Carnival Corporation’s luxury cruise operator Seabourn has waived vaccine requirements for most trips aboard six ships in its fleet. The cruise line will also ease testing requirements for fully vaccinated passengers. The new procedures for cruises under 16 nights will come into effect starting September 6.
The steps taken by Seabourn follow similar moves from other cruise lines under the Carnival Corporation group of cruise brands, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Princess, Holland America and others, all of which changed their protocols in the last week.
Seabourn eases health and safety requirements
Beginning September 6, Seabourn will simplify health and safety requirements for guests aboard one of the company’s six ultra-luxury cruise ships.
For most cruises under 16 nights, fully vaccinated guests will no longer need to submit a pre-cruise test. Unvaccinated guests are welcome on board but must provide the results of a negative medical or self-test taken within three days of departure.
“Our goal is to provide a luxury vacation experience that is unmatched in quality, safety and enjoyment.” said Josh Leibowitz, president of Seabourn. “These updated guidelines reflect our ongoing commitment to protecting our guests, the people in the communities we touch and serve, and our employees on board and ashore. We look forward to welcoming all guests on board and providing unforgettable Seabourn moments.”
For trips of 16 nights or more, vaccinated guests must still submit a supervised medical test for COVID-19 with a negative written result. This test must be done within three days of departure.
Unvaccinated guests cannot sail on these longer cruises. Guests must either be vaccinated or can try to request an exemption from Seabourn.
What cruises are included?
While the new protocols appear to cover most cruises aboard Seabourn ships, some exceptions have been introduced.
The new protocols do not apply to itineraries to countries where local regulations require vaccinations or testing, such as sailings to and from Canada, Greece and Australia.
Exceptions also exist for unique, higher-risk voyages, such as Panama Canal transits, transatlantic voyages, and designated long-distance voyages.
This is likely to affect sailings aboard the cruise line’s newest ship, Seabourn venture. This ship, which set sail on its maiden voyage last month, operates in some of the most remote areas of our planet.
Cruise line change protocols
In July, the CDC removed all requirements for cruise ships regarding the COVID-19 testing and vaccine mandates that were in effect on board. Although the cruise industry could have changed the protocols soon after, many waited to see how the situation would evolve and who would make the first move to remove the protocols.
In the last two weeks, most cruise lines felt the pinch it was the right time to make important changes. That meant changing testing protocols, or as is the case with Seabourn Cruise Line, even waiving vaccine mandates.
As it is said, the situation is far from returning to normal. It may be that an increase in cases will cause cruise lines to reinstate vaccination mandates on shorter cruises and require a stricter testing regimen.
Those who have been waiting for many months to sail again will have to watch closely how cases evolve during the fall. If there is a significant increase in cases ashore or aboard cruise ships, ask what the cruise line intends to do.
The possibility of a canceled cruise is still very real, despite the positive news from recent months.
