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P&O Cruises Covid restrictions: What rules are onboard? What you can & can't do

Author: Harriet Mallinson

Published on: 05 January 2022

Updated on: 11 March 2022

P&O Cruises are back in full flow now but life onboard cruise ships is still very different to before Covid struck. What restrictions are in place on a P&O cruise?

P&O Cruises regularly updates its travel advice for holidaymakers to ensure all guests are fully prepared for life onboard the popular cruise lines' vessels.

Passengers now more than ever need to make sure they are ready for cruising, whether it's getting vaccinated or buying extra face masks.

P&O cruise holidays have strict requirements and it's vital travellers know what to expect so they are happy with their experience onboard and the trip goes smoothly.

This is everything you need to know about all the cruise rules and restrictions on P&O Cruises right now.

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Adults over 18 travelling up to and including 30 April 2022 must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to their holiday.

The line details: "Fully vaccinated can be either two doses of the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines or the single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine (approved by MHRA or WHO EUL)."

- READ MORE: Complete guide to cruise lines' vaccine policies -

Children aged 17 and under travelling to the Caribbean must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to the cruise while kids aged five to 17 sailing to all countries excluding the Caribbean and Mediterranean have the option to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to the holiday or provide a negative PCR result prior to sailing.

Little ones aged four and under travelling to all countries excluding the Caribbean, and children between five and eleven sailing to the Mediterranean, are able to travel providing parents/guardians meet the vaccine requirements

Passengers are required to show proof of vaccination status at the terminal before boarding, which will also be checked against their photo ID. This can be either in digital or printed format.

Do you need a Covid test for a P&O cruise?

All guests will require a negative COVID-19 test at the cruise terminal - provided free of charge.

P&O stipulates: "If you’re travelling with children aged between five and 17 years old who aren’t vaccinated, they will need to take a PCR test within 120 hours prior to travelling to the terminal (again, this will be complimentary).

"Please register with our service provider, Prenetics, and order a PCR pre-cruise testing kit for every unvaccinated guest aged between five and 17 years on your booking. Registration opens five weeks before sailing and closes six days before your embarkation date."

As for those flying to the Caribbean, guests setting sail in Southampton, "will complete a complimentary antigen test at the terminal and must pay for a PCR test on board within three days prior to arrival in Barbados."

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Do you need travel insurance for a P&O holiday?

All UK guests must have comprehensive cruise-specific travel insurance when they sail with P&O.

Insurance must include medical cover of £2million minimum and cover for emergency evacuations and medical expenses related to COVID-19.

You must also ensure your policy includes cover for repatriation, cancellation and curtailment and full cover for any and all pre-existing medical conditions worldwide, or as a minimum, in the countries you are due to visit.

"You’ll be asked to confirm you have travel insurance at the terminal/airport and you may need to provide proof of your policy," said P&O. Without this you risk being denied boarding.

Do you need to wear a face mask on P&O Cruises?

Guests are required to wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth (with no exemptions) in specific areas including the terminal, when moving around indoors on board and when seated in the theatre.

P&O says: "You’re free to remove your mask when seated elsewhere around the ship, when out on deck and when exercising. We’d always recommend you regularly clean your masks and choose a good quality, ideally medical grade, standard.

"Please note that visors and face shields aren’t accepted as a substitute for a face mask."

- READ MORE: Complete guide to cruise lines' face mask policies -

What life is like onboard P&O ships

Do you need to social distance on a p&o cruise.

Social distancing "should be practised throughout your holiday," explain P&O Cruises.

You're recommended to "keep a physical distance of at least one metre from guests outside of your travelling party."

The line asks travellers to not be in their cabin at the same time as the stewards cleaning the rooms. P&O also encourage guests to avoid using public toilets where possible (although these will be available).

Is there a buffet on P&O cruise ships?

The buffets and deck grills are available but they may be served by members of staff.

Restaurants and bars are all open but you will just need to pre-book a table in the restaurants or join a virtual queue while staff prepare your table.

- READ MORE: P&O reveals incredible escape room on new ship Arvia -

Can I go on shore excursions alone with P&O Cruises?

Guests can go to shore independently but must adhere to COVID-19 protocols.

P&O recommends purchasing shore excursions prior to travel to ensure you have the option to explore each city.

