Norwegian Cruise Line is exploring options to assist get its crew members and visitors vaccinated for COVID-19 before voyages, a spokesperson confirmed to a news channel.
“We’re exploring all options concerning vaccinations for visitors and crew and it’s our intention that each one crew members be vaccinated before boarding our vessels to start their duties, subject to availability of the vaccine,” a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. mentioned in a statement.
“We will proceed to partner with global and domestic authorities and the Healthy Sail Panel, our team of main expert advisors, to explore all options obligatory to protect visitors, crew and the communities visited.”
Norwegian declined to say whether the cruise line was considering making vaccinations necessary for visitors at this time.
Norwegian’s new requirement comes after an international liner issued the same mandate last week. U.K.-based Saga Cruiselines, which runs cruises for passengers 50 and up, mentioned it would require passengers boarding its next voyages to be absolutely vaccinated at least 14 days previous to sailing. Saga’s first voyage following the short-term suspension of its cruises is slated for May 4.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last yr issued guidelines advising in opposition to the cruise travel, saying the risk of contracting the virus was “very excessive.” The CDC is famous in the guidance that travelers with “increased danger for severe illness” should avoid cruises altogether.
Those that do want to embark on cruise travel are suggested to get examined three to 5 days after the trip and self-isolate for seven days, regardless of test results.
The cruise business has been hit significantly hard throughout the pandemic, following massive outbreaks on cruise ships in early 2020. Princess Cruises was hit significantly hard early on in February 2020, when the Diamond Princess experienced an outbreak that finally infected greater than 700 guests and resulted in the demise of at least 13.
