avalon river cruise vaccine requirements

Experience a world beyond your expectations. Choose from our award-winning vacations on virtually every continent with local favorites and off-the-beaten-path experiences only Globus can share.

We know why you travel. You’d rather have an extra day exploring than a fancy chocolate on your pillow at night. Enjoy hand-selected inclusions and world-class experiences for value-minded travel lovers like you.

Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities.

Explore Confidently

Do I need a COVID vaccine to cruise? A line-by-line guide

When the first cruises allowing Americans restarted in spring 2021, all major lines were sailing with at least 90% of passengers vaccinated against COVID-19. That meant they required just about everyone on board to have their shots, with only a few exceptions allowed for young children and people who can't be vaccinated due to medical conditions or religious beliefs.

Since then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has withdrawn its opt-in guidance for cruise lines, and most are now allowing unvaccinated passengers to sail. In fact, most aren't even checking to see if cruisers are vaccinated or not.

However, with cases picking up seasonally and new booster vaccines rolling out, will you need a vaccine to cruise? Click on your favorite cruise line above, under "Jump to Section," to find out.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's new cruise newsletter .

Note: In order to be considered "fully vaccinated," passengers must have received their final shot (not including boosters) at least 15 days prior to embarkation. Most lines only accept vaccines (or a combination of vaccines) recognized and approved by the World Health Organization and the CDC. Generally, proof of inoculation must include your name, the type of vaccine you received and the dates on which you received all required doses.

Booster shots are not required unless specifically noted. However, keep in mind that the rules may vary by country, with some lines requiring boosters for international departures due to local regulations or for extra-long sailings like ocean crossings when port calls are few or nonexistent. Passengers who have their boosters are considered "up to date" rather than merely "fully vaccinated."

For general information on testing, please refer to our article on cruise testing requirements .

AmaWaterways

Vaccine required no.

AmaWaterways no longer requires proof of vaccination for passengers. However, cruisers are responsible for meeting the requirements of the countries in which they'll be traveling. If they do not, standard cancellation fees will apply. Pre-cruise testing is not required. Should passengers become ill during their cruise, AmaWaterways will assist in procuring testing and other medical services, which will be the financial responsibility of those guests.

American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines does not have a vaccine requirement for all passengers on any of its sailings. Pre-cruise testing is no longer required.

American Queen Voyages

Vaccines are not required to sail with American Queen Voyages , and pre-cruise testing is no longer required.

Related: What happens if someone tests positive for COVID-19 on your cruise

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Vaccination is not mandatory for Atlas cruises, but passengers must comply with regulations in countries on their scheduled itinerary, which could require that they be up to date on their shots. Additionally, pre-cruise testing is no longer a requirement.

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways no longer requires proof of vaccination or a negative test prior to passenger boarding. However, mandatory testing and proof of vaccination could still be required in some countries the line visits.

Azamara recommends that passengers follow local regulations and the latest guidance from government health organizations when determining which vaccines to obtain prior to travel. The line also does not require negative test results in order to board unless mandated by local governments in the ports where the line's ships sail.

Carnival Cruise Line

Neither vaccines nor pre-cruise testing is required for Carnival sailings. However, the line recommends that anyone 5 years or older be up to date on their shots and carry proof. It also suggests that cruisers test themselves no further than three days from their sailing date to make sure they're in good health.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity does not mandate vaccination or testing for any passenger on any sailing unless required by regulations in the ports its ships are visiting.

Related: Cruise ship contact tracing: How the world's major lines are tracking COVID-19 exposure

Celestyal Cruises

Celestyal continues to require all crew members to be fully vaccinated, but passengers don't have to be. The line recommends anyone 12 and older be up to date on their inoculations. Testing is also no longer necessary in order to board Celestyal ships.

Cunard Line

Although Cunard suggests that travelers be fully vaccinated and current with their boosters, proof of immunization is not required, nor is pre-cruise testing for any of the line's sailing unless required by law.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line encourages — but does not require — all passengers to be fully vaccinated before sailing. It also recommends pre-cruise testing, no more than two days prior to embarkation, for anyone who doesn't have their shots.

Emerald Cruises

Emerald Cruises suggests that all passengers be vaccinated, but it no longer checks for proof. Pre-cruise testing is also no longer required, but the line advises travelers to check local regulations in the places they'll be visiting.

Grand Circle Cruise Line

Vaccine required yes.

Grand Circle has mandated that all passengers must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to embarkation as a condition of carriage, and proof must be provided before boarding. Passengers who are not fully vaccinated will have to return home at their own expense. Boosters are not mandatory. Pre-cruise testing might be required, depending on your port of embarkation. (The line will send you that information prior to your sailing.)

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Hapag-Lloyd does not require vaccinations or pre-cruise testing as a condition of sailing. However, the line recommends both to passengers as precautions. It also advises that cruisers are responsible for knowing and adhering to all local guidelines and regulations.

Holland America

Holland America now allows unvaccinated passengers to sail and does not make pre-cruise testing compulsory unless either of these is required by local regulations in the areas its vessels sail. Booked cruisers can search for requirements specific to their individual sailings by using this tool .

Hurtigruten

Vaccine required sometimes.

On expedition cruises with Hurtigruten , passengers are not required to show proof of vaccination, except on 2023 and 2024 voyages to Antarctica and the Northwest Passage or West Africa sailings departing from and returning to Dakar. Immunization is also not necessary for the line's non-expedition itineraries, but it is recommended for both coastal voyages and expedition cruises. Neither type of cruise requires negative test results as a condition of embarkation. Passengers with reservations can check specific protocols for their specific bookings using this tool .

Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad passengers no longer need to provide proof of vaccination in order to cruise, and pre-cruise testing is no longer required, including at embarkation. Exceptions might apply for departures from certain destinations. The line urges passengers to follow government recommendations for masking, testing and vaccination.

Related: Why I feel safer now on a cruise ship than in my hometown

MSC Cruises

Vaccination and testing are no longer terms of carriage when sailing with MSC Cruises . The line still recommends that passengers receive their shots and notes that it's each passenger's responsibility to comply with local regulations in the places their sailing visits.

Norwegian Cruise Line

In early August 2022, Norwegian Cruise Line became the first major cruise line to roll back its vaccination requirements. Proof of immunization is no longer required, nor is testing in order to board for any voyage.

Oceania Cruises

Upscale cruise line Oceania does not check vaccination records for passengers, nor does it require pre-cruise testing for its sailings.

P&O Cruises

There are no vaccination or testing mandates in place for any of P&O Cruises ' voyages.

Ponant 's website simply reads, "when you visit certain destinations, vaccines can be recommended," but they are not required by the line. Ponant also says it will alert passengers to their specific requirements after they have booked a voyage. Testing is also not needed in order to board.

Princess Cruises

Following an industry-wide rollback of protocols, Princess passengers no longer have to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine, nor proof of a negative test result, unless either is required by local regulations. Passengers are responsible for knowing the requirements for the places their ships will visit.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent doesn't check the vaccination status of any of its passengers unless required by local protocols. Testing requirements vary by location and might depend on whether or not you are up to date on your shots. If vaccination or testing is required, the line will alert cruisers approximately 30 days prior to their sailing date.

Royal Caribbean

To board Royal Caribbean ships, you don't have to be vaccinated or provide test results. However, the line advises staying up to date on inoculations and following guidelines issued by federal health authorities.

