Small-Ship Cruise Lines Ease COVID-19 Protocols

by Anne Kalosh

More and more small-ship cruise lines are easing COVID-19 protocols.

Mainly, lines are eliminating pre-cruise testing where allowed by the destination and mandatory masking. Some are doing away with their vaccination requirement.

As throughout the pandemic, lines have a patchwork of different rules; things are by no means consistent. And though operators themselves may be easing up, it really comes down to what the destinations require. They trump any cruise line policies.

So if you peruse the health safety sections of cruise line websites, you may still see a daunting list of requirements, because they can vary by destination. There may be differences from place to place as to whether an antigen or a PCR test is needed, whether the antigen test may be self-administered and the time window in which the testing occurs.

There may even be different requirements for longer cruises.

SeaDream Yacht Club has relaxed testing requirements for all its voyages. * Photo: Seadream Yacht Club

It’s sometimes head-scratching how the lines are coming to different conclusions and interpretations for protocols based on the same science. Then again, that’s true of destinations, as well.

COVID Protocols Subject To Change

Plus, protocols are subject to change based on the changing conditions of the pandemic. Sometimes protocols are tightened on ships or at destinations if cases shoot up. So travelers just have to stay flexible.

But the trend, as for society in general, is that mandates are easing.

Eased COVID restrictions are worth toasting. * Photo: Silversea

If you’re booked for a cruise, you’ll likely receive very specific information about what you’ll need to do in advance and what’s expected onboard.

I’m excited to be sailing soon on two new expedition ships, and here’s what I’ve just received from one line, Seabourn, for a Seabourn Venture trip that starts in the United States (San Juan, Puerto Rico) and travels through the Caribbean in October:

Vaccination — All guests 12 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated. A booster dose is required for guests 18 years of age and older whose final dose of an approved/authorized COVID-19 vaccine is older than 5 months to be considered “fully vaccinated.” Only one booster dose is needed to be considered fully vaccinated.

Testing — All guests aged 5 and older are required to take either a PCR COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to embarkation or a medically observed antigen COVID-19 test within two days of embarkation.

All guests must accept the Cruise Contract and COVID-19 Risk Acceptance, complete a COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation in Online Check-In or the mobile app, additionally, within 72-hours prior to boarding all guests must complete the health assessment available in online check-in or the mobile app.

New expedition ship Seabourn Venture COVID protocols

New expedition ship Seabourn Venture. * Photo: Seabourn

It won’t surprise me in the least if the requirements for my second expedition cruise, with a different line and a few weeks later, in another area, are different. I haven’t received those yet.

However, since I’m fully vaxed and boosted and accustomed to pre-trip testing, I’m not anxious about knowing now. Anyway, things may change in the coming weeks.

Most lines advise cruisers what’s needed for their specific sailing within 30 days of departure.

Keep in mind that if you’re traveling pre- or post-cruise to places that aren’t on the itinerary, you’ll need to do your own research for the additional destinations.

I have friends who had to get tested for a country they were visiting after they disembarked the ship, which had to be arranged in advance on the vessel. Sometimes this is possible at no charge; sometimes you pay for it.

Taking Your Own Precautions

COVID-19 is still circulating, and while lines says cruisers tend to be more vaccinated than the general population, it pays to take precautions.

I still mask when walking around indoors on ships, in elevators, in crowded situations such as in theaters for shows and presentations, on shore excursion buses, etc.

A couple who were close contacts on a recent European cruise let me know they tested positive after we disembarked, but I was lucky not to get COVID.

As advised by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, I stayed masked and got tested.

Read The Fine Print on Lines’ COVID-19 Protocols

Besides reading the COVID-19 protocols on cruise line websites, it’s also important to study cruise line cancellation policies, and what happens if you or a member of your traveling party gets coronavirus before traveling or while onboard.

Silversea Cruises, for example, has a very generous COVID policy. The following currently applies to North American residents sailing with this top luxury line: If you or someone in your traveling party tests positive within 10 days before embarkation, you and anyone else in your traveling party who cancels are eligible for a refund of the cruise fare or an optional future cruise credit. The same applies if you had a confirmed close contact with a person who tested positive or is suspected of having COVID-19, within 10 days before embarkation and Silversea deems you are unfit to travel.

Also, if Silversea determines you may have been exposed to or are likely to have been infected by COVID-19 within 10 days before embarkation, the line may require you and others in your household to not travel to the departure port. Anyone effectively denied boarding in these circumstances will be entitled to a refund of the cruise fare or an optional future cruise credit.

Should you, members of your traveling party or other close contacts be denied embarkation or reboarding, or quarantined or disembarked during the Silversea voyage due to a positive COVID-19 test or being suspected of having COVID-19, you and they are entitled to a refund, or an optional future cruise credit in the event of denial at embarkation or a pro-rated refund or pro-rated FCC for the unused portion of your cruise fare in all other cases.

At Lindblad Expeditions, for another example, if travelers are fully vaccinated and were exposed to COVID eight or more days before embarkation, they will be allowed to embark provided they test negative prior to travel and have no symptoms.

