More Cruise Lines Updating Their Safety Protocols

Carnival recently updated its safety protocols on Wednesday. This time around, other cruise lines are also doing the same to mitigate the spread of COVID on board.

More Cruise Lines with Updated Safety Protocols

Princess Cruise announced on Thursday that it is adding a mask requirement on board. Plus, passengers will also have to test negative.

In their statement shared by spokesperson Negin Kamali, they are “advising booked guests of temporary changes in onboard mask and pre-cruise testing requirements for cruises in the United States”.  The safety protocol updated will be applied on Sunday.

Guests will need to wear masks on elevators, shops, and other indoor spaces where they are not eating or drinking. Also, masks are required for both embarkation and disembarkation.

On the other hand, the pre-cruise testing requirement is going to take effect from August 15 onwards. Even vaccinated passengers will have to show a negative result either via PCR or antigen taken three days before boarding.

Holland America Line also announced its new safety protocols on Thursday. In their statement, “All guests will now be required to wear masks in certain indoor areas on board”. This new policy will take effect on or after August 7, Saturday until October 31, 2021. Also, guests will have to show a negative COVID test starting August 14. The validity of the test is 72 hours before boarding.

Holland America announced that “For guests on Eurodam’s Greece cruises, an antigen test will be provided at the pier prior to boarding”.

Delta Cases on The Rise

CDC currently has safety protocols in place for cruises. Cruises will need to meet the 95% vaccination threshold for both passengers and crew. Despite safety protocols in place, there were instances when passengers tested positive on board.

Also, the Delta variant is making things more difficult for cruises. According to reports, it is now the dominant strain in the US. White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci warned of the possibility of having a more severe variant. Daily cases in the US hit 100,000 per day.