Saga has rolled back its vaccination and testing requirements, which is significant, given that the line only allows passengers 50 and older to sail on its vessels. They will only be required if local authorities dictate them.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Passengers embarking on river and ocean voyages with Scenic will not need to be fully immunized prior to sailing. Testing is not required by the line but might be needed to enter the country in which you're embarking on your sailing. Passengers are responsible for meeting entry requirements.

For cruises with luxury line Seabourn , there are no line-enforced regulations for vaccination or testing unless required by local authorities in the countries on which its vessels call. To see if your booked sailing requires either of these, check out the line's search tool .

Luxury brand Silversea does not require shots for its passengers or pre-cruise tests unless they're needed to meet local regulations.

Star Clippers

Star Clippers has eliminated all vaccine checks and testing protocols for all passengers on all voyages.

For all voyages through 2023, Tauck requires passengers 12 and older to be fully vaccinated and have at least one booster dose and/or show proof of recovery from COVID-19. Passengers 11 years old and younger are not required to be fully vaccinated. If they aren't fully vaccinated or don't have a booster, they must provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen test result from a test taken no more than three days prior to embarkation. For sailings in 2024, vaccination and testing requirements will be waived for all passengers.

UnCruise Adventures

All UnCruise passengers are exempt from vaccine and testing requirements. The line will continue to monitor the effects of new variants, as well as CDC recommendations and will adjust its policies accordingly.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

Testing requirements are determined by the countries the ships visit, but the line itself has no vaccine or testing mandates of its own. You can check the protocols for the places on your itinerary for the most up-to-date information by visiting the protocols page on Uniworld's website .

All Viking passengers, whether on a river sailing or an ocean voyage, must be fully vaccinated for sailings departing on or before Oct. 31, 2023. It will not be required for cruisers embarking on or after Nov. 1, 2023. Testing is no longer required unless passengers are exhibiting symptoms and seek medical assistance.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages will not check proof of immunization or a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar no longer mandates shots for passengers of any age. Testing is not required by the line but might be necessary based on local regulations, which with passengers must comply.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

Avalon Waterways alters health protocols to include guest vaccinations

River cruise line avalon waterways revealed the line will require its guests to have proof of covid-19 vaccination or a negative covid-19 test result or proof of recovery..

These new protocols will take effect in April 2021.

“We have continued to enhance on-trip safety standards throughout the pandemic to ensure we’re ready to welcome guests back to travel when the world is ready,” said Gai Tyrrell, Managing Director Australasia of Globus family of brands.

“Today, we’re unveiling new pre-trip requirements.”

Travellers are now required to offer Globus family of brands’ personnel one of the following printed and/or digital verifications upon arrival:

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days prior to travel
• Proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72-hours of travel
• Proof of recovery from a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis within three months of travel

Without one of these verifications, travellers will not be able to join a planned holiday with Globus, Cosmos, Avalon Waterways or Monograms. These requirements are in addition to any federal or state government regulations.

In addition to unveiling new COVID-19 parameters required at the start of each holiday departure, the Globus family of brands announced that they will facilitate – and cover – additional COVID-19 testing, if required, for guests to return to their home country, as well as tests on trip if guests show symptoms.

Related Posts

Find out all you need to know from our professional Cruise Passenger team

Man with $9,000 casino loss goes overboard from cruise ship

Princess’ 2026 Europe season will have five ships sailing

Shock as Princess opts to homeport only two ships in Australia and axes scores of cruises

No kids or casinos – but lions allowed on a Viking safari

We sailed Alaska for our golden anniversary – and it was horrible!

Australia waves goodbye to the Grand Princess…for now

Ponant sends Le Jacques Cartier to French Polynesia in 2026

Crew from Pacific Encounter rescue sailors

Body found after man went overboard from Pacific Adventure

Veteran cruisers left behind after arriving 10 minutes late for ship

‘Only two specialty dinners on my 113 day Princess world cruise – is that fair?’

Younger, happier and spending more – the new Australian cruiser

Cruise&Travel magazine is Australia’s No.1 publication for travel enthusiasts.

There are four issues per year, with each issue is packed full of must-read features, including cruise news, reviews, destination guides and the most enticing itineraries.

• Tips & Advice
• &Travel
• Cruise Planner
• Privacy Policy

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing

A guide to every major cruise line's health requirements for safe sailing.

Cruise lines have shifted their requirements for passengers, making cruising accessible to practically everyone. Many popular cruise lines have eliminated the vaccine and pre-embarkation test as the industry is beginning to shift away from mandatory vaccines and testing.

The changes began shortly after the CDC ended a pandemic-era policy of publicly displaying COVID-19 cases onboard, different cruise lines to the public in July 2022. For those looking to check current COVID-19 trends onboard the CDC urges direct contact with the cruise line, and the organization will continue to monitor and offer guidelines to ships.

Below, we break down each line's list of regulations to sail as well as what travelers need to know to plan.

American Queen Voyages

Where they sail:

American Queen Voyages is known for its Mississippi River cruises as well as sailings down other U.S. rivers like the Columbia and Snake rivers, using classic paddle wheeler ships for a throwback, romantic vibe.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew must be fully vaccinated (14 days after their final shot).

What other safety measures are in place: Luggage is then disinfected before being brought onto the ship and staterooms cleaned with electrostatic fogging.

Find out more : American Queen Voyages

Avalon Waterways

Where they sail: These small-ship river cruises sail throughout Europe, Asia, South America, and down the Nile River in Egypt.

Who needs the vaccine: All international travelers from the U.S. must be fully vaccinated before boarding. Beginning March 2023 the vaccine is no longer required (but strongly encouraged).

What other safety measures are in place: All guests will undergo a health screening upon arrival and luggage will be disinfected. Avalon will provide COVID-19 testing for travelers who need to show proof of a negative test to return home at no extra cost. Depending on the location of the cruise a pre-departure COVID-19 test may or may not be required.

Find out more: Avalon Waterways

Where they sail : Azamara sails mid-size ships all over the world, to all seven continents.

Who needs the vaccine : All guests and crew 12 and older will be required to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before boarding a ship. Beginning Dec. 1, 2022, the company plans to drop the vaccine requirement for departures from the U.S. and Europe.

What other safety measures are in place : Depending on the port of embarkation guests may or may not to pre-test to travel. For a full list of ports and whether they require a test guests can check online .

Azamara's ships have been upgraded with new HVAC filtration systems, and EPA-certified disinfectants are used to clean the ship.

Find out more : Azamara

Carnival Cruises

Where they sail: Carnival sails large ships around the world, including popular trips to the Caribbean. The company sailed its maiden voyage on the Mardi Gras out of Florida in July.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are encouraged to be vaccinated but unvaccinated travelers, or vaccinated guests without proof of vaccination, will have to present the negative results of a PCR or antigen test taken no earlier than 3 days before sailing.

What other safety measures are in place: For cruises five days or less, there will no longer be pre-cruise testing for vaccinated passengers unless a specific port requires it. Itineraries including Bahamas, Bermuda, or Grand Cayman will still be required to test. All guests will also be required to fill out a health screening 72 hours before embarkation and undergo health screenings prior to boarding. Unvaccinated travelers on a cruise to Bermuda will be required to purchase travel insurance (children under 12 are exempt as long as they are traveling with vaccinated parents).