If for some reason the ship is no longer able to visit a certain port, they will spend another day at another port.

Are there muster drills on P&O cruise ships?

Muster drills are currently being carried out virtually. Passengers are directed to their muster station upon boarding the ship but emergency processes will be available to view via the safety video in cabins rather than in-person.

"The drills will include important health, well-being and safety information as well as the actions you would need to take in the unlikely event of an emergency, including a life jacket demonstration," says P&O.

- READ MORE: Inside P&O's Iona from entertainment to the distillery -

What can't you do on P&O Cruises?

The nursery and night nursery will not be in operation.

What's more, some spa facilities such as the Hydrotherapy pools and sauna may not be available. P&O advises visiting the spa reception for the latest updates.

There are also no professional photographers onboard for the time being.

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Coronavirus Updates

People should avoid cruise travel regardless of their vaccination status, the cdc says.

Jonathan Franklin

The Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Sunrise ship is seen in the port of Miami on Dec. 23, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

The Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Sunrise ship is seen in the port of Miami on Dec. 23, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new advisory Thursday that travelers should avoid traveling by cruise ship, regardless of vaccination status, after a recent surge in positive COVID-19 cases onboard ships.

The agency increased its travel warning for cruises to Level 4 — the highest level — following investigations of dozens of ships that have had outbreaks of the virus.

"Even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants," the CDC said on its website .

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Following the identification of the omicron variant, there has been an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases among cruise passengers and crew reported to the agency, the CDC said.

More cruise ships have reached "level yellow" — the level where the CDC investigates a ship's COVID outbreak.

"It is especially important that travelers who are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide, regardless of vaccination status," the agency added.

More cruise ships are under CDC investigation following COVID-19 outbreaks on board

There are 91 cruise ships currently under investigation or observation, according to the CDC website. However, the agency has not specified how many COVID-19 cases have been reported, according to The Associated Press .

An additional three ships are being monitored.

The CDC advised that those who choose to travel on a cruise should get vaccinated against COVID-19 before their trip and, if eligible, receive a booster dose.

In addition, masks should also be worn in shared spaces and passengers who are not fully vaccinated against COVID should self-quarantine for five days after travel, in addition to getting tested three to five days after their return, the CDC said.

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In an email to NPR, a spokesperson for the Cruise Lines International Association said the trade group was "disappointed" by the CDC's latest advisory against cruise ship travel.

"While we are disappointed and disagree with the decision to single out the cruise industry—an industry that continues to go above and beyond compared to other sectors—CLIA and our ocean-going cruise line members remain committed to working collaboratively with the CDC in the interest of public health and safety," the trade group said .

Most cruise lines require adult passengers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19, according to AP.

For now, CDC guidanc e allows cruise ships to relax measures — such as mask usage — if at least 95% of passengers and 95% of the cruise ship crew are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

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Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing

A guide to every major cruise line's health requirements for safe sailing.

Cruise lines have shifted their requirements for passengers, making cruising accessible to practically everyone. Many popular cruise lines have eliminated the vaccine and pre-embarkation test as the industry is beginning to shift away from mandatory vaccines and testing.

The changes began shortly after the CDC ended a pandemic-era policy of publicly displaying COVID-19 cases onboard, different cruise lines to the public in July 2022. For those looking to check current COVID-19 trends onboard the CDC urges direct contact with the cruise line, and the organization will continue to monitor and offer guidelines to ships.

Below, we break down each line's list of regulations to sail as well as what travelers need to know to plan.

American Queen Voyages

Where they sail:

American Queen Voyages is known for its Mississippi River cruises as well as sailings down other U.S. rivers like the Columbia and Snake rivers, using classic paddle wheeler ships for a throwback, romantic vibe.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew must be fully vaccinated (14 days after their final shot).

What other safety measures are in place: Luggage is then disinfected before being brought onto the ship and staterooms cleaned with electrostatic fogging.

Find out more : American Queen Voyages

Avalon Waterways

Where they sail: These small-ship river cruises sail throughout Europe, Asia, South America, and down the Nile River in Egypt.

Who needs the vaccine: All international travelers from the U.S. must be fully vaccinated before boarding. Beginning March 2023 the vaccine is no longer required (but strongly encouraged).

