Although cruises have not yet re-commenced in New Zealand & Australia, they have been up and running safely for some time in other parts of the globe.
Nearly 5 million cruise guests have travelled since the great re-start making us just a tad jealous down under!
A lot of Kiwis are heading overseas again from mid January 2022 once our MIQ requirements are relaxed to home isolation. That also means many Kiwis are also looking to get back to their "Happy Place" at sea with a cruise
With so many cruise deals available it's not surprising that canny Kiwis want to bag a cruise bargain as part of their trip away
As we set out to cruise again we look at what has changed and what You need to prepare to ensure a seamless cruise holiday
First & Foremost if you are not vaccinated against COVID, then in the near future it is unlikely you will be able to cruise at all.
There are a few limited exceptions to these rules, but remember these are also mandated by the individual countries you will visit, not just the cruise line.
PLUS even individual airlines including Air New Zealand require a valid vaccination certificate to travel international, more info here
Download your official Covid vaccination certificate here
Click Here for a list of Covid-19 testing services in New Zealand
Understand the COVID vaccination requirements for your cruise
After waiting all this time to cruise again you don’t want to risk being denied boarding
- It is super important for all cruise guests to understand their individual cruise line’s policies. These typically also reflect the requirements of the countries your ship will be visiting on your cruise.
- For the foreseeable future, most cruise lines require all their crew and their cruise guests to be fully vaccinated. “Fully vaccinated” means different things for different countries.
- There is only one source of truth that matters and that is how your specific cruise line determines ‘Fully vaccinated.’ For most cruise lines, this means you have completed the manufacturer’s recommended regime for one of the WHO-approved vaccines. PLUS you must be two weeks beyond the final dose of that particular vaccine.
- If you obtained your vaccine outside of New Zealand ensure that you have an English translation of your certificate and that the vaccine is on the cruise lines approved list.
- It is important that the vaccine name on the cruise line permitted list matches the exact vaccine name on your certificate.
- All cruise guests should stay up to date with current information right up to travel as in the coming weeks it is possible that a booster may be added as a requirement for cruising.
- Complete your Cruise Line personaliser/check in as soon as you make a booking. This way you will be kept up to date from the cruise line with any important travel requirements applicable to your specific cruise
- Read your cruise contract. We know people often just tick the box, but there is important info in these that you need to understand in this new world we are about to travel in
Photo by Reynier Carl on Unsplash
We have listed below handy links to the Kiwi favourite cruise lines policies.
P&O Australia
As P&O Australia have not yet re-commenced sailing their protocols & policies are still in development with the various health authorities in the countries they will visit
Learn More >>
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises are already sailing around the globe and offer an easy to understand Cruise Health policy
Learn More >>
Carnival Cruises
Carnival Cruises have the majority of their fleet operating from the US with strict policies in place. There is no update yet on when their two Australian ships will re-start but we expect this to include requirements specific to this region when they do.
Learn More >>
Captain Cook Cruises Fiji
As Captain Cook Cruises Fiji only operate domestic cruises in Fiji they follow the Fiji Travel requirements
Learn More >>
Blue Lagoon Cruises
Blue Lagoon cruises only operate domestic cruises in Fiji and follow the Fiji Travel requirements. This link also contains useful information on PCR testing in Fiji,
Learn More
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises operate cruises in Tahiti and have been re-sailing for some time with a robust process and offer an easy to follow guide
Learn More
Ponant
Ponant cruises were one of the first cruise lines to operate under their strict covid guidelines. Although not yet operating in this region they are cruising around the world
Learn More >>
Cunard
Cunard have re-commenced sailing from the UK & Europe and offer an informative Covid-19 hub with all their sailing protocols
Learn More >>
P&O UK
Although mostly for the UK market, Kiwis often book these cruise with us so they can travel with friends & family from the UK. P&O UK offer a comprehensive FAQ around the ever changing UK regulations
Learn More >>
Holland America
Holland America Cruises have re-started in Europe and the Caribbean and offer an easy to follow guide with useful links to other websites
Learn More >>
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises are now operating almost their entire fleet. They offer an easy to follow guide for Covid policies
Learn More >>
Royal Caribbean
One of the original pioneers of new protocols Royal Caribbean have been safely back in service for over a year now
Learn More >>
Silversea
The small luxury ships of Silversea are almost all back in service in Europe and the Caribbean. They are hopeful of a decision locally soon so they can also operate this summer from Australia
Learn More >>
Azamara
As a member of the Healthy Sail Panel, Azamara have three of their fleet back in service with the fourth new ship due back in April
Learn More >>
Norwegian Cruise Lines
NCL offer a comprehensive guide to healthy cruising and were a founding partner in the Healthy Sail Panel
Learn More >>
Oceania Cruises
An easy to read guide for cruise guests to understand safety on board and ashore on Oceania Cruises
Learn More >>
Regent Seven Seas
An easy to follow guide for Luxury cruise guests and a quick video on how SailSafe protocols work
Learn More >>
MSC
One of the first cruise lines to return to service, MSC pioneered the Cruise Bubble with a comprehensive set of health & safety protocols
Learn More >>
Crystal Cruises
With their Luxury Ocean and Expedition ships now back in service, Crystal have a proven & robust policy
Learn More >>
Dream Cruises
The pioneers in our region, re-starting cruises in Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong. Dream Cruises have now been back in service for over a year. Healthy cruising guides applicable to the destination you are visiting
Learn more >>
Costa Cruises
Safety onboard and Ashore, an easy to follow guide for the Costa Fleet
Learn More >>
Windstar
A handy know before you go guide and vaccine requirements update
Learn More >>
Seabourn
Handy guides for the destinations where Seabourn has re-started cruising
Learn More >>
SeaDream Yacht Club
Health & Safety protocols in place for the two SeaDream yachts
Learn More >>
Scenic Luxury Cruises
With Scenic Eclipse back in service and River Cruises having also operated in some countries, Scenic offer an updated Covid info guide
Learn More >>
Viking Cruises
Viking offer a comprehensive guide to health & Safety including handy links to Covid-19 testing locations in Australia & New Zealand
Learn More >>
Our Cruise Deals team are happy to help you with any questions you may have. We will ensure you receive timely updates from your cruise line relating to your booking and the countries you are visiting
Thanks for the use of the Photo in the header by Nick Fewings on Unsplash