Both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests who have recovered from COVID-19 within three months of their sailing date, do not need the required pre-cruise COVID test before embarkation, only if they are at least 10 days past their COVID-19 infection, have no symptoms and present documentation of recovery from COVID-19 from their healthcare provider.

Find out more: Carnival Cruise Line

Celebrity Cruises

Where they sail: Celebrity Cruises sails all over the world.

Who needs the vaccine: The vaccine is no longer required to sail on cruises from the U.S. and Europe. A vaccine is required for sailings visiting Canada.

What other safety measures are in place: A pre-embarkation test is no longer required for vaccinated guests on sailings nine days or less. Unvaccinated passengers will still be required to test three days prior to sailing. Self-tests are acceptable from European and U.S. ports that don't stop in Bermuda or Canada.

Find out more : Celebrity Cruises

Where they sail: Cunard, which sails all over the world, is known for its transatlantic journeys aboard the Queen Mary 2.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests 18 and older must be fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated passengers under 18 will be required to undergo a PCR test within 72 hours of their departure.

What other safety measures are in place: Cunard has "enhanced" their onboard ventilation systems and implemented mandatory mask-wearing policies indoors. All guests aged 4 and older are required to have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding. Crew will be tested regularly while on board. Guests who have certain pre-existing medical conditions, including those who are on supplementary oxygen, will not be allowed to board.

Find out more: Cunard

Disney Cruise Line

Where they sail: Disney sails family-friendly journeys including to the Caribbean, Europe, and Alaska.

Who needs the vaccine: Vaccination is no longer required by highly suggested.

What other safety measures are in place: Unvaccinated guests must provide results of a COVID-19 test taken 1 to 2 days before sail date, at home tests are not accepted, this requirement will end Nov. 14. The Cruise line also has a full list of enhanced cleaning protocols.

Find out more: Disney Cruise Line

Grand Circle Cruise Line

Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot.

What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air (HEPA) filters and buffets have been eliminated. The cruise line states some itineraries will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel , and that instructors will be sent out 30 days prior to travel.

Find out mor e: Grand Circle Cruise Line

Holland America

Where they sail: Holland America sails large ships all over the world, including to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Europe, and more.

Who needs the vaccine: Unvaccinated guests are welcome but will be required to self-test three days before cruising.

What other safety measures are in place: Vaccinated passengers traveling on ships for less than 16 days excluding itineraries with the Panama Canal, trans-ocean, and other selected itineraries will no longer be required to test.

Find out more: Holland America

Lindblad Expeditions

Where they sail: Lindblad Expeditions is known for its adventurous trips to hard-to-reach destinations like Antarctica and the Russian Far East, partnering with National Geographic to add to the experience.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests 12 and older need to be vaccinated before boarding. Boosters are recommended but not required.

What other safety measures are in place: Pre-departure testing will not be required unless for a specific destination.

Find out more : Lindblad Expeditions

Margaritaville at Sea

Where they sail: Margaritaville at Sea offers 3-day cruises to Grand Bahama Island departing from the port of Palm Beach. The cruise line also offers the opportunity to take the ship one way to the Bahamas to allow guests to stay at the Margaritaville resort, and then take the ship back to the Bahamas at a later date.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are welcome regardless of vaccination status, according to the cruise line.

What other safety measures are in place: All crew members must be vaccinated for COVID-19 and the cruise line states there are vaccination requirements on board (but does not specify).

Find out more: Margaritaville at Sea

MSC Cruises

Where they sail: MSC Cruises sails large ocean cruises around the world, including throughout Europe, South America, the Persian Gulf, and the Caribbean. In August, the company started sailing to the Bahamas with a stop at its private island, Ocean Cay.

Who needs the vaccine: Vaccinations are recommended but no longer required.

What other safety measures are in place: Fully-vaccinated passengers are no longer required to show proof of a negative test unless it is required of the destination. Unvaccinated children must show proof of a negative PCR test.

Find out more: MSC Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line

Where they sail: Norwegian sails big ocean cruises all around the world, including popular itineraries all throughout the Caribbean and Greece.

Who needs the vaccine: All passengers may sail regardless of vaccination status.

What other safety measures are in place: Testing is no longer required for any passenger regardless of vaccination status with the exception of local government mandates.

Find out more : Norwegian Cruise Line

Oceania Cruises

Where they sail: Oceania Cruises sails all over the world, including offering several World Cruise itineraries.

Who needs the vaccine: All passengers regardless of vaccination status are allowed to sail.

What other safety measures are in place: Only unvaccinated guests will be required to show proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken 72 hours prior to boarding. Unvaccinated children aged 12 years and younger are exempt.

Find out more : Oceania Cruises

P&O Cruises

Where they sail: The UK-based cruise line sails around Europe, including to the Canary Islands, as well as to the Caribbean from Southampton in the UK.

Who needs the vaccine: Although P&O Cruises' policy states that passengers over the age of 15 are required to be vaccinated, the latest update on its website says guests will be contacted directly in regards to vaccination protocol.

What other safety measures are in place: All guests are required to undergo a COVID-19 test at the terminal. Masks will be required on board indoors, and all shore excursions will be with vetted operators.

Find out more : P&O Cruises

Princess Cruises

Where they sail: The global cruise line sails large ocean ships all around the world, from Australia to Alaska.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are welcome on board, but unvaccinated passengers will be required to test and may need an additional medical exemption at some ports.

Find out more : Princess Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Where they sail: Regent Seven Seas offers all-inclusive luxury cruises around the globe, which include perks like free airfare, free excursions, and complimentary unlimited drinks on board.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are now welcome. Unvaccinated passengers will be required to test 3-days before embarkation.

What other safety measures are in place: Pre-departure testing may not be necessary depending on the port. Currently cruises leaving from Bermuda, Canada, and Greece will require a test.

Find out more : Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Royal Caribbean International

Where they sail: Royal Caribbean sails large ocean ships all over the world, including many popular itineraries throughout the Caribbean and Asia.

Who needs the vaccine: Everyone is welcome regardless of vaccination status, passengers traveling to Bermuda or Canada are required to be vaccinated.

W hat other safety measures are in place: On Royal Caribbean, unvaccinated travelers 12 and older leaving from a U.S. or Caribbean port still have to get tested within three days of embarkation,  according to the cruise line , vaccinated guests are exempt.

Royal Caribbean will accept a variety of tests as proof to board, including simply taking a photo of a self-administered home test.

Find out more : Royal Caribbean International

Where they sail: The British cruise line, exclusively for guests 50 and older, sails both ocean and river cruises around the globe.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests must be fully vaccinated, including a booster shot at least 14 days before boarding a ship. Saga was the first major cruise line to implement this vaccination policy.

What other safety measures are in place: Ocean Cruise guests will be required to get tested for COVID-19 in the terminal. Masks are required on bus transfers, in hotels, and on excursions.

Find out more : Saga

Where they sail: Seabourn's mid-size luxury cruises head all around the world, from Alaska to the Caribbean.

Who needs the vaccine: Vaccinations are not required on most cruise itineraries, unvaccinated guests will be required to present a negative test taken within three days of embarkation.

What other safety measures are in place: Masks are recommended onboard in most indoor venues and the casinos are frequently sanitized.

Find out more : Seabourn

Where they sail: Silversea brings guests all around the world in luxury and style , including to the Galapagos and Antarctica .