What other safety measures are in place: All guests will undergo a health screening upon arrival and luggage will be disinfected. Avalon will provide COVID-19 testing for travelers who need to show proof of a negative test to return home at no extra cost. Depending on the location of the cruise a pre-departure COVID-19 test may or may not be required.

Find out more: Avalon Waterways

Where they sail : Azamara sails mid-size ships all over the world, to all seven continents.

Who needs the vaccine : All guests and crew 12 and older will be required to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before boarding a ship. Beginning Dec. 1, 2022, the company plans to drop the vaccine requirement for departures from the U.S. and Europe.

What other safety measures are in place : Depending on the port of embarkation guests may or may not to pre-test to travel. For a full list of ports and whether they require a test guests can check online .

Azamara's ships have been upgraded with new HVAC filtration systems, and EPA-certified disinfectants are used to clean the ship.

Find out more : Azamara

Carnival Cruises

Where they sail: Carnival sails large ships around the world, including popular trips to the Caribbean. The company sailed its maiden voyage on the Mardi Gras out of Florida in July.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are encouraged to be vaccinated but unvaccinated travelers, or vaccinated guests without proof of vaccination, will have to present the negative results of a PCR or antigen test taken no earlier than 3 days before sailing.

What other safety measures are in place: For cruises five days or less, there will no longer be pre-cruise testing for vaccinated passengers unless a specific port requires it. Itineraries including Bahamas, Bermuda, or Grand Cayman will still be required to test. All guests will also be required to fill out a health screening 72 hours before embarkation and undergo health screenings prior to boarding. Unvaccinated travelers on a cruise to Bermuda will be required to purchase travel insurance (children under 12 are exempt as long as they are traveling with vaccinated parents).

Both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests who have recovered from COVID-19 within three months of their sailing date, do not need the required pre-cruise COVID test before embarkation, only if they are at least 10 days past their COVID-19 infection, have no symptoms and present documentation of recovery from COVID-19 from their healthcare provider.

Find out more: Carnival Cruise Line

Celebrity Cruises

Where they sail: Celebrity Cruises sails all over the world.

Who needs the vaccine: The vaccine is no longer required to sail on cruises from the U.S. and Europe. A vaccine is required for sailings visiting Canada.

What other safety measures are in place: A pre-embarkation test is no longer required for vaccinated guests on sailings nine days or less. Unvaccinated passengers will still be required to test three days prior to sailing. Self-tests are acceptable from European and U.S. ports that don't stop in Bermuda or Canada.

Find out more : Celebrity Cruises

Where they sail: Cunard, which sails all over the world, is known for its transatlantic journeys aboard the Queen Mary 2.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests 18 and older must be fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated passengers under 18 will be required to undergo a PCR test within 72 hours of their departure.

What other safety measures are in place: Cunard has "enhanced" their onboard ventilation systems and implemented mandatory mask-wearing policies indoors. All guests aged 4 and older are required to have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding. Crew will be tested regularly while on board. Guests who have certain pre-existing medical conditions, including those who are on supplementary oxygen, will not be allowed to board.

Find out more: Cunard

Disney Cruise Line

Where they sail: Disney sails family-friendly journeys including to the Caribbean, Europe, and Alaska.

Who needs the vaccine: Vaccination is no longer required by highly suggested.

What other safety measures are in place: Unvaccinated guests must provide results of a COVID-19 test taken 1 to 2 days before sail date, at home tests are not accepted. The Cruise line also has a full list of enhanced cleaning protocols.

Find out more: Disney Cruise Line

Grand Circle Cruise Line

Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot.

What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air (HEPA) filters and buffets have been eliminated. The cruise line states some itineraries will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel , and that instructors will be sent out 30 days prior to travel.

Find out mor e: Grand Circle Cruise Line

Holland America

Where they sail: Holland America sails large ships all over the world, including to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Europe, and more.

Who needs the vaccine: Unvaccinated guests are welcome but will be required to self-test three days before cruising.

What other safety measures are in place: Vaccinated passengers traveling on ships for less than 16 days excluding itineraries with the Panama Canal, trans-ocean, and other selected itineraries will no longer be required to test.

