Carnival Cruise Line has updated its protocols for Bermuda cruises. The cruise destination recently detailed the removal of all entry requirements as of Oct. 25, which affects two Carnival cruise line ships that have scheduled calls to the island.
While testing will no longer be required for vaccinated guests, the cruise line is adhering to testing requirements for unvaccinated guests. Although these are not necessary to enter, according to the criteria established in Bermuda.
Carnival Update for Bermuda Cruises
Bermuda will no longer ask inbound cruise ship passengers show evidence of a negative test for COVID-19 to enter the country, starting on October 25. While this is obviously good news for those sailing to Bermuda, it does not mean that cruise lines will follow these procedures.
This was made clear after Carnival cruise line brand ambassador John Heald clarified the protocols that will be in place for cruises calling at Bermuda in the coming weeks. These include onboard travel The magic of carnivals AND Spirit of Carnival.
In a letter sent to guests booked on Bermuda cruises, Carnival clarifies Bermuda’s new protocols. However, the cruise line will still require unvaccinated guests and those unable to show proof of vaccination to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken at least three days before the cruise.
Also read: IDEAL things to do in Bermuda in 2022
Unvaccinated guests and those without proof of vaccination aged 12 and over will also need proof of travel health insurance, including coverage for COVID-19. Additionally, all guests will need to pay a $40 Bermuda Travel Authorization to enter the country.
Push to remove port of call
According to Heald, there has been some feedback from guests sailing on board Carnival pride in particular, who wonders why Carnival is sailing to Bermuda if the protocols are as strict as they are with the $40 Travel Authorization.
John Heald, brand ambassador for Carnival Cruise Line: “I really understand, but I think for those of you on the transatlantic on the Carnival Pride that after 5 days at sea you will enjoy some dock time and really enjoy beautiful Bermuda. I know there’s a group of 100 or so people who are asking me to talk to beards and cancel Bermuda, but it’s not going to happen.”
“So we still have to comply with the wishes of the Bermuda government and pay them $40 to go there. I’ve gotten a lot of posts about this saying they’d like us to remove the port.”
While it may seem strange that guests are still required to provide proof of vaccination or evidence of a negative test result if they have not been vaccinated, the reason is relatively straightforward. Carnival Cruise Line requires the same of all guests on all ships.
Carnival pride there are scheduled calls in the Azores, Bermuda and Turks & Caicos. And although these destinations do not have entry requirements related to testing, removing the need for a COVID test would mean having different requirements within its fleet. And that would set a precedent that Carnival doesn’t want to set yet.
The magic of carnivals will be in Bermuda on October 25, when the new protocols from the Bermuda government will come into effect. On October 30, Carnival pride will sail from Lisbon, with calls to the Azores at Ponta Delgada and Praia Da Vitoria, on November 1 and 2.
On November 7, Carnival pride will arrive in Bermuda. The ship will make another stop at the recently reopened Grand Turk cruise port and arrive in Tampa, Florida on November 12. Carnival Pride will return to Tampa on April 13, sailing to the Western Caribbean.