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are welcome, however, unvaccinated guests may not be welcome on all sailings depending on local regulations.

What other safety measures are in place: Vaccinated guests do not need a pre-departure test unless local regulations such as cruises leaving from Australia, Bermuda, Canada, or Greece require it. Unvaccinated travelers will need a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of embarkation.

Find out more : Silversea

UnCruise Adventures

Where they sail: This small-ship company is known for its Alaska journeys as well as adventures in places like the Galapagos and island hopping in Hawaii.

Who needs the vaccine: As of April 7, all guests are welcome on board regardless of vaccination status.

What other safety measures are in place: Guests will no longer be required to present proof of vaccination or a COVID-19 test prior to, or during any point of sailing and the cruise line will no longer be running at limited capacity. These measures go into effect on April 7, until then guests 12 and older must provide proof of vaccination, and itineraries may sail at less then full capacity.

Masks are required in public spaces, according to the company "bandana" and "buff" face masks will not be accepted.

Find out more : UnCruise Adventures

Victory Cruise Lines

Where they sail: Victory Cruise Lines is known for its Great Lakes cruises, providing all-inclusive sailings to see breathtaking sights from Niagara Falls to the iconic architecture of Chicago from Lake Michigan. Beyond the U.S., Victory Cruise Lines sails to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew will be required to be vaccinated before boarding, and will be required to show physical proof prior to boarding.

What other safety measures are in place: Testing is no longer required on any river cruise.

Luggage is then disinfected before being brought onto the ship and staterooms cleaned with electrostatic fogging. Masks will be required during the embarkation process and while riding a shore excursion bus, but will not be required on board.

Find out more : Victory Cruise Lines

Viking Cruises

Where they sail: Viking sails ocean and river cruises all over the world, including throughout Europe. This summer, Viking will sail several voyages, including around England for UK residents, to Bermuda, and to Iceland in June.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests must be fully vaccinated to board a ship. Guests who are eligible must have a booster.

What other safety measures are in place: In addition to vaccines, all guests may be required to undergo a saliva PCR test at embarkation as well as "frequent" testing throughout the journey. All staterooms are equipped with independent air handling units.

Find out more : Viking Cruises

Virgin Voyages

Where they sail: The brand-new cruise line is launching mini sailings from England for UK residents, and has cruises throughout the Caribbean, and transatlantic options.

Who needs the vaccine: All are welcome regardless of vaccination status, the cruise line removed all vaccine and testing requirements for all its ships in late October,  according to the company .

What other safety measures are in place: Virgin Voyages was the first cruise line to eliminate pre-departure testing for vaccinated guests. The cruise line will continue to work with an advisory board to help ensure health and safety on board at all times, including the use of air filtration systems and sanitization of high touch surface areas.

Find out more : Virgin Voyages

Windstar Cruises

Where they sail: Windstar operates small-ship cruises and several sailing vessels all around the globe, including to places like Central America .

Who needs the vaccine: All guests will be required to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before boarding one of Windstar's yachts. Boosters are highly encouraged and are recommended to be administered at least one week prior to travel.

What other safety measures are in place: Guests no longer need a pre-embarkation test unless a specific destination requires it.

Find out more : Windstar Cruises

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

Related Articles

Avalon Extends Vaccine Requirement

This week, the Globus family of brands – consisting of  Globus, Cosmos, Avalon Waterways  and  Monograms  – announced that it will extend its pre-trip  Health & Safety Protocols , including requiring proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to join any vacation in its portfolio, for travel through March 2022.

“The health and safety of our travelers is our No. 1 priority,” said Scott Nisbet, CEO of the Globus family of brands. “As part of the Globus family of brands’ commitment to ensuring sustainable, responsible travel across the globe, we are extending our requirement for travelers to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination into 2022. By making this announcement now, we’re giving our guests time to plan accordingly, with the assurance to travel more freely in each destination. Our previous decision to require proof of vaccination for 2021 travel was very well-received.”

Moving forward, the Globus family of brands will advise all travelers of vaccine implications or changes with advance notice. For the current policy – in place through March 2022 – all Globus, Cosmos, Avalon Waterways and Monograms travelers need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, completed at least 14-days prior to embarkation.

The Globus family of brands accepts vaccines authorized or approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), European Centre for Disease Prevention (ECDC) or an official government body.

ABOUT GLOBUS FAMILY OF BRANDS Littleton, Colorado-based Group Voyagers, Inc. is the privately held company that markets and sells the Globus family of brands within the United States.  Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways offer travelers unparalleled tour, independent travel package, river- and small-ship cruise options.  Considered the world’s largest tour operator, with 90 years of international travel experience, the Globus family of brands is dedicated to enriching the lives of travelers by turning foreign destinations into familiar harbors, where the expense of travel is forgotten and replaced by personal value. The Globus family of brands is a proud supporter of The Ocean Cleanup.  For more information, please visit  www.globusfamily.com ; Travel advisors can visit  www.globusfamilypartner.com .

Learn more about avalon waterways.

E-gate outage: Is UK ready for EU’s entry and exit launch?

BA flight attendant taken off duty after boozy altercation

Passenger attempts suicide on Bangkok-London flight

Ship crew member arrested after stabbing attack

Report: Viking Sky outage could have been ‘one of the worst disasters at sea’

Spain hits Booking.com with record €530 million fine

Our emails to you has bounced travelmole.com Or You can change your email from your profile Setting Section

Your region selection will be saved in your cookie for future visits. Please enable your cookie for TravelMole.com so this dialog box will not come up again.

Price Based Country test mode enabled for testing United States (US). You should do tests on private browsing mode. Browse in private with Firefox , Chrome and Safari

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/

• UK | Europe Region
• U.S | Americas Region
• Asia | pacific Region

You will be requested to do this only once, unless you do not allow cookies, in which case, please whitelist TravelMole.com for cookies on your desktop browsers or mobile/cell browsers

Your region selection will be saved in your cookie for future visits.

Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

Subscribe/Login to Travel Mole Newsletter

Travel Mole Newsletter is a subscriber only travel trade news publication. If you are receiving this message, simply enter your email address to sign in or register if you are not. In order to display the B2B travel content that meets your business needs, we need to know who are and what are your business needs. ITR is free to our subscribers.

• Tour Operators
• Destinations
• Hotels & Resorts
• Agent Feedback
• Deals & Incentives
• On Location
• Industry Experts
• Sphere – HomeBased
• Digital Editions
• Subscribe today!

• Hotels and Resorts
• Types of Travel
• Subscribe Now

Here’s a roundup of cruise lines that are accepting mixed doses

Post date: Nov 12 2021

Date: Nov 12 2021

By: Cindy Sosroutomo

TORONTO — It was the boost that cruise lines needed to round out their recovery: the green light to accept passengers with mixed dose vaccines.

The news was made last month by the CDC, ahead of the Nov. 8 reopening of the U.S. border, which confirmed that people who’ve received doses of two different COVID-19 vaccines will now qualify as fully vaccinated. For the approximately four million Canadians who’ve received a mixed-dose combination, this was a game-changing policy that would finally enable them to cross borders and board cruise lines.