Find out more: Holland America

Lindblad Expeditions

Where they sail: Lindblad Expeditions is known for its adventurous trips to hard-to-reach destinations like Antarctica and the Russian Far East, partnering with National Geographic to add to the experience.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests 12 and older need to be vaccinated before boarding. Boosters are recommended but not required.

What other safety measures are in place: Pre-departure testing will not be required unless for a specific destination.

Find out more : Lindblad Expeditions

Margaritaville at Sea

Where they sail: Margaritaville at Sea offers 3-day cruises to Grand Bahama Island departing from the port of Palm Beach. The cruise line also offers the opportunity to take the ship one way to the Bahamas to allow guests to stay at the Margaritaville resort, and then take the ship back to the Bahamas at a later date.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are welcome regardless of vaccination status, according to the cruise line.

What other safety measures are in place: All crew members must be vaccinated for COVID-19 and the cruise line states there are vaccination requirements on board (but does not specify).

Find out more: Margaritaville at Sea

MSC Cruises

Where they sail: MSC Cruises sails large ocean cruises around the world, including throughout Europe, South America, the Persian Gulf, and the Caribbean. In August, the company started sailing to the Bahamas with a stop at its private island, Ocean Cay.

Who needs the vaccine: Vaccinations are recommended but no longer required.

What other safety measures are in place: Fully-vaccinated passengers are no longer required to show proof of a negative test unless it is required of the destination. Unvaccinated children must show proof of a negative PCR test.

Find out more: MSC Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line

Where they sail: Norwegian sails big ocean cruises all around the world, including popular itineraries all throughout the Caribbean and Greece.

Who needs the vaccine: All passengers may sail regardless of vaccination status.

What other safety measures are in place: Testing is no longer required for any passenger regardless of vaccination status with the exception of local government mandates.

Find out more : Norwegian Cruise Line

Oceania Cruises

Where they sail: Oceania Cruises sails all over the world, including offering several World Cruise itineraries.

Who needs the vaccine: All passengers regardless of vaccination status are allowed to sail.

What other safety measures are in place: Only unvaccinated guests will be required to show proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken 72 hours prior to boarding. Unvaccinated children aged 12 years and younger are exempt.

Find out more : Oceania Cruises

P&O Cruises

Where they sail: The UK-based cruise line sails around Europe, including to the Canary Islands, as well as to the Caribbean from Southampton in the UK.

Who needs the vaccine: Although P&O Cruises' policy states that passengers over the age of 15 are required to be vaccinated, the latest update on its website says guests will be contacted directly in regards to vaccination protocol.

What other safety measures are in place: All guests are required to undergo a COVID-19 test at the terminal. Masks will be required on board indoors, and all shore excursions will be with vetted operators.

Find out more : P&O Cruises

Princess Cruises

Where they sail: The global cruise line sails large ocean ships all around the world, from Australia to Alaska.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are welcome on board, but unvaccinated passengers will be required to test and may need an additional medical exemption at some ports.

Find out more : Princess Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Where they sail: Regent Seven Seas offers all-inclusive luxury cruises around the globe, which include perks like free airfare, free excursions, and complimentary unlimited drinks on board.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are now welcome. Unvaccinated passengers will be required to test 3-days before embarkation.

What other safety measures are in place: Pre-departure testing may not be necessary depending on the port. Currently cruises leaving from Bermuda, Canada, and Greece will require a test.

Find out more : Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Royal Caribbean International

Where they sail: Royal Caribbean sails large ocean ships all over the world, including many popular itineraries throughout the Caribbean and Asia.

Who needs the vaccine: Everyone is welcome regardless of vaccination status, passengers traveling to Bermuda or Canada are required to be vaccinated.

W hat other safety measures are in place: Vaccinated travelers will no longer need a negative test on sailings shorter than 10 nights. Unvaccinated travelers aged 5 and older will need to take a test within 3 days of boarding. Self-administered tests are accepted.

Find out more : Royal Caribbean International

Where they sail: The British cruise line, exclusively for guests 50 and older, sails both ocean and river cruises around the globe.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests must be fully vaccinated, including a booster shot at least 14 days before boarding a ship. Saga was the first major cruise line to implement this vaccination policy.

What other safety measures are in place: Ocean Cruise guests will be required to get tested for COVID-19 in the terminal. Masks are required on bus transfers, in hotels, and on excursions.

