When luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises resumes operations on its river and ocean sailings later this year, all of its passengers will be required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 at least two weeks prior to setting sail, says an article published in Forbes.
Resuming Operations
Crystal has paused operations through May for river cruises and into June for ocean cruises. The cruise line’s luxury yacht Crystal Esprit and polar-class expedition ship Crystal Endeavor are slated to resume sailing in August.
Award Winning Ships
Considerably smaller than the enormous cruise ships operated by some of the mass-market lines, Crystals’s two ocean liners — the 980-passenger Serenity and 848-passenger Symphony — offer an award-winning blend of large-ship cruising and luxury travel.
Crystal’s Interim CEO’s Statements
“We know that peace of mind is the greatest luxury and the vaccine requirement is simply the best way to ensure the safest possible Crystal experience for all onboard,” said Jack Anderson, Crystal’s interim CEO, in a statement. “This sentiment is underscored by conversations with our guests and travel partners and a recent Cruise Critic survey of cruisers that revealed that more than 80% of respondents would cruise if a vaccine were required.”
Crystal is the fourth cruise line to mandate vaccines, but the only large-ship cruise line to do so.
American Queen Steamboat Company CEO’s Points
“I think it’s the new norm,” American Queen Steamboat Company CEO John Waggoner told Cruise Critic, the cruise review site, last month when he announced that American Queen and its sister line, Victory Cruise Lines, will require passengers to be vaccinated beginning July 1. “If you had the ability to cruise on a boat knowing that everyone was fully vaccinated or that only 90% of the people were vaccinated, which would you chose?” The rule will be in place for American Queen’s four riverboats and the three vessels operated by Victory Cruise Lines.
First Vaccine Mandate Cruise
The first cruise line to announce a vaccine mandate was UK-based Saga Cruises, which will also require passengers to receive the Covid-19 vaccine at least two weeks prior to boarding.
New Vaccine Requirement In Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises’ new vaccine requirement is part of the line’s Clean+ 4.0 measures, which requires a negative Covid test for both guests and crew prior to embarkation, temperature checks at the terminal prior to boarding, mask and social distancing guidelines, enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures and reduced capacity. Guests will need to provide proof of vaccination before boarding.
In addition to providing verified documentation of their Covid-19 vaccine at the time of boarding, Crystal’s passengers will have to complete an online form acknowledging the vaccine requirement before their cruise tickets will be issued.
Future Plans
Most of the larger cruise lines are planning to resume sailing at the end of April or soon thereafter. One of the most pressing questions is whether other large-ship cruise lines will require passengers to be vaccinated for Covid-19.
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Source : Forbes
