Crystal Cruises will require all guests to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 vaccine at least 14 days before their cruise.
Guests will need to provide proof of vaccination before embarkation and must have received both doses of the vaccine if recommended by the manufacturer.
Other health and safety measures include negative Covid-19 tests for passengers and crew, temperature checks before boarding, masks, social distancing, enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures and reduced capacity.
As the deployment of vaccines varies across different markets, the cruise line has further delayed the resumption of operations to allow passengers time to be fully inoculated.
It has paused operations until May for its river fleet, into June for its ocean ships, until August 1 for Crystal Esprit and until August for Crystal Endeavor.
Jack Anderson, Crystal’s interim president and chief executive, said “We know that peace of mind is the greatest luxury; and the vaccine requirement is simply the best way to ensure the safest possible Crystal experience for all on board.
“This sentiment is underscored by conversations with our guests and travel partners and a recent Cruise Critic survey of cruisers that revealed that more than 80% of respondents would cruise if a vaccine were required.”
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Crystal’s crew will be expected to be vaccinated as well when the company resumes sailing, although this may not be a viable option for all crew members given their age or availability of vaccines in their home countries.
Anderson said: “Crew members will be tested for Covid-19 prior to leaving their home location to join the ship and must receive a negative result.
“They also will take a Covid-19 test at embarkation; quarantine for seven days upon arrival; be tested again at the end of that seven-day period and must receive a negative result before beginning their duties.
“When vaccines are widely available, they will be a requirement of employment for crew which must be completed at least 14 days prior to service.”