Find out more : Saga

Where they sail: Seabourn's mid-size luxury cruises head all around the world, from Alaska to the Caribbean.

Who needs the vaccine: Vaccinations are not required on most cruise itineraries, unvaccinated guests will be required to present a negative test taken within three days of embarkation.

What other safety measures are in place: Masks are recommended onboard in most indoor venues and the casinos are frequently sanitized.

Find out more : Seabourn

Where they sail: Silversea brings guests all around the world in luxury and style , including to the Galapagos and Antarctica .

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are welcome, however, unvaccinated guests may not be welcome on all sailings depending on local regulations.

What other safety measures are in place: Vaccinated guests do not need a pre-departure test unless local regulations such as cruises leaving from Australia, Bermuda, Canada, or Greece require it. Unvaccinated travelers will need a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of embarkation.

Find out more : Silversea

UnCruise Adventures

Where they sail: This small-ship company is known for its Alaska journeys as well as adventures in places like the Galapagos and island hopping in Hawaii.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests 12 and older must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before boarding. At least one booster is required to sail.

What other safety measures are in place: Guests are not required, but requested to test before departing from home (this policy is subject to change as COVID-19 trends change,) as the company states passengers should test to "be a good citizen". Each ship can perform rapid molecular tests on board. The cruise states they will not visit any destinations where vaccine rates are low.

Masks are required in public spaces, according to the company "bandana" and "buff" face masks will not be accepted.

Find out more : UnCruise Adventures

Victory Cruise Lines

Where they sail: Victory Cruise Lines is known for its Great Lakes cruises, providing all-inclusive sailings to see breathtaking sights from Niagara Falls to the iconic architecture of Chicago from Lake Michigan. Beyond the U.S., Victory Cruise Lines sails to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew will be required to be vaccinated before boarding, and will be required to show physical proof prior to boarding.

What other safety measures are in place: Testing is no longer required on any river cruise.

Luggage is then disinfected before being brought onto the ship and staterooms cleaned with electrostatic fogging. Masks will be required during the embarkation process and while riding a shore excursion bus, but will not be required on board.

Find out more : Victory Cruise Lines

Viking Cruises

Where they sail: Viking sails ocean and river cruises all over the world, including throughout Europe. This summer, Viking will sail several voyages, including around England for UK residents, to Bermuda, and to Iceland in June.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests must be fully vaccinated to board a ship. Guests who are eligible must have a booster.

What other safety measures are in place: In addition to vaccines, all guests may be required to undergo a saliva PCR test at embarkation as well as "frequent" testing throughout the journey. All staterooms are equipped with independent air handling units.

Find out more : Viking Cruises

Virgin Voyages

Where they sail: The brand-new cruise line is launching mini sailings from England for UK residents, and has cruises throughout the Caribbean, and transatlantic options.

Who needs the vaccine: All are welcome regardless of vaccination status, unvaccinated passengers must have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of embarkation.

What other safety measures are in place: Virgin Voyages was the first cruise line to eliminate pre-departure testing for vaccinated guests. The cruise line will continue to work with an advisory board to help ensure health and safety on board at all times, including the use of air filtration systems and sanitization of high touch surface areas.

Find out more : Virgin Voyages

Windstar Cruises

Where they sail: Windstar operates small-ship cruises and several sailing vessels all around the globe, including to places like Central America .

Who needs the vaccine: All guests will be required to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before boarding one of Windstar's yachts. Boosters are highly encouraged and are recommended to be administered at least one week prior to travel.

What other safety measures are in place: Guests no longer need a pre-embarkation test unless a specific destination requires it.

Find out more : Windstar Cruises

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

Related Articles

There's COVID-19 on nearly every cruise ship right now: Here's what cruisers need to know

Things are getting iffy again for cruisers -- at least for those with near-term bookings.

The ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases around the world is causing a growing number of disruptions to itineraries and even some last-minute cancellations of entire voyages.

The number of passengers being quarantined on ships (after testing positive for COVID-19) also is on the rise. And passengers who aren't COVID-19 positive are getting caught up in short-term quarantines for being "close contacts" of shipmates who are.

For more cruise guides, tips and news, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Meanwhile, just getting to ships is becoming increasingly stressful, as getting the pre-cruise COVID-19 test that's often required before cruising is getting more difficult . Plus, a "perfect storm" of soaring COVID-19 cases and rough winter weather has wreaked havoc with airline operations for weeks.

