Sister lines P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises have updated their vaccination policies from late September meaning those aged under 18 can be tested rather than double-vaccinated to board.
For all P&O sailings departing from September 25 to December 31, 2021, all guests aged 18 and over will be required to have completed their vaccination course a minimum of 14 days before sailing.
All guests 17 years old and below will need to have either completed their vaccination course at least 14 days before sailing or provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to travel.
All guests will also require a negative Covid-19 test at the terminal.
P&O’s vaccination policy for UK coastal cruises up until September 24 is that all guests of all ages must have completed their vaccination course a minimum of seven days prior to sailing, or 14 days prior to sailing if an approved single dose vaccine.
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Princess Cruises provided a similar update.
For all Princess departures from Southampton between September 30 and November 3, 2021 on Regal Princess and from October 5 to November 5, 2021 on Sky Princess, all guests 18 years old and over will be required to have completed their vaccination course a minimum of 14 days prior to sailing.
All guests 17 years and under can either complete their vaccination course at least 14 days prior to sailing or provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to travel.
All guests will also require a negative Covid-19 test at the terminal.
The PCR and Covid-19 tests at the terminal will both be provided free by both lines.
Vaccination and testing policies will be reviewed on a regular basis as the global situation continues to evolve, the lines added.
Princess’ vaccination policy for UK summer ‘Seacation’ departures on Regal Princess from July 31 through to September 23, 2021 and on Sky Princess from August 30 through to September 28, 2021; remains that all guests travelling, of all ages, must have completed their vaccination course a minimum of seven days prior to sailing, or 14 days prior to sailing if an approved single dose vaccine.
The Carnival UK lines added that ports of call may stipulate specific vaccine policies for guests going ashore that differ from this policy.