But not all cruise lines have come onboard and among those that are accepting mixed doses, there are slight variances to their policies. To help you keep track of these differences, we’ve rounded up a list of major cruise lines that are currently welcoming passengers with mixed-dose combinations. For the cruise lines not featured below, Travelweek either confirmed that they are not accepting mixed-dose passengers, or was not able to verify their mixed-dose policy.  Also note, many cruise lines are also requiring pre-departure testing. Please refer to each company website for the most up-to-date requirements.

AMAWATERWAYS

Until further notice, AmaWaterways is permitting only fully vaccinated guests to board its ships. The policy also applies to accompanied minors. Guests are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving their second dose of Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca (Covishield), or 28 days following a single dose of Johnson & Johnson. Mixed dosages of these four vaccines is allowed. Guests are encouraged to carry their original CDC vaccination card (or equivalent) as well as a digital version.

https://www.amawaterways.ca/travel-entry-requirements

AVALON WATERWAYS

According to Stéphanie Bishop, Managing Director of the Globus family of brands, Avalon Waterways is accepting all vaccine combinations and types that are recognized and approved by each guest’s country of residence or by the U.S. CDC or EMA. Guests are encouraged to check country entry requirements to ensure that destinations that are visited also accept mixed doses.

Avalon Waterways makes it easy for travellers to check country requirements by clicking on the Sherpa link here .

Azamara requires all guests 12 and older, and crew, to be fully vaccinated no later than 14 days prior to departure. Both doses are required or approved single-dose vaccines. In line with CDC guidelines, Azamara also considers a guest fully vaccinated, with proof of vaccination, if they’ve received mixed doses of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines. Guests can have mixed doses that include AstraZeneca as long as the Astrazeneca dose is administered first, followed by either the Pfizer or Moderna dose within 8-12 weeks. No other mixed vaccine dose will be accepted.

https://www.azamara.com/en-ca/booked-guests/before-you-board/explore-well-at-sea/explore-well-faq

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Vaccinated cruises are available for guests who’ve received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the sailing day, and have proof of vaccination.

Effective with sailings as of Oct. 24, 2021, guests are considered fully vaccinated if they’ve received their final dose of an authorized/approved COVID-19 vaccine, or any combination of two doses of an authorized/approved vaccine. This includes AstraZeneca (1 dose) + Pfizer (1 dose) or Moderna (1 dose) at least 14 days prior to sailing. Acceptable vaccines are those that have been approved/authorized by the FDA or have emergency-use listing by the World Health Organization.

Vaccine exemptions for cruises to the Caribbean are limited to a very small number of children under 12, ad teens and adults with a medical condition who can provide written confirmation from their medical provider that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. Sailings from Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Maryland will operate under these criteria until Dec. 31, 2021.

https://www.carnival.com/Legal/covid-19-legal-notices/covid-19-guest-protocols?icid=advisory_cruisehealth_072821

CELEBRITY CRUISES

Celebrity’s vaccination mandate requires guests 12 years of age and older to receive the last dose in their vaccine series no less than 14 full days before their sail date. Vaccines that are fully approved or authorized for emergency use by the FDA or WHO are accepted; Sputnik V and CanSino are not accepted.

For all sailings, including U.S. and global departures, the CDC will now recognize a mixed series of any two of the following vaccines, with a minimum of 28 days between doses, as fully vaccinated: Pfizer; Moderna; Johnston & Johnson; AstraZeneca; Sinovac; and Sinopharm.

https://www.celebritycruises.com/ca/healthy-at-sea/faqs#testing-and-screening-faqs

To sail with Crystal Ocean, River or Expedition, all age-eligible guests must be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to boarding any Crystal ship through 2022. Vaccines must be accepted by the country Crystal guests are entering, if it requires one.

Crystal is accepting mixed vaccines under the following conditions only:

• The two vaccines are fully approved or authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO);
• There must be a minimum of 28 days between doses
• The final dose must be completed at least 14 days before sailing

Guests with a mixed combination of vaccines must take note that mixed vaccines may not be accepted at all ports of call, in which case they may not be permitted to go ashore.

https://www.crystalcruises.com/crystal-clean

DISNEY CRUISE LINE  

Guests 12 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing and upload their proof of vaccination on the Safe Passage website . Guests who’ve received both doses of Moderna, Pfizer or AstraZeneca are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the second dose has been administered, while those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving one dose.

As for mixed doses, guests with one dose of Moderna and one dose of Pfizer are considered vaccinated 14 days after the second dose. Those who’ve received a single dose of a vector vaccine (ie. AstraZeneca) and one single dose of an mRNA vaccine (ie. Pfizer or Moderna) are not considered fully vaccinated.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/why-cruise-disney/experience-updates/us/

EMERALD CRUISES

All guests are required to receive the required dose(s) of an approved COVID-19 in order to sail. When asked specifically about mixed-dose vaccines, the company tells Travelweek that both Emerald Cruises and sister brand Scenic accept the same vaccines as the host country in which they are operating.

“Most EU countries are accepting a certain mix of vaccines and we follow their requirements. All booking guests are informed of what is required at the time of booking, or even before if they wish to contact our reservations staff of visit our websites.

“We understand that most of the available medical research shows that a two- or three-shot regimen with different vaccines increases effectiveness. All guests are required to have completed the country’s required regimen of vaccine shots before boarding our ships. We believe that means no less than two weeks have passed from the final required shot for full effectiveness,” says Emerald Cruises.

These policies will remain in place as long as there are any concerns for health and well-being, the company adds.

https://www.emeraldcruises.ca/coronavirus-update

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

Holland America will be operating vaccinated cruises through Feb. 28, 2022 for guests who have received their final dose of an COVID-19 vaccine approved by the FDA or WHO, and show proof of vaccination. Guests are considered fully vaccinated if they’ve received their final dose of an approved/authorized vaccine, or any combination of two doses of an authorized/approved vaccine, at least 14 days prior to the start of the cruise.

The acceptable mixed-dose combinations include:

• Pfizer (1 dose) + Moderna (1 dose)
• Pfizer (1 dose) or Moderna (1 dose) + AstraZeneca (1 dose)

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/worry-free-promise/travel-well/frequently-asked-questions/faq-for-cruises-from-usa.html

HURTIGRUTEN

Hurtigruten is requiring proof of vaccination for all Hurtigruten Expeditions sailings with a departure date in 2021 and 2022. For 2022 cruises, all guests, including children under the age of 18, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a WHO-approved vaccine.

With regard to mixed doses, the company notes that many countries have different policies on whether combining vaccines in considered full vaccination or not. In some cases, only specific combinations are accepted. As such, guests are responsible for ensuring that they are considered fully vaccinated by the health authorities of each country on their voyage, regardless of whether they plan to disembark. Hurtigruten Expeditions will deny embarkation to guests who do not meet the current regulations of each country on the sailing at the time of embarkation.

https://www.hurtigruten.com/expedition-practical-information/health-and-safety/?_hrgb=3

MSC CRUISES

For sailings until March 31, 2022, all guests must be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccine more than 14 days before the start of their cruise. Approved vaccines include Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Moderna, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Covishield, Sinopharm, Sinovac and Coronavac. Any ‘mix-and-match’ combination of these vaccines are also accepted.

Guests who have recovered from COVID-19 and received only one shot of vaccine are not considered fully vaccinated.

https://www.msccruises.ca/health-and-safety-measures/caribbean

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

All guests and crew must be fully vaccinated for all sailings at least two weeks prior to departure in order to board, and present proof of vaccination at the pier at embarkation. Guests who are not old enough to be vaccinated are not permitted to sail.

