Norwegian Pearl Cruises Answers

Many, many thanks for all your replies & help, however we have now sorted the problem. As suggested we contacted NCL....whilst they could not say for definate whether we needed the vaccinations (although they didn't think we did) they assured us we would not be prevented from boarding the ship without them. We found a neighbouring NHS Surgery who would vaccinate us for £55 each (which seems the "going" rate) although they also indicated we didn't need them....but...if our Travel Company said we did then there really was no choice. When we contacted the said Travel Company they promised to get back with a definate answer. A few hours later we received the call to say that as we were not actually entering Panama we did not need any vaccinations & that we had been sent the wrong information. Following your advice we now have this in writing, plus an assurance they would be correcting their mistake immediatley. Confused....well so are we!!! Crispin

Regarding Vaccinations we have had some experience of this. A couple of years ago we did an Amazon Cruise with P&O. Flying Bham to Barbados a couple of stops in the Caribbean before reaching Brazil and the Amazon then back to Barbados via Tobago. Some 40 would be passengers ignored the compulsory requirment for Yellow Fever Certification and were stopped from even boarding their aircraft in the UK. Other independant travellers who arranged their own flights managed to get as far as the Quayside at Barbados only to find that P&O then stopped them from boarding the ship.My point is whatever your GP or Travel Agent says please pay heed to the requirements laid down by your Travel Company.Believe me if you do not abide by their requirements there is a very good chance that you will lose your holiday. As regards Malaria I doubt if medication is compulsory . However you might want to take some precautions and reccomend Malarone .It is only available on prescription and costs around £2.50 per tablet.We found that obtaining Malarone was cheapest thro the Internet and a company named Stratford Pharmacy have an excellent service. Over the counter at Boots etc they cost more than £3 each tablet.Our GP provided our prescription FOC so if you talk to your Dr. he could not doubt help. I will add however I am a little surprised your Travel Company insists on Yellow Fever for The Panama Canal as we went thro in June 2011 and were not required to have Yellow Fever Vaccinations nor indeed did we take Anti Malaria Medication.

The problem is not the attitude of countries on the central american isthmus rather that of the countries you may visit afterwards. I recall that Aruba ay one stage demanded that all visitors who had arrived from (I think) Colombia needed a certificate. This policy seems to change frequently and I guess NCL are protecting themselves against action if the ship and/or its passengers are denied entry. We made the transit from Miami to San Diego and did not need any "special" vaccinations but on that trip we did not visit any Caribbean Island ports. As Rae advises, get a written answer from NCL direct; whether or not it is a WHO or a national gov't policy is largely imaterial, if NCL say you do not board without a cert you have to get one. As far as any other vaccinations only your GP's surgery can advise based on current WHO guidelines and the surgery's knowledge of your medical history...Richard B

we are doing this cruise with princess in march, have phoned princess to enquire and they say no vaccinations neccesary. i won't be having any

I think the real question here is whether or not NCL themselves insist on this Yellow Fever certificate. I would check with them directly, not via your travel company. And do it so you get an answer in writing to take with you. I have read of people being denied boarding for not having this certificate on another line, when it was a requirement for a port of call.

We did a similar journal four years ago but as we were calling in Columbia we elected to have yellow fever although not compulsory but its just on the edge of the area. This cost £50 each at our NHS doctor but that was 4 years ago. Some countries insist on yellow fever certification if you have been in a yellow fever area so it really depends on your itinery. As for other vaccinations, yes some are recommended, but it depends on your medical history so only your doctor can advise. Book an appointment with your GP practice nurse, give them your itinery and they will advise. They have access to all the latest information on every country in the world....Brian

First of all, no panic as Y/F jabs are effective after ten days so you have plenty of time to research. Many countries require vaccinations...but applicable to certain parts of the country. There ARE areas of Panama where a certificate is required. The FO say at the moment, the Canal zone and Panama City are not included. However, this is just a website and your practice nurse will be able to give you definitive advice and that is the advice you should seek nearer the time, possibly early summer...and keep an eye on any advice/warnings. As for Malaria and any other problems...ask the nurse.

Only your Doctor,or practise nurse can answer this.