As of September 6, 2022, guests who are embarking on cruises with Windstar Cruises will no longer be required to have a negative pre-cruise COVID-19 test result. Windstar Cruises is the most recent cruise line to make this change.
The regulation is in place for all sailings, with the exception of itineraries that go to a few nations that currently demand testing procedures for all cruise passengers. Windstar Cruises is the most recent cruise line to modify its COVID-19 protocols for cruisers, no longer requiring a negative pre-cruise COVID-19 test result for guests embarking on cruises beginning September 6, 2022. These currently include Canada, Greece, Australia, and New Zealand, though these are subject to change.
The rule is in force for all sailings, with the exception of itineraries that visit a number of nations that at the moment demand testing for all cruise passengers. Included in these countries are Canada, Greece, Australia and New Zealand and are subject to change.
Prior to boarding, passengers and crew on a Windstar cruise itinerary must each show documentation of their current immunization status. Currently, Windstar Cruises does not permit travelers without a valid vaccination to embark on a voyage.
According to Chris Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises, “Safety and wellness are our top concerns, and these new measures will streamline the process of sailing with us on a fully vaccinated ship.”
Numerous major cruise lines and river cruise lines have already modified, in varied degrees, their COVID-19 testing and immunization processes.
Larger cruise lines like Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line are now welcoming unvaccinated passengers as long as they undergo a pre-boarding test and come back negative. Others are still cautious and set capacity restrictions.