Tag Archives: vaccination

Carnival Brands to Relax Covid Mask Wearing Protocols.

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Carnival Corporation has confirmed its cruise brands will opt into new US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Covid protocols when operating in the US.

From 1 March, masks will be recommended but not mandatory onboard Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Seabourn and Princess Cruises voyages, although they may be needed for certain venues and events.

Carnival Cruise Line said it will continue to meet the standard of vaccinated cruises, but children under five would not be included in any vaccinated guest calculation and will not be required to receive an exemption to sail. The brand said it would also allow “additional flexibility” in pre-cruise testing requirements.

President Christine Duffy said: “The public health situation has continued to improve, providing confidence about these changes. Our protocols will evolve as we continue to remain dedicated to protecting the public health of our guests, crew and the communities we visit.”

Princess president John Padgett added: “Princess has proven cruise vacations are safe and healthy for our guests and teams. Going forward, Princess is prepared to adjust operating protocols to ensure our guests have amazing vacations while always protecting the safety of our guests, team members and destinations.

“We appreciate the ongoing collaboration among multiple government agencies as well as the support of Alaska officials and other delegations.”

COVID Outbreak Ends Voyage For Thousands Already Aboard Cruise Ship

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The German operator of a cruise ship that has been stuck in Lisbon’s port due to an outbreak of the coronavirus among its crew pulled the plug on the voyage on Sunday after some passengers tested positive, port authorities said.

The AIDAnova, with 2,844 passengers and 1,353 crew onboard docked in Lisbon on Dec. 29 while en route to the island of Madeira for New Year’s Eve celebrations, but was unable to continue the journey after 52 cases of COVID-19 were detected among the fully-vaccinated crew.

It had been allowed to leave port and head to the Spanish island of Lanzarote on Sunday, but now another 12 people have tested positive, including four passengers, captain of the port Diogo Vieira Branco told TSF radio.

“The company’s protocol was immediately actioned, with those infected, who are asymptomatic or displaying light symptoms, immediately isolated on the ship … and the company decided to end the cruise and disembark the passengers,” he said.

The passengers would be transported home by air, he added, without specifying when.

The company, AIDA Cruises, which is a subsidiary of Carnival Corp, did not reply to a Reuters request for comment.

Reuters footage showed passengers still enjoying the afternoon sun on decks with their drinks, and local media said the disembarking would begin after 6 a.m. on Monday.

The crew who had tested positive between Wednesday and Friday were transferred to Lisbon hotels and were in isolation there.

On Thursday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised people to avoid travelling on cruise ships regardless of their vaccination status.

The move delivered another blow to the industry that only returned to the seas in June after a months-long suspension of voyages caused by the pandemic.

P&O cruise changes its Vaccination rules.

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P&O Cruises is changing its vaccination policy for all Caribbean holidays on Britannia and Azura with all passengers now needing to be fully vaccinated.

The line’s president Paul Ludlow said its Covid-19 protocols “needed to evolve to the changing public health situation” which had prompted the change in policy.

“Given the long-haul destinations, the number of ports of call in different countries, combined with the current health protocols and entry requirements in the Caribbean, all guests of all ages will need to be fully vaccinated in order to travel on any Caribbean holiday up to and including 27 March 2022,” said Ludlow.

“This policy will also include our long Caribbean cruises on Ventura and Aurora leaving in January and February next year.

“As always, our priority is the health and well-being of all on board and we will contact those guests who may be affected by this change.”

The change comes as P&O Cruises prepares to restart cruises on Ventura, which will become the brand’s third ship to resume international trips on Sunday (3 October).

Ventura is setting sail for the Canary Islands on its restart cruise as P&O sees more demand for international voyages. The ship joins Iona and Britannia, which sailed around the UK during the summer before restarting international itineraries last month.

P&O plans to have four ships in operation by the end of the year with Azura due to resume operations in December 2021 when it joins Britannia for the Caribbean winter season.

The brand has previously announced plans to operate its full fleet of six ships by spring 2022 when Arcadia and Aurora will begin sailing again.

“Ventura’s international restart is the result of guest confidence in cruising and is the very latest stage of P&O Cruises sailing resumption as we work towards the return of our full fleet in spring 2022,” added Ludlow.

“Due to demand and the resounding endorsement of the first international holidays on Iona and Britannia we’ve opened up increased capacity to holiday with us.


“We’re proud to have four ships sailing internationally this year giving our guests a greater choice of where and when they travel with P&O Cruises for winter sun.”


Ventura is sailing on 12-night winter-sun trips to Spain and Portugal before a 35-night round-trip itinerary from Southampton to the Caribbean departing on 3 January 2022.