Any FDA, EMA or WHO-authorized single-brand vaccination protocol is accepted, including J&J Janssen, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Oxford (Vaxzevria & Covishield). A mixed vaccination combination of two doses of an FDA-approved/authorized or WHO Emergency Use Listed (EUL) COVID-19 two-dose series with a minimum interval of 17 days is also acceptable.

Guests who’ve received a Janssen COVID-19 vaccine before or after another COVID-19 vaccine are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 more than weeks after receipt of the single dose of the Janssen vaccine.

A single shot of AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Sinopharm or Sinovac after COVID-19 recover is not considered fully vaccinated.

https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/sail-safe

All guests are required to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure in order to board. Guests who are not old enough to be vaccinated or otherwise not eligible to be vaccinated will not be permitted to sail.

Approved vaccines include any FDA-, EMA- or WHO-authorized single brand vaccination protocol more than two weeks after receipt of the final dose. These include J&J Janssen, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca/Oxford (Vaxzevria & Covishield). A mixed vaccination combination of two doses of an FDA-approved/authorized or WHO Emergency Use Listed (EUL) COVID-19 two-dose series with a minimum interval of 17 days is also accepted.

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/sites/default/files/2021-10/sailf-safe-health-program-v19.pdf

PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES

All guests must complete the COVID-19 vaccination process more than seven days prior to embarkation, and present valid proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 RT PCR test result and a completed health declaration and health questionnaire forms.

The cruise line recognizes Canadian and U.S. guests with mixed doses of a COVID-19 vaccine as fully vaccinated.

https://www.pgcruises.com/travel-advisory

Guests must have received their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before the start of their cruise, and show proof of vaccination at the terminal prior to boarding. Mixed-dose combinations that are being accepted include: Pfizer (1 dose) + Moderna (1 dose), and AstraZeneca (1 dose) + Pfizer (1 dose) or Moderna (1 dose).

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/us-cruises/

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

All guests and crew must be fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to embarkation in order to board, and provide proof of vaccination. For all voyages, FDA-, EMA and/or WHO-authorized single brand vaccination protocol will be accepted, including J&J Janssen, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Oxford (Covishield and Vaxzevria), Sinopharm BIBP, Sinovac and Covaxin.

A mixed vaccination combination of two doses of an FDA or EMA-approved/authorized or WHO Emergency Use Listed (EUL) COVID-19 two-dose series with a minimum interval of 17 days will also be accepted. Guests who’ve received a Janssen COVID-19 vaccine before or after another COVID-19 vaccine are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 14 days after receipt of the single dose of the Janssen vaccine.

https://www.rssc.com/HealthSafetyProtocols

RIVIERA RIVER CRUISES

All guests are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with the second dose taken a minimum of seven days prior to travel.

As for mixed-doses, Travelweek has confirmed that Riviera recognizes Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca in any combination, with the final dose for full vaccination taken no later than 14 days before embarkation. North American travellers should check the vaccine requirements for each specific country that their cruise visits.

Riviera’s vaccination policy is reviewed frequently but there is no end date set at this time due to continuously changing conditions.

https://www.rivierarivercruises.com/covid-faqs#compulsory

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

Royal Caribbean is accepting a mixed vaccination series consisting of doses from different manufacturers, as long as the series meets the following requirements:

• Must consist of at least two doses of vaccines that are fully approved or authorized for emergency use by the FDA or WHO
• The two doses must be administered at least 28 days apart

The cruise line notes that mixed vaccines may not be accepted at all ports of call. Guests who are vaccinated with a mixed series may not be allowed to go ashore at these ports, or may need to undergo additional testing if they wish to go ashore.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-vaccines-are-accepted

All guests are required to receive the required dose(s) of an approved COVID-19 in order to sail. When asked specifically about mixed-dose vaccines, the company tells Travelweek that both Scenic and sister brand Emerald Cruises accept the same vaccines as the host country in which they are operating.

“We understand that most of the available medical research shows that a two- or three-shot regimen with different vaccines increases effectiveness. All guests are required to have completed the country’s required regimen of vaccine shots before boarding our ships. We believe that means no less than two weeks have passed from the final required shot for full effectiveness,” says Scenic.

https://www.scenic.ca/why-scenic/river-cruise-with-confidence#medical

Regardless of age, guests on all Seabourn voyages departing through Feb. 28, 2022 must be fully vaccinated a minimum of 14 days following the last dose in the vaccine series of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. Proof of vaccination and the dates given are required at the terminal prior to boarding.

Eligible vaccines are ones that have been approved/authorized by the FDA or have emergency use listing by WHO. The following mixed-dose combinations are accepted: Pfizer (1 dose) + Moderna (1 dose), and Pfizer (1 dose) or Moderna (1 dose) + AstraZeneca (1 dose).

https://www.seabourn.com/en_US/health-safety/us-travel-requirements.html

UPDATED NOV. 19: Silversea accepts vaccines that are fully approved or authorized for emergency use by the U.S. FDA or the World Health Organization. All doses of vaccine should be from the same manufacturer and of the same type (e.g. mRNA), in the required number of doses to be considered fully administered (e.g. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after their vaccine series is completed.

With regard to mixed vaccines, whether these are accepted depends on the mix of manufacturers and where the guest is sailing from.

For cruises departing from U.S. ports : Parent company Royal Caribbean will accommodate guests who are vaccinated with mixed mRNA vaccines, such as 1 shot of Pfizer and 1 shot of Moderna. The doses must be separated by at least 28 days and not more than 42 days. The company does not accept 1 shot of an mRNA vaccine (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) mixed with 1 shot of a viral vector vaccine (e.g., AstraZeneca). Mixed vaccines may not be accepted at all ports of call. Guests who are vaccinated with a mixed series may need to undergo additional testing at embarkation if they wish to go ashore in these ports.

For cruises departing from ports outside of the U.S. : Silversea will accept guests who are vaccinated with a mixed regimen consisting of 2 shots of the following manufacturer combinations: Pfizer and Moderna, or AstraZeneca with either Pfizer or Moderna. The doses must be separated by at least 28 days and not more than 42 days for mixes of Pfizer and Moderna, and separated by at least 4 weeks and not more than 12 weeks for combinations of AstraZeneca with Pfizer or Moderna.

Mixed vaccines may not be accepted at all ports of call. Guests who are vaccinated with a mixed series may not be allowed to go ashore at these ports, or may need to undergo additional testing if they wish to go ashore.

https://www.silversea.com/lp-silversea-hrts-consumer.html

ST. LAWRENCE CRUISE LINES

All passengers and crew are required to provide proof of double vaccination before boarding the vessel.

When asked about mixed doses specifically, Daniel Beals, Advertising and Marketing Coordinator tells Travelweek that during the 2021 season, the company accepted travellers who were double vaccinated, including those who received a mixed-dose vaccine combination. The second dose had to have been received at least 14 days prior to their cruise departure.

“This system worked well for us in tandem with the safety measures that were in place onboard throughout the season (rapid testing before boarding, masking, physical distancing), and we had no incidences of COVID-19 during our season,” says Beals.

