The COVID-19 pandemic made a major impact on cruising in 2020 and 2021 and will most likely change how many things are done on future cruises. This website will be updated with these changes as they occur. Items that have changed or things to consider due to the COVID-19 pandemic are highlighted in gray on this website similar to this section.
While we had hoped that the COVID-19 pandemic would be under control by the time of this cruise it appears that many of the restrictions and mandates may be with us for quite awhile in many phases of our everyday life. With having everyone onboard fully vaccinated, pre-embarkation testing, and other health and safety protocols we feel we are as safe going on a cruise as we are staying at home. Perhaps the only downer is having to wear masks in certain areas onboard the ship. However, that may be a small sacrifice to endure to enjoy the other pleasures of cruising that we love.
If you have questions about cruising here is a FAQ that perhaps can answer many of your questions dealing with cruising with Princess. As you will find, they are doing everything they can to make this cruise as safe as possible. During this time of the COVID pandemic, cruise lines are offering a safer alternative to any other land based vacation options due to the various health protocols they have instituted.
While the CDC only provides the daily updates on its website, you can track not only the current but also recent past statuses of all cruise ships currently sailing on this website . This may give you a better idea how each cruise line and ship are handling the virus outbreaks.
What will future cruise trips be like once ships are permitted to sail again? Below are some of the steps that Princess Cruises is adopting at this time:
Princess Cruises has introduced CruiseHealth™ to provide more details on what to expect on your future cruises. Below are some of the measures they are pursuing as they work with public health officials and medical experts to develop their health and safety protocols. Please be aware that these are just the start as they adapt to the latest science and ever-evolving situation. Hopefully this will produce a safer way to cruise and travel.
As things change, so will their protocols. For instance, as the threat of COVID-19 diminishes they may not require masks in crowded areas. Likewise, if other health issues arise other health and safety protocols may be adopted.
On February 18, 2022 Princess Cruises confirmed that it is participating in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated program for cruise ships operating in U.S. waters through March 31 and is advising guests of the following changes:
Effective with cruises departing March 1, 2022 masks on board will be recommended but not required. There may, however, be certain venues and events where masks will be required.
Additional flexibility for pre-cruising testing requirements will become available. Details will be posted to the Cruise Health section of our website.
Princess will continue to meet the standard of vaccinated cruises.
This new directive is somewhat unique for this cruise since we depart on February 28, 2022, the day before the new rules go into affect. It will be interesting to see if the wearing of masks will be enforced since the rest of the fleet will be sailing with the option of being mask free.
Princess Cruises is currently offering their Cruise With Confidence program. This program allows you to cancel your cruise up to 30 days before you sail, and get your cancellation fees back as a Future Cruise Credit (FCC). This applies to voyages departing through April 30, 2022. The catch is that these Future Cruse Credits can only be used on any sailing made by and sailed by December 31, 2022.
Learn more about the Book with Confidence program here.
They also offer a new program designed to assist guest who, as a result of being suspected of having Covid-19 or testing positive for Covid-19, may be unable to travel to embarkation, may be denied boarding, may be quarantined onboard, or disembarked early. If you or your immediate travel party in the same stateroom tests positive for COVID-19 within the 30 days prior to and including embarkation day or is denied boarding for a COVID-19 related reason, you will receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for 100% of the cancellation fee amount of non-refundable unused services, and a refund to the original form of payment for all taxes, fees, port expenses and pre-paid onboard experiences and shore excursions purchased through Princess.
Once onboard:
If you or your immediate travel party tests positive while on board, you will receive an FCC worth 100% of the per-day cruise fare for missed days and a refundable credit to your onboard account for missed pre-paid onboard experiences and shore excursions purchased through the cruise line, and for the refundable portion of taxes, fees and port expenses for ports visited after disembarkation.
Onboard COVID-related medical center visits and testing of suspected COVID-19 cases will be free of charge.
Shoreside:
If you test positive for COVID-19 during your cruise, you will be reimbursed for expenses for COVID-related medical care, including those incurred during any medically required post-disembarkation quarantine period. This includes air change fees if onward travel plans need to change.
Princess Cruises will designate a Dedicated Family Assistance liaison for care and logistical shoreside support until you or the member of your immediate travel party is medically cleared to travel home.
Any shoreside meals will be covered by a daily meal allowance, which you’ll learn about from the family assistance coordinator when you disembark. (No receipts required.)
Princess Cruises will also offer assistance opening COVID-related insurance claims (for those who are eligible under their insurance policies or travel protection plans).
Learn more about the Covid-19 Protection Program here.
Enhanced Health Screenings - Every guest and crew member will undergo enhanced pre-embarkation health screenings, including pre-travel COVID-19 testing required to be taken two days before embarkation, touchless temperature checks and health questionnaires, in accordance with the latest guidelines from public health officials. They will also require all cruisers and staff to be properly vaccinated prior to boarding. While booster shots are not yet mandatory, they are recommended.
If you want to increase your odds of boarding the ship as early as possible, I suggest that soon after you receive your OceanMeddallion® that you use to fill out your pre-cruise health questionnaire. You will then be able to select your preferred time to arrive at the port which will help stagger boarding times.
