From October 8, on Costa cruises in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the United Arab Emirates, fully vaccinated guests will be able to board without the need for further testing.
Costa Cruises updates its Covid-19 health protocols, making your holidays even more accessible, starting with those scheduled for next fall and winter.
Indeed, new procedures will come into effect on October 8th, further simplifying the measures, especially the pre-boarding requirements, on board the company's ships. Since last spring, passengers have been able to fully enjoy, without restrictions, all onboard and shore services, such as excursions, restaurants, bars, theaters, gyms, swimming pools, and wellness areas.
The main changes affect the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the United Arab Emirates, where fully vaccinated guests will no longer be required to undergo pre-boarding testing. Additionally, in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, unvaccinated guests with a negative antigen test will also be allowed to board.
Below are the details of the requirements for each destination.
Mediterranean and Caribbean:
On Mediterranean (excluding Greece) and Caribbean cruises of less than 14 nights, guests who have completed the Covid-19 vaccination series (2 doses + booster; 1 dose J&J + booster; 2 doses + recovery) can board the ships without further pre-embarkation testing. Guests who have not been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 (without 2 doses) can also travel with Costa to these destinations by simply presenting official certification of a negative antigen test result (or RT-PCR molecular test, at the guest's choice) taken within 48 hours prior to embarkation.
All cruises stopping in Greece will continue to be available only to guests who are fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated and recovered (2 doses + booster; J&J + booster; 2 doses + recovery; 1 dose + recovery; recovery only), and who have undergone antigen testing with a negative result within 48 hours prior to boarding.
From October 8th, new procedures will come into effect that will further simplify the measures, especially those related to pre-boarding.
On cruises visiting Morocco, guests who are not fully vaccinated will be required to undergo an additional RT-PCR molecular test on board 48 hours before entering the country. For Caribbean cruises, shore leave for unvaccinated guests in Barbados, St. Vincent, and St. Maarten is only permitted with a negative antigen test result taken 24 or 48 hours before the ship's arrival. These tests, as well as those scheduled before entering Morocco, can be performed on board Costa ships at a special rate.
United Arab Emirates
Cruises in the UAE, Oman and Qatar are currently available only to fully vaccinated guests (2 doses + booster; 1 dose J&J + booster; 2 doses + recovery), but no pre-boarding testing is required.
World Cruises and Ocean Liners:
World cruises*, ocean liners, and, in general, all cruises longer than 14 nights, require guests to be fully vaccinated and to have a negative antigen test result within 48 hours prior to embarkation. Additionally, the use of face masks on board will be mandatory in public areas for the first 7 days of the cruise, while in other destinations (Mediterranean, Caribbean, UAE) the use of face masks is merely recommended.
In all the destinations mentioned, where applicable, the full vaccination requirement applies only to guests aged 12 and over (except on World Cruises and transatlantic liners, from the age of 18), and the antigen requirement from the age of 5.
The updated protocols will continue to guarantee a high level of safety on board. If needed, Costa ships remain equipped to perform both antigen and molecular COVID-19 tests. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of public areas, cabins, terminals, and vehicles used for excursions and guest transportation will also continue. Crew members undergo COVID-19 testing before embarkation and periodically while on board.
Costa's protocols are consistent with the measures currently in place at the destinations visited by the company's ships. Should local authorities implement new measures in the future, Costa's protocols will be adjusted accordingly. In such a case, the company will promptly inform its guests. To stay up-to-date on Costa's ship health protocols and obtain further information, simply visit the company's website.
* For the Panama stop of the Around the World cruise, unvaccinated guests between the ages of 5 and 17 must take an antigen test 72 hours before the ship's arrival, available on board at a special price.
