Heidi BucoloHolland America Line Simplifies COVID-19 Procedures
Streamlined protocols meet public health goals while giving greater access for guests who are excited to cruise
Seattle, Wash., Aug. 15, 2022 — Holland America Line is updating its “Travel Well” COVID-19 protocols and procedures, including requirements for vaccinations and pre-cruise testing that meet public health goals while recognizing the evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation. These changes will go into effect for cruises departing on or after Sept. 6, 2022.
Under the simplified procedures, for most voyages up to 15 nights, vaccinated guests will no longer have to test before cruising and unvaccinated guests will be welcomed with a self-test within three days of sailing. The new protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, including Canada, Australia, and Greece.
“Our guests have been excited to return to cruising, and these changes will make it easier for more guests to explore the world in a safe and enjoyable environment,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “The new, simplified protocols recognize the evolving nature of COVID-19 while still ensuring we protect the health of our guests, team members and the communities we visit.”
Key changes for cruises up to 15 nights (Ages 5 and older, not including full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean and designated remote voyages):
- Vaccinated guests must provide evidence of vaccination status prior to embarkation. Pre-cruise testing is no longer required.
- Unvaccinated guests are welcomed aboard and must provide results of a negative medically supervised or self-test taken within three days of embarkation.
Protocols for cruises 16 nights or longer (plus full Panama Canal transit, trans-ocean and designated remote voyages, ages 5 and older):
- All guests will be required to submit a medically supervised COVID-19 test with written negative result. The test must be taken within three days of embarkation.
- Guests must be vaccinated or request an exemption.
Guests on longer voyages will be provided additional information about protocols based on ports visited. Guests can continue to submit documents electronically ahead of embarkation for a simple and faster check-in process.
Holland America Line recommends that guests visit the TravelWell section of the company’s website for updates prior to cruise departure, as well as instructions on how to provide results of a negative test.
SOURCE Holland America Line
Comments
Are you happy to hear that Holland America simplifies its COVID procedures removing requirements for vaccination and testing for vaccinated guests on most sailings? Do you have an upcoming cruise with HAL? Drop us an anchor below to share your cruise plans.
3 comments
Daniel R Blunt
Why do vaccinated have to have a pre boarding covid supervised test for a single stop in Canada during the cruise but unvaccinated may board and can do a self test within 3 days of sailing. This is nonsense. Everyone needs to same rules. Let all the passengers do self tests within 3 days of departure, or everyone has to have a covid check before sailing
Bonnie
Our Alaskan cruise stops in Victoria, BC, are guests that are not planning on going ashore required to have the 72 hour pre-boarding Covid test?
Joan Kummerer
If the cruise ship stops in Vancouver and we intend to go ashore, is the 72 hour pre-boarding Covid test proof still required?