St. Lawrence Cruise Lines sails between May and October and is currently in its off-season. During this time, the company will continue to monitor the situation.

https://www.stlawrencecruiselines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/8.-COVID-19-Health-Safety_2021.pdf

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISES

All guests on Uniworld cruises or cruise/tours through Dec. 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel. Children who are not eligible to be vaccinated based on their age are exempt from this requirement, however they will be asked to provide a negative PCR or antigen test result taken within 72 hours of embarkation.

According to Michelle Palma, President of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises Canada, Uniworld is accepting mixed doses, provided that guests can show documented proof of two doses of approved COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or one dose of Johnson & Johnson). All guests must also follow the entry guidelines for travel to their destination, which can be found on Uniworld’s Travel Requirements . The second dose must have been administered a minimum of 15 days prior to their departure.

https://www.uniworld.com/ca/already-booked/covid-faq

WINDSTAR CRUISES

At the cruise terminal prior to embarkation, guests are required to provide proof of a current vaccine course (one or two shots, depending on the brand), completed at least 14 days prior to the embarkation date.

According to Sarah Scoltock, Director of Public Relations, Windstar is accepting vaccination certification for the nation where the guest resides. As for whether a mixed vaccine is accepted, “it somewhat depends on the location where the guest is embarking,” she says. “In a nutshell, it depends if the country of embarkation accepts mixed vaccines. We do require everyone to be vaccinated and we also must follow local regulations.”

This policy will remain in place for the time being, and applies to all guests. It will be re-evaluated as the COVID-19 situation evolves globally.

Tags: AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Azamara, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Emerald Waterways, Holland America Line, Hurtigruten, Lead Story, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Riviera River Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Seabourn, Silversea Cruises, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines, Uniworld, Windstar Cruises

Cindy is Deputy Editor at Travelweek and has worked for the company since 2007. She has travelled to more than 50 countries and counts Kenya, Morocco, Thailand and Turkey among her favourite destinations.

What It’s Like to Take a River Cruise Through Europe Right Now

With covid rules and restrictions varying by country, crossing the border by boat has its own new challenges—but there are some advantages, too..

• Copy Link copied

The German town of Rüdesheim, which sits on the Rhine River and is known for its wine production

Photo by Nick Zastenski/Shutterstock

At the end of August, I hopped in a car to take a plane from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Amsterdam. My mission, from there: a Rhine River cruise, traveling from the Netherlands to Germany, then France, Germany (again), before ending in Switzerland. My vessel? The new-as-of-2021 AmaSiena , a 156-passenger ship from AmaWaterways that—at just 38 feet wide and 443 feet long—would carry me and 102 other passengers through Europe, stopping in seven cities along the way.

Though this had a typical cruise schedule, it wasn’t a typical cruise. For one, as of August 4, AmaWaterways required all guests to be vaccinated, and the ship was capped at 75 percent capacity. In between new sailings, the crew spent four hours deep cleaning cabins and common areas, and a fogging system is deployed to sanitize surfaces. Temperatures were to be taken before boarding and at breakfast. All guests were required to be masked unless seated and dining, and all staff wore masks and manned sanitizing stations that flanked all entry and exit points of the ship. Gone was buffet dining, and the gym—which normally could fit eight for workouts—was limited to two people. Dancing? Forbidden. Says Kristin Karst, executive vice president and cofounder of AmaWaterways: “Things have changed since the Delta variant. But these protocols are better for everyone, and safer for everyone.”

Off the ship, things were different, too. We were to pass through several European countries, each with its own entry and exit and quarantine requirements. What would it be like on the ground—and what would crossing borders be like? My anxiety over what I needed to produce was quickly eased: Before arrival in each new country, AmaWaterways staff would brief us on what was required in each destination and share links to paperwork to complete (and in some cases, physical documents).

Although I had never been on a river cruise before, I quickly saw the appeal: Your food—all you can eat, served by crisply dressed waiters—was steps away from your room, your room steps away from the ship’s sun deck, and the deck mere steps away from a destination, when docked. It was a floating hotel, in a sense, and after more than a year of no traveling, this slow return not only felt fitting, but also kind of the point.

For those planning or thinking about a European river cruise, here are some details about what to expect.

In the Netherlands

Before I even got to the ship, to fly to the Netherlands, I needed to produce either a negative COVID test or vaccine card, as was required by the Dutch government. (Ever the overpreparer, at the airport, I produced both with a flourish.) I also had to complete a health declaration form for the Netherlands, which confirmed I had no COVID symptoms. But once I landed, I was through customs and baggage claim faster than you could say tot ziens (goodbye): It was off to the port to drop off my bags and meet my brother, who is based in Brussels and was joining me for the trip. “Get ready,” he told me, when I called to let him know I’d arrived. “No one here is wearing masks.”

He was not exaggerating. I can count on one hand the number of people I saw wearing masks outside in Amsterdam, and inside, the numbers were about the same. He and I both wore masks when we entered a shop, but it was not mandatory, nor were we asked to produce any sort of vaccination proof. (Chalk it up to vaccination rates: Roughly 83 percent of Dutch people have had at least one dose of a vaccine, and the country has one of the highest vaccination rates in the European Union.) We were a little wary, but it did not take long for us to settle into our what-we-always-do-in-Amsterdam routine, given that our parents own a small caravan outside of the city: sit by the canal, drink beer, and eat bitterballen , or Dutch meatballs.

Hours later, back on the ship, we nodded “nice to meet yous” at our fellow socially distanced travelers and took our masks off, briefly, to dine at the Chef’s Table, a tasting menu with three appetizers, three main courses, and three desserts. I felt uneasy, despite the distancing and sanitization and knowledge that everyone was vaccinated. In the morning, we would sail to Germany.

Netherlands travel rules: At press time, to visit the Netherlands, vaccinated travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test performed within 24 hours prior to departure for the Netherlands. (Children under 12 are exempt.) Unvaccinated travelers are prohibited from entering the Netherlands for nonessential or leisure travel purposes. Read more about entry requirements for travel to the Netherlands.

Our first sail day was sunny, but the threat of paperwork loomed: Prior to arrival in Germany on days two, three, and five of sailing—where we would be visiting the towns of Köln, Rüdesheim, and Breisach—I needed to complete the digital registration form , which asked for the countries I’d visited in the last 14 days, the address where I’d be staying, and whether or not I had proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. I uploaded my proof of vaccination, and then received a QR code that I could show to officials in case anyone asked. In total, it was a 20-minute process—not bad, all told, though I did complete it twice for fear of being hit with a 25,000-euro fine . Once finished, I headed to the sun deck on top of the ship, which had a walking track, swim-up pool, and deck chairs. A waiter handed out mimosas, and as we nosed toward Germany and left the Netherlands behind, city gave way to green pastures and grazing sheep. My brother and I spent those first few hours sailing there, just sitting. I could practically feel some of the COVID travel anxiety melting away.

The next day, out on land in Germany, I did not encounter anyone who asked for proof of my digital entry form. What everyone in restaurants and bars—even outdoors— did ask for, without fail: name, email, address, and phone number for contact tracing purposes. After a few rounds of completing paperwork by hand, I did as the Germans do and downloaded the Luca app , which functions as a de facto digital guest list for restaurants. Just scan the QR code to check in, and swipe in the app to check out, creating a record of where you were—and for how long—in the event the info is needed for contact tracing purposes.

