Celebrity Cruises just announced new protocols for guests sailing this summer that include changes to the rules for masks, vaccines, and shore excursions.
These protocols apply to summer cruises from St. Maarten and Athens, Greece.
During a webinar with travel agents, Celebrity Cruises Senior Vice President Sales and Trade Support & Service, Dondra Ritzenthaler announced a range of new protocols for guests sailing on Celebrity this summer.
The guidelines are an introduction to the new protocols guests can expect once they set sail on Celebrity Millennium in a few weeks, as well as Celebrity Apex from Greece.
Here are the main health protocols announced:
- Guests 16 and over must be vaccinated. Previously, the rule was 18 years of age or older
- Fully vaccinated passengers can book third-party shore excursions and are not limited to just cruise tours. if The port allows it.
- Celebrities advise the guests on board whether they can drive alone or not and / or have to wear a mask in the harbor
- On board the ship, fully vaccinated passengers do not have to wear masks inside or outside and keep a safe distance from other passengers.
- Back-to-back trips are permitted for fully vaccinated guests
- Vaccinated cruisers on these sails will do another antigen test before the second leg
- Unvaccinated cruisers must perform a second PCR test
The change in mask rules is arguably the biggest change in policy, although those who are not vaccinated will still have to wear masks. However, Ms. Ritzenthaler said that you do not have to wear a mask at dinner or outdoors.
“The mask requirements have been relaxed,” said Ms. Ritzenthaler excitedly. “Fully vaccinated guests, masks are not needed both indoors and outdoors unless they are in a large crowd.”
Ms. Ritzenthaler said what makes a large amount is currently in the jurisdiction of the cruise line.
For guests under the age of 15, they would have to wear masks in some situations, but not the entire cruise either. “If you are not vaccinated and cannot be vaccinated when you are 15 and younger then you must wear a mask when you go from your room to the restaurant.”
“But you don’t have to wear it when you’re sitting, and you don’t have to wear it when you’re outside.”
Celebrity is also offering guests returning to the US a Covid-19 test to help them re-enter the country. This is a guideline Royal Caribbean said they would offer.
These new protocols are more of a preview of any health and safety protocols to be released soon that may also come with a restart of cruises from the US.
Celebrity Cruises is Royal Caribbean’s sister company, and it is possible (but Not Confirmed) Royal Caribbean may have the same protocols.
Royal Caribbean has not released its own minutes, although a similar webinar with travel agents is planned for Wednesday.
Royal Caribbean confirmed this last week Masks are not required on the private island Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Celebrity Millennium will be the Royal Caribbean Group’s first ship to resume cruises from the Caribbean on June 5th. Adventure of the Seas will follow next week on June 12th.
The new protocols follow similar mask and Covid-19 restrictions that are being relaxed in the United States, with more and more Americans being vaccinated.
Royal Caribbean’s ships will have a reduced capacity (around 50% initially) with fully vaccinated adults on board.
