Following the COVID-19 pandemic, each cruise line has specified the measures they have put in place to keep their passengers safe.

P&O Cruises

• For the limited series of UK coastal cruises, sailing on Britannia and Iona will be for UK resident COVID-19 vaccinated guests only.
• Proof of vaccination and travel insurance will be required at the terminal and boarding will be denied if evidence cannot be provided. Pre-embarkation COVID-19 tests may be required as part of their framework of protocols and will be complimentary in the price of your holiday.
• It’s mandatory for all UK guests to have comprehensive cruise-specific travel insurance when you sail with P&O Cruises. Your travel insurance documents will be checked at the terminal and must cover the entire duration of your holiday. Unfortunately, you will be denied boarding, at your own expense, if you don’t have appropriate cover.
• The definition of “vaccinated” is a minimum of 7 days after the second dose of the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines being administered. Proof of vaccination/dates given will be required (approved forms of evidence to be confirmed prior to departure) and will need to be shown at the terminal before boarding. Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding at the guest’s own expense.
• All other P&O Cruises holidays on sale do not currently require guests to be vaccinated.

Saga

• Saga requires that all guests must be fully vaccinated against COVID‑19 at least 14 days before sailing with them.
• All guests should be fully inoculated, which means you must have received both doses and waited for full immunity to take effect. Therefore, they will require all of their guests to have received both doses of the vaccine no later than 14 days prior to departure.
• You will be required to bring the vaccination document and/or evidence with you as proof at the time of boarding.
• Guests will be tested for COVID-19 at the port prior to embarking on their ship.
• If you develop COVID-19 symptoms whilst on your cruise and have Saga's included insurance policy, you are covered for medical and repatriation cost. If you have your own insurance with another provider, you will need to check with them for what cover is in place.

Princess Cruises

• Princess Cruises coastal cruises onboard Sky Princess and Regal Princess will only be available to UK guests who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 
• For these cruises, the definition of "vaccinated" is a minimum of seven days following the second dose of the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines being administered.
• Proof of vaccination and the dates given will be required (approved forms of evidence will be confirmed closer to time of departure) and this will be required to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding.
• Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding.
• All guests and crew will be required to follow enhanced health and well-being measures to protect everyone on board on these cruises.
• These protocols include enhanced sanitisation measures, appropriate social distancing and the wearing of masks in certain areas of the ship.
• Crew will also undergo a strict testing and quarantine regime as well as regular testing during their time onboard. 

Fred. Olsen

• Fred. Olsen is awaiting further updates from the government's 'Global Travel Taskforce' before confirming whether all guests who book a coastal cruise with them will need to be fully vaccinated. 
• As they restart sailing, testing will be required for guests and crew prior to joining any of their ships.
• They are currently investigating ways to vaccinate crew and to ensure crew and guests are kept safe they will be conducting regular testing, both prior to them joining their ships and while they are on board with them.
• During our initial ‘Welcome Back’ sailings, they expect masks will need to be worn in areas of the ship where social distancing is not possible e.g. lifts, corridors etc.
• Guests will also need to ensure their policy includes cover for any medical, repatriation and expenses incurred as a result of a Covid diagnosis or illness during their cruise.
• When they resume sailing this summer, they will initially do so with a reduced capacity on each of our ships. This will ensure plenty of space on board to comply with social distancing guidelines.

Cunard

• UK Summer at Sea voyages will be for UK, Covid-19 vaccinated residents only.
• For these voyages, the definition of “vaccinated” is a minimum of seven days following the second dose of the currently approved Covid-19 vaccines being administered. 
• Proof of vaccination and the dates given will be required (approved forms of evidence will be confirmed closer to time of departure) and this will be required to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding. 
• Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding at the guest's own expense.

General Health & Safety initiatives applicable to all cruise lines

Pre-cruise

Before the pandemic, guests would usually complete a health declaration just before they board the ship in the cruise terminal. This will now be sent to you to complete ahead of your trip to help reduce the time spent embarking on your ship. 

In cruise terminals, you’ll be required to wear a mask and adhere to all current guidelines on social distancing. You will also undergo a health screening and test for COVID-19 before boarding. 

If you produce a positive test you will not be allowed to board the ship, but most cruise lines will provide you with future cruise credit that you can use on a future cruise with that cruise line. 

Cleaner ships

Cruise lines have enhanced cleaning measures onboard their ships with more regular cleaning, specialist products that are proven to stop the spread of COVID-19 as well as additional hand-sanitiser stations throughout the ships. Cabins will also be cleaned to the same standard as the rest of the ship. 

Dining onboard

You may be required to book a table in advance to prevent restaurants from having too many guests at any one time. Buffet-style restaurants will still be available but guests will be served at their tables instead. Guests may only be allowed to dine with members of their household or a group they are officially travelling with. 

Entertainment

Entertainment venues may have reduced capacity due to the latest restrictions on social distancing. This will include theatres, shops, spas, gyms, pools, casinos and other activities onboard. You may need to pre-book these also to ensure you don’t miss out. 

Post-cruise

When disembarking your ship at the end of your holiday you may be asked to complete a guest locator form to adhere to the UK government’s Test and Trace initiative.