If their contact with a test-positive person was within seven days or they have symptoms, they will not be allowed to travel regardless of test results. This includes any exposure that happens on a pre-voyage extension.

A “close contact” is defined as anyone who spent 15 minutes or more within a 24-hour period and was within six feet of a person infected with COVID-19 while they were infectious (two days before onset of symptoms to 10 days after).

At Lindblad, if you or someone in your traveling party tests positive on embarkation day, boarding will be denied and the line will work to book you on a future expedition or provide a future cruise credit.

Consider Insurance

During the pandemic, some cruise lines (or destinations visited) required passengers — particularly those unvaccinated — to have travel insurance that covers COVID-19.

While this requirement, too, has eased, it’s a good idea to consider a policy that protects you from expenses related to trip cancellations and interruptions as well as medical emergencies and evacuations. This is especially relevant heading into the Northern Hemisphere winter season when COVID cases are likely to rise.

Most lines provide insurance that covers COVID-19, but policies may also be purchased independently.

Here’s an example of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ travel protection plans.

And here’s a recent Forbes’ selection of travel insurance plans with COVID coverage.

Following is a sampler of changes small-ship lines have recently announced:

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises no longer require a pre-cruise COVID-19 test for embarking travelers, unless one of the countries on the itinerary mandates it.

Examples of destinations that still mandate testing include Canada, Greece, Australia and New Zealand.

Windstar still requires all passengers to be fully vaccinated and show proof of that.

The line said all its crew are fully vaccinated and nearly all have received boosters.

Windstar “highly” recommends passengers wear masks in indoor public spaces.

Windstar crew are vaccinated as part of COVID protocols

Windstar crew are fully vaccinated. The line still recommends masks for indoor settings. * Photo: Windstar Cruises

Silversea Cruises

Silversea is now accepting travelers regardless of their vaccination status, where local regulations allow.

Also, where local regulations allow, vaccinated travelers are not required to take a COVID-19 test prior to embarkation.

Unvaccinated travelers may sail by providing proof of a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken within 72 hours before embarkation.

At Silversea, unvaccinated travelers may sail with a negative COVID-19 test. Here, new expedition vessel Silver Endeavour. * Photo: Silversea

Ponant Cruises’ COVID Protocols

At Ponant, cruisers are no longer required to test before embarking. If a test is needed by local authorities, the line said passengers will have the opportunity to be tested onboard.

Proof of at least one of these three scenarios is needed to sail: A complete vaccination scheme that includes at least three doses of an mRNA vaccine; two vaccination doses provided the second has been within nine months of the date of embarkation (proof of past infection can count as one of these doses); or one vaccination dose or proof of past infection more than two weeks and within a maximum of four months at the time of embarkation.

Masks are no longer mandatory but are “highly recommended onboard and ashore.” Ponant’s guest-facing crew are still required to wear masks.

Ponant said if COVID is detected onboard, the ship’s doctor may determine that: “Those diagnosed as being of low risk will no longer be automatically required to isolate and will be able to take part in activities, but under supervision and in compliance with instructions, to ensure all those on board remain safe.

“However, if the risk onboard were to increase, Ponant and the ship’s captain may need to reintroduce more extensive measures with regard to tests, mask wearing and quarantine.”

Ponant's Le Bougainville COVID protocols

Ponant’s Le Bougainville. * Photo: @Philip Plisson:Ponant

Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad Expeditions is no longer mandating boosters for passengers, though it “strongly” recommends them. Exceptions, where boosters are still a must, are on longer itineraries in Antarctica, including the 35-day “Epic Antarctica,” 24-day “Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands” and 19-day “South Georgia and the Falklands.”

Travelers four and younger no longer have to be vaccinated though Lindblad “strongly” recommends it.

Masks are now optional, however Lindblad will continue to make them available onboard and “strongly” recommends their use.

Effective with voyages departing from Oct. 1, passengers will no longer need to test before leaving home and will no longer be tested at embarkation. However, testing may still be needed for travelers ahead of cruises to certain countries.

Boosters will still be required by Lindblad Expeditions for extended Antarctica programs 19 days and longer. Here, National Geographic Explorer. * Photo: Lindblad Expeditions

SeaDream Yacht Club

SeaDream Yacht Club relaxed testing requirements for all its voyages.

Although the line encourages passengers 12 and older to be fully vaccinated, SeaDream will no longer call for proof of vaccination status prior to sailing, conduct COVID-19 antigen tests during embarkation or require passengers to test while onboard — destinations permitting.

SeaDream said all crew are fully vaccinated and boosted.

SeaDream encourages, but no longer requires, COVID-19 vaccination. * Photo: SeaDream Yacht Club

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is dropping its COVID-19 vaccination requirement for sailings in 2023.

The vaccination mandate remains through 2022.

Even though Uniworld’s policy will be changing, passengers will have to follow the entry requirements specified by each country visited along their itinerary — by river, land or rail.