Unlike in Amsterdam, masks were prevalent in Germany. (Our tour guides in Köln and Breisach told us they were required to wear them, even outdoors.) Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test was required for indoor dining, and other than a few second glances at the dates I had received vaccines—Germans enter the day, month, and year rather than the month, day, and year—I had no issues presenting my CDC card as proof. The more time I spent out and about in Germany, the more it felt like a homecoming: My brother and I grew up in Germany and had traveled to Köln and Rüdesheim countless times, but it had been years since we’d returned. Back to Germany, back to travel.

Germany travel rules: At press time, Germany is no longer allowing unvaccinated Americans to enter for leisure travel after removing the United States from its list of unrestricted countries. Those arriving from countries that are not on the list must either be vaccinated or be traveling for an essential reason (such as an approved work purpose). For proof of vaccination, it must have been at least 14 days since the last vaccine dose was administered, and travelers must have a physical copy of their vaccine certificate. A digital photo of a card will not be accepted. Read more about entry requirements for travel to Germany.

Before arriving in Strasbourg, France, I was required to complete a statement of honor , in which I verified I did not have COVID or any symptoms. (I printed two copies and carried the paperwork with me, though I was never asked to show it.) And though we were just two miles from the German border, the rules were different: You were not allowed entry into a restaurant or bar—even if you were sitting outdoors—without showing proof of a negative COVID test or physical vaccine card. There was a bit of whiplash: In Germany, mere hours earlier, we had been allowed to sit outside as long as we submitted information for contact tracing—nothing else.

Still, as it had in the Netherlands and Germany, this requirement quickly became a routine we adjusted to: We sat for an espresso in the sun near the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg, flashing our vaccine cards before ordering. We walked toward the Petite-France neighborhood to eat outdoors at La Fignette, an Alsatian restaurant specializing in tarte flambée (or flammkuchen , in German). We drank more beer on a boat moored on the river, before returning to our own ship to set sail, once again.

France travel rules: At press time, vaccinated travelers from the United States can enter France with no additional requirements other than submitting the health declaration form . Unvaccinated U.S. travelers are no longer allowed to travel to France unless they have a pressing or compelling reason, such as being an EU citizen or resident, for an essential work purpose, or for studies. Read more about the rules for travel to France.

In Switzerland

From France, we traveled back into Germany for a foray into the Black Forest, so it was another change—a return to contact tracing, but otherwise, all existing documentation held up. After that, we sailed to the Swiss town of Basel, where we disembarked. Once there, I ended my journey much the same way I had begun it a week ago: a car to a train to a plane.

Switzerland travel rules: At press time, as of September 20, travelers aged over 16 entering Switzerland who have not been vaccinated or have not recovered from COVID-19 will have to present a negative test result (PCR or antigen) and be tested again after four to seven days. (Testing is not required for travelers with proof of vaccination or recovery.) Read more about the rules for travel to Switzerland.

Key tips for taking a European river cruise right now

Regardless of how you travel, be sure to take a photo of your vaccine card and carry the physical copy with you when you go out, as well as any health declaration forms. Research countries and respective contact tracing apps, and download them prior to arrival in order to expedite your entry and exit into bars, restaurants, and other venues.

>> Next: These Countries Are Open to Vaccinated Travelers

Travel Alert Advisory

• TRAVEL ADVISORY
• HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS
• TRAVEL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
• TRAVEL WAIVER PLUS
• PEACE OF MIND

Travel Entry Requirements

For river cruises in 2023 and 2024, AmaWaterways is not requiring proof of Covid-19 vaccination to board our ships. All guests traveling with AmaWaterways remain responsible for ensuring they meet the travel entry requirements for each country they plan to visit before, during or after their river cruise. These requirements, as mandated by airlines and individual countries or regions , may change without notice and cancellation fees will apply should guests no longer meet the country entry requirements for their cruise or land program.

Itinerary Requirements Summary:

• For Tulip Time and Best of Holland & Belgium cruises : guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter any of the countries along these itineraries.
• For Rhine, Main and Moselle Cruises : guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter any of the countries along these itineraries.
• For Upper Danube Cruises (between Hungary and Germany) : guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter any of the countries along these itineraries.
• For Lower Danube Cruises (between Hungary and Romania) : guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter any of the countries along these itineraries.
• For cruises in Portugal and Spain : guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter any of the countries along these itineraries.
• For cruises in Portugal only: guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter Portugal.
• For cruises in France : guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter France.
• For cruises in Egypt : guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter Egypt.

*European Medicine Agency (EMA): double doses - BioNTech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Covishield, Covaxin, Covovax, Moderna, Nuvaxovid (Novavax). Johnson & Johnson (single dose).

**For guests with a non-EMA Covid-19 vaccine please ensure the validity of your vaccine(s) with all countries you will be visiting.

***To cruise with AmaWaterways, children 4 years of age need a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours of embarkation.

For all cruises after October 1, 2022, AmaWaterways guests will need to meet the following vaccination requirements:

• Fully Vaccinated
• Or Negative Antigen or PCR test 48 hours prior to embarkation
• Or a Covid recovery letter not older than 60 days

This also applies to accompanied minors. Guest will be required to show proof of one of the above criteria prior to embarkation or the start of their land package with AmaWaterways. The criteria for being considered "fully vaccinated" may differ from country to country and can impact your travel.

• View Requirements by Country Austria (Entry Airport: Vienna) Belgium (Entry Airport: Brussels (BRU)) Botswana (Entry Airport: Kasane (BBK)) Bulgaria Cambodia (Entry Airport: Siem Reap) Croatia Czech Republic (Entry Airport: Prague) Egypt (Entry Airport: Cairo) France (Entry Airport: Paris / Bordeaux/ Lyon / Marseille) Germany (Entry Airport: Munich / Frankfurt) Hungary (Entry Airport: Budapest) Israel (Entry Airport: Tel Aviv) Italy (Entry Airport: Milan Linate (LIN)) Jordan (Entry Airport: Amman) Kenya (Entry Airport: Nairobi (NBO)) Luxembourg (Entry Airport: Luxembourg (LUX)) Namibia The Netherlands (Entry Airport: Amsterdam) Portugal (Entry Airport: Porto / Lisbon) Romania (Entry Airport: Bucharest) Serbia Rwanda Slovakia South Africa (Entry Airport: Cape Town (CPT)/Johannesburg or Tambo (JNB)) Spain (Entry Airport: Madrid / Barcelona / Bilbao (BIO)) Switzerland (Entry Airport: (BSL) / Zurich (ZRH) / Geneva (GVA)) Tanzania Thailand (Entry Airport: Bangkok (BKK)) Turkey (Entry Airport: Istanbul) United Arab Emirates (Entry Airport: Dubai) Vietnam (Entry Airport: Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City) Zambia Zimbabwe (Entry Airport: Victoria Falls (VFL))
• View Requirements by Itinerary Secrets of Egypt & the Nile

Experience More Connections

• Terms and Conditions
• Lost & Found
• Passenger Ticket Contract
• Employment Opportunities
• Privacy Policy
• Unsubscribe
• Cruise Finder
• Destinations
• Vietnam & Cambodia
• Wine Cruises
• Golf Cruises
• Christmas Markets
• Land Packages
• Mission Statement
• Why AmaWaterways
• The Luxury Of More
• Already Booked
• Kristin's Blog
• Media Library
• Travel Advisor Portal