As the day draws closer for the arrival of P&O Pacific Explorer in to Auckland, we have an update on the health protocols for the upcoming NZ season
Please take not as there are different regulations depending on where your cruise will visit on your itinerary
New Zealand Health Protocols Update - For Pacific Explorer NZ Season
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
- While COVID-19 vaccinations are not a requirement to cruise out of New Zealand (excluding selected itineraries where COVID-19 vaccination is required), it is recommended that guests are ‘up-to-date’ with their COVID-19 vaccination. This means the primary dose of a COVID-19 vaccination and any available boosters where eligible.
When departing from New Zealand, for cruises visiting the following destinations, guests aged 12 years and older must be fully vaccinated (had a primary course) for COVID-19:
- Australia
- Norfolk Island
Guests with a valid medical exemption must be approved to cruise, and no more than 5% of guests over 12 years of age can travel while not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (those with medical exemptions). Prior infection with COVID-19 is not grounds for a medical exemption.
For these itineraries, all guests aged 12 years and older will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated prior to embarking.
COVID-19 Testing
For cruises departing New Zealand and visiting the following destinations, guests aged 5 years and older must undertake a PCR test (inside 48 hours to departure) or a RAT (inside 24 hours to departure) and declare a negative result:
- Australia
- Norfolk Island
For all other cruises departing from New Zealand, a pre-cruise COVID-19 test is not required (except for guests displaying symptoms at the cruise terminal), however we strongly recommend guests take a test if they believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 or are displaying symptoms in the lead up to their cruise. Guests who display symptoms while checking in for their cruise will be required to undergo a self-administered Rapid Antigen Test and receive a negative result to be able to embark their cruise.
Pre-Cruise Health Screening
For cruises visiting Australia or Norfolk Island:
All guests will need to complete a pre-cruise health declaration to confirm they are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms and have not tested positive to COVID-19 in the 5 days prior to their cruise.
Any guest who has tested positive in the 5 days prior to their cruise will not be able to cruise, and should contact us as soon as possible to cancel their booking. Guests will receive a Future Cruise Credit as outlined in COVID-19 Assurance policy.
Guests who tested positive 6 days or more, but are still experiencing symptoms will need to receive a negative result on a self-administered Rapid Antigen Test on day of embarkation.
For all other cruises departing New Zealand:
Guests who test positive in the 7 days prior to boarding will not be permitted to travel and should contact us to cancel their booking. FCCs will be provided as part of our COVID-19 Assurance policy
Guests should notify check-in staff if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, and they will be required to undergo a self-administered Rapid Antigen Test and receive a negative result to board.
Onboard Isolation
Any guest who tests positive to COVID-19 onboard will be required to isolate for a minimum of 7 days. After 7 days, guests can leave isolation if symptoms have resolved. If their cruise ends before they complete the required isolation period, guests are responsible for complying with the domestic self-isolation requirements while in New Zealand. If they cannot return home to complete their isolation they need to arrange their own accommodation to complete this.
Travel insurance:
Remember for most Pacific Island destinations you must show a Travel Insurance policy that includes cover for COVID-19, which you may be required to show on embarkation. Now is a great time to check your Travel Insurance policy is valid and if not, talk to our team today who can provide costs for an Allianz policy which does include this important cover
Close contacts of COVID-19 positive cases onboard are not required to isolate, however will need to complete daily RAT COVID tests for 5 days.
If you have any questions relating to your upcoming P&O Pacific Explorer cruise from Auckland, please do not hesitate to talk to our team
Freephone: 0800 99 44 88
