperson told QuirkyCruise.
Most Customers Are 65-Plus
The majority of the two brands’ customers are Americans 65-plus and therefore eligible now, or soon will be, for vaccination according to the U.S. rollout.
If a traveler is not able to receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to their scheduled trip, the lines will rebook them for a future cruise at no charge.
Travelers unable to get both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination prior to their scheduled trip, or who have no intention of receiving the vaccine, should contact their line’s reservations department.
Based on the current U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that Phase 1c of the vaccination allocation includes essential workers engaged in transportation, vaccinations should readily be available for crew members before the July 1 target date, the company said.
In addition, all motor coach drivers for shore excursions — which are included as part of the travel package for AQSC and Victory — will need to be vaccinated. Vaccination of other shoreside employees will not be required initially but is planned in future.
The vaccination requirement will apply across all seven vessels belonging to AQSC and Victory. Pictured here, coastal ship Victory II. * Photo: Victory Cruise Lines
Expands On Existing Protocols
The AQSC and Victory policy expands on enhanced health and safety measures announced in 2020. These include reduced guest capacity, heightened sanitation and disinfection procedures and pre-cruise COVID-19 testing for all passengers and crew.
Masks will be mandated in all public areas where social distancing is not possible.
Social distancing and other protocols will still apply. Here, widely spaced tables in the River Grill aboard the new American Countess. * Photo: American Queen Steamboat Co.
Both lines are continuing to work with health advisors including maritime medical expert Vikand Solutions and national and local health officials on evolving guidelines to protect those on their vessels and in the communities they visit.
All existing health and safety protocols will remain in place following July 1 and until the CDC recommends otherwise.
Sailings Expected To Start In April
Cruises are expected to restart in April, before the COVID-19 vaccination mandate takes effect. The company said it has received “strong interest for our April through June itineraries from guests who are confident in our current measures.”
“Additionally, a good number of these guests will have had access to the vaccine prior. This, combined with our belief that crew will be vaccinated per the CDC recommendation Phase 1c vaccination rollout includes maritime transportation workers, further ensures our confidence to cruise safely.”
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