New Era of Cruising: What You Need to Know Before You Sail in the Age of COVID

An overwhelming majority of medical experts are recommending that people get vaccinated. A vaccine will also help you get into many foreign countries.

The CDC has given cruises a level-3 warning, saying that “people who are not fully vaccinated [should] avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide.”

Maybe you won’t be required to wear a mask when you’re on deck, breathing the salt air; still, you should add some masks to your packing list.

Also read: Buying Travel Insurance During a Pandemic

There are several layers of rules and recommendations for cruising while vaccinated: The CDC recommendations; the rules of any country you may be visiting; and your cruise line’s rules.

The CDC says it’s okay for cruises to sail in U.S. waters if they complete “trial” cruises or meet vaccination thresholds.

In addition, most cruise lines are requiring proof of vaccination for passengers and crew.

If you’re among the vaccinated, the CDC still recommends that you:

• Get tested three to five days after their trip
• Isolate if you have a positive test
• Self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days

This is relatively straightforward, but it takes a sharp turn when shore excursions are factored in. For instance, Viking is only allowing passengers to take Viking-run shore excursions. Even if you’re vaccinated, you can’t explore on your own hook.

If you’re unvaccinated, anticipate a regular testing regimen, including onshore tests before being allowed to go anywhere.

Onboard, unvaccinated travelers should expect to be segregated from vaccinated cruisers in public areas like gyms and dining rooms. There may even be unvaccinated-only shows, or specific times when unvaccinated guests can eat or work out, and all of this may be done on a ticket or wristband basis.

After cruising, the CDC recommends that unvaccinated travelers:

• Get tested three to five days after their trip
• Isolate themselves if they have a positive test
• Self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days
• Self-quarantine for 7 days
• Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days

As mentioned earlier, the cruise experience has changed quite a bit – and arguably for the better. Here are some of the changes you can expect.

Bye-bye buffet

Make no mistake – the all-you-can-eat aspect of many cruise meals has not gone away. What’s departed is the serve-yourself aspect, which is not so bad. Sharing utensils is a health risk, and it’s just swankier when someone else serves you your plate.

Fewer touchpoints

It’s tricky: cruise ships want to give passengers the feel of a personalized, high-touch experience without actually touching them.

In other words, cruise ships are looking for points where they can provide personal service without true face-to-face interaction. For now, this translates into QR codes for accessing restaurant menus and facial-recognition technology being used to ID passengers as they come onboard or leave for excursions.

Increased sanitation

Get used to staff wiping down surfaces like handrails multiple times daily, and disinfecting public areas like lobbies, restaurants, clubs, and gyms on a regular basis.

While the most stringent measures will be reserved for inside spaces, you can look forward to additional attention to sanitation at pools, bars, and other highly frequented outdoor areas.

New equipment

Several cruise lines have installed super air purifiers that can automatically filter out bacteria and viruses in enclosed spaces. This is in addition to backpack-style disinfecting foggers and other enhanced cleaning and sanitizing equipment.

Also read: Why You Still Need Travel Insurance, Even with Flexible Cancellation Policies

For many cruise lines and their passengers, this is the new reality: “If a certain threshold level of COVID-19 is detected onboard the ship during your voyage, the voyage will end immediately, the ship will return to the port of embarkation, and your subsequent travel, including your return home, may be restricted or delayed.”

In other words, your cruise is subject at any time to becoming a boat trip back to the dock. Do not pass go, do not grab an extra piece of cheesecake from the dessert cart.

Learn about Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance

COVID outbreaks at destinations may force itinerary changes – so if you’re expecting a cruise to Dominica, don’t be surprised if you wind up in Anguilla.

This is not an optimal situation, but it could be worse. Because shore excursions are tightly controlled, you may not have been going ashore anyway – and what’s the difference if you don’t go ashore in Anguilla or you don’t go ashore in Dominica?

The rules are different for cruises sailing out of foreign ports. People looking to take Asian, European, Mediterranean, or Polynesian cruises may have to follow different protocols, including proof of vaccination.

Check with your travel advisor and follow the country updates on travel.state.gov for the latest information.

Also read: Countries that Require Travel Insurance

Priced a cruise lately? Expect to pay more. So many people want to cruise, and the rate of ships coming back on line is so slow by comparison, that demand is far outstripping supply.

When that happens anywhere else in a market economy, prices rise. The same thing is happening with cruises.

The one caveat is that if a cruise experiences last-minute cancellations or is not full for some crazy reason, you might be able to score a deal.

As is the case everywhere else in travel, if you have a bag packed and a limited-time special shows up on the interweb, the fates may smile upon you.

Also read: The Ultimate Cruise Packing List

Turns out that in addition to COVID there’s something else to worry about with cruises: hurricanes.

The intensity, frequency, and duration of hurricanes, especially the strongest hurricanes, have all increased in the last few decades. Hurricane season is starting earlier and ending later.

The intensity, frequency, and duration of hurricanes, especially the strongest hurricanes, have all increased in the last few decades.

If you don’t want the threat of a hurricane messing with your cruise, avoid Caribbean cruises from June through December; if you insist on taking a cruise during that time, focus on the southern Caribbean, where statistics show there are fewer severe hurricanes.

Also read: All About Hurricane Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for a cruise was always a good idea. Now the important parts of travel insurance for a cruise are even more important. They include:

COVID Coverage

Travel insurance plans from Generali provide coverage if you, a family member, or a traveling companion become ill with COVID-19 and plan requirements are met. Learn more