Costa Cruises Updates COVID-19 Protocols, Makes Vacations More Accessible

Recently, various major cruise lines have been adjusting or dropping, COVID-19 protocols to make life easier for guests. According to a press release, Costa Cruises is now also updating and simplifying its COVID-19 health protocols. The aim is to make the cruise line’s vacations more accessible with no restrictions. New, easier procedures will apply from October 8, allowing passengers to enjoy both onboard and on-shore excursions with more convenience. Read on to find out how it affects cruises to different destinations.

What changes are Costa Cruises making?

As of October 8, the main changes relate to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the United Arab Emirates. In these locations, fully vaccinated passengers will no longer need to undergo pre-embarkation testing. On top of this, in both the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, those guests who are not vaccinated will be allowed to embark with negative antigen tests.

Speaking of the Mediterranean (but excluding Greece) and the Caribbean cruises of 14 nights or less, guests who have had the full COVID-19 vaccination process will be allowed on board cruise ships with no further pre- embarkation tests.

Meanwhile, those unvaccinated or recovered passengers will also be able to sail with Costa to these destinations. All that will be required is to show official proof of a negative test result (antigen or RT-PCT depending on their choice), undergone within two days of embarkation.

What about Greece?

As for Greece, all cruises calling in the country will continue to only be available to fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, or recovered passengers. In this case, they must also be able to produce a negative antigen test within two days of departure.

Costa Cruises to Morocco and the Caribbean

When it comes to Morocco, passengers without full vaccination will need to undergo an additional RT-PCR molecular test onboard the cruise ship, two days prior to entry into the country.

Meanwhile, with Caribbean cruises, the disembarkation of unvaccinated passengers in Barbados, St. Vincent and St. Martin will only be permitted with a negative antigen test, performed one or two days prior to the ship’s arrival. However, to make things convenient, the tests, as well as any scheduled prior to entering Morocco, can be done onboard Costa Cruise ships at a special price.

Cruises to the UAE, Qatar, Oman and more

Currently, cruises to the UAE, Qatar and Oman are still only available to fully vaccinated passengers, but with no requirement for pre-embarkation testing.

Meanwhile, Around-the-World, transatlantic cruises, and any cruises longer than 14 nights require passengers to be fully vaccinated. They will also be required to undergo an antigen test with a negative result within two days of embarkation. On top of this, the use of masks is mandatory in public areas onboard for the first week of the cruise. However, in other destinations, including the Caribbean, Mediterranean and UAE, mask use is only a recommendation.

Readers can keep up-to-date with Costa’s health protocols and read more information about them on the company’s website here.