You will receive a notification to complete a health questionnaire about 72 hours before you embark the ship, using the MedallionClass app. You’ll be asked to complete the questionnaire before leaving home to begin traveling on your vacation, and then reconfirm your answers when arriving at the port for embarkation.
If you have any symptoms of illness, you will be separated from other embarking guests for some secondary screening. Depending on the outcome of this screening, you and your traveling party may be denied boarding.
During a medical screening, the Princess Cruise medical staff will need to verify your health questionnaire answers, or any corrections, and then consider whether to permit you to embark.
If you refuse to be tested or screened, or to follow the COVID-19 Protocols, you will be denied boarding and no refund or credit will be issued.
The results of any COVID-19 tests, and information provided on the health declaration will be subject to Princess Cruises Privacy Notice, and shared only as needed with Princess personnel, third parties or local health authorities as part of screening and embarkation-related health protocols.
Enhanced Environmental Sanitization - Public areas and staterooms will be thoroughly and more frequently cleaned using a safe disinfectant proven to quickly kill coronaviruses.
Responsible Physical Distancing - Physical distancing will be managed by adjusting the flow, timing and size of groups throughout the ships. When physical distancing can’t be maintained, masks may be required. (We had hoped that the masking mandate would be lifted by the time of this cruise but it appears that it will still be enforced). Most cruise ships sailing in the last few months have been at reduced capacity, which greatly helps with social distancing in public areas.
Medical Care - Princess Cruises highly-trained medical staff includes doctors and nurses with expertise caring for a broad range of medical conditions, including dealing with COVID-19 patients. Medical centers will be equipped with testing capabilities as well as with medications known to improve outcomes.
Improved Ventilation - Ships will feature enhanced air filtration with upgraded HVAC systems. Air within public spaces and staterooms will be replaced every five to six minutes. HEPA filters will be used in key areas, such as medical centers and dedicated isolation rooms, as a further safeguard.
Contact Tracing - There is the potential to use the OceanMedallion™ technology which is used on the Sky Princess to know where and when people are gathering. This may help crew staff distribute people better in crowded areas. Plus, in the event a passenger would test positive for a virus while onboard, the app could be employed to track and trace those who had been in close contact with the patient, reducing the risk of further transmission. This will also give crew members criticial information on which areas of the ship may need deeper cleaning due to potential surface contamination.
What happens if you don't follow the suggested onboard health protocols?
If you choose not to comply with the onboard public health measures you may be disembarked at the first available opportunity. Other consequences could include being denied service, required stateroom isolation and being banned from sailing in the future on Princess Cruises.
If you, or others in your traveling party are non-compliant, no refund of the cruise fare for unused cruise days or travel expenses (if flying home) will be covered.
If your travel party is impacted and/or they are required or voluntarily choose to leave with you, the same policies will apply to them: there will be no refund of cruise fare for unused cruise days or coverage of travel expenses home.
Safe Shoreside Experiences - Princess Cruises is working with local authorities, destinations and tour operators to ensure the enhanced health and safety measures onboard are maintained ashore. There may be a reduction in the capacity of excursions and tour vehicles.
The ability for fully vaccinated guests to go ashore in ports of call is controlled by the governments of the ports Princes Cruises visit, based on their specific COVID-19 protocols and requirements. These are subject to change. All ports allow fully vaccinated guests to go ashore with Princess Cruise shore excursions. Some ports may also allow tours by port-authorized third-party operators or independent tours and exploration. Please be aware that in select ports you may be required to take a shore excursion provided by Princess Cruises to go ashore.
It is recommend that you always carry your proof of vaccination and your negative COVID-19 test results from embarkation when going ashore. Currently, only Princess Cruise shore excursions are permitted in:
Bridgetown, Barbados
Roseau, Dominica (alternate stop)
Basseterre, St. Kitts
Castries, St. Lucia
Fully vaccinated guests can explore other destinations on their own or on independent third-party tours. This is subject to change at any time. Guests must follow the destination’s health guidelines at all times. CDC guidelines include wearing masks while indoors and during transportation, including water shuttles. We strongly recommend you choose Princess shore excursions as our teams are in contact with local officials who oversee health and safety standard for these guides and tours. You can pre-purchase shore excursions through Cruise Personalizer or on board using the MedallionClass app, digital portals, or stateroom TV, subject to availability and capacity restrictions. You must follow all COVID-19-related requirements, including physical distancing and mask-wearing, and stay with your cruise companions for the entire excursion. There could be additional restrictions based on local conditions. If your shore excursion is canceled by the company or the tour operator, or if you are denied from joining the tour, your shore excursion payment will be credited to your on-board account.
Unvaccinated guests will only be allowed to go ashore as permitted by local government and through shore excursions sold by or through Princess using tour operators who comply with Princess Cruises COVID-19 controls. Self-exploration or participation in shore excursions not sold through or operated by Princess Cruises will not be permitted.
If you or any members of your party refuse to comply with our COVID-19 policies and procedures, you won’t be allowed to board the ship after going ashore. Princess Cruises may also take other steps that, in their sole discretion, they feel are necessary to protect the health and safety of their guests and team mates. If this happens, you won’t be entitled to a refund, credit or compensation of any kind and will be responsible for all costs and fines, including (without limitation) travel expenses.
For more information about the Princess Cruise CruiseHealth™ click HERE