Still, the situation isn't anywhere near as dramatic or disruptive as what we saw at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago, when whole ships were being quarantined due to outbreaks of the illness and, eventually, the entire industry shut down.

As I saw myself during a cruise to Antarctica in recent weeks, many sailings are operating relatively normally, even when there are COVID-19 cases on board.

Here's a look at everything you need to know if you've got a cruise booked in the coming weeks -- or further out.

COVID-19 cases on ships are up a lot

While cruise ships have recorded relatively few cases of COVID-19 over the past year, in part due to unusually strict health protocols , the number of passengers and crew testing positive on ships has been rising sharply in recent weeks along with the greater surge on land.

At the end of December, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 5,013 COVID-19 cases had been reported on cruise vessels operating in U.S. waters during the last two weeks of the month, up from just 162 cases during the first two weeks of the month.

That's a 3,094% increase.

Anecdotal reports are that the number of cases on ships is up even more in the first 10 days of the new year.

Notably, all 92 cruise vessels currently operating in U.S. waters have recorded at least a handful of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, according to CDC data.

Still, it's important to note that most of these "cases" of COVID-19 are asymptomatic or mild, only discovered during routine testing. While some ships only are testing passengers who report feeling ill for COVID-19 (and close contacts of those who subsequently test positive), other ships are testing every single passenger at least once per voyage, sometimes more. One line, Viking , is testing every single passenger for COVID-19 every day.

Cruise lines also are testing all crew members regularly.

The result is the detection of many asymptomatic cases that otherwise would have gone undetected. This is a level of surveillance that is much greater than what is the norm for other travel venues such as land-based resorts or theme parks, and it can give the false impression that the positivity rate for COVID-19 on ships is unusually high as compared to other places.

If anything, the positivity rate is far lower on ships than on land, thanks to much stricter health protocols (more on that in a moment).

It's also important to note that the detection of COVID-19-positive passengers or crew on board your ship won't necessarily impact your sailing (unless you are among those testing positive).

Health authorities no longer are quarantining whole ships when a few -- or even a lot -- of passengers and crew test positive for COVID-19. The current protocol on most ships is to isolate COVID-19-positive passengers and crew but otherwise continue on with voyages as planned.

Your itinerary could change

While health authorities no longer are quarantining whole ships when a few passengers or crew test positive for COVID-19, the presence of the illness on board a vessel still could result in notable disruptions to your itinerary.

Cruise lines in recent weeks have faced a growing number of ports that are balking at allowing ships with COVID-19-positive passengers or crew to dock.

Several ships recently had to skip port calls in Mexico , for instance, after passengers and crew on board the vessels tested positive for COVID-19. The ports have since reopened after Mexico's Health Department overruled the decisions of local port officials.

Cruise ships also have had to cancel stops recently at the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, and at San Juan, Puerto Rico, due to local worries about COVID-19-positive passengers and crew on board and/or tighter COVID-19-related entry requirements.

Lines also are dealing with a small but growing number of destinations -- India and Hong Kong, for example -- that are at least temporarily closing to cruising completely, even for ships where no one has tested positive for COVID-19.

Viking on Sunday was forced to announce a major revision of its soon-to-begin, 120-day world cruise after India notified the line it was closing to cruise ships. Viking's 930-passenger Viking Star will begin its world cruise this week by heading south from Los Angeles to Central America and South America instead of sailing westward toward Asia, where it was scheduled to spend a significant amount of time in India.

Your cruise could be canceled on short notice

A growing number of cruise lines are canceling sailings on short notice, citing the disruptions caused by COVID-19. The world's largest cruise operator Royal Caribbean on Friday canceled soon-to-depart sailings on four of its 25 ships, including the next three departures of the world's largest ship, Symphony of the Seas .

Norwegian Cruise Line on Wednesday canceled soon-to-depart voyages on eight of its 17 ships.

Other lines canceling one or more sailings in recent days include Holland America , Silversea , Atlas Ocean Voyages, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, MSC Cruises , Costa Cruises and Oceania Cruises .

The cancellations come as lines struggle to maintain adequate staffing levels on some ships due to crew members testing positive. When crew test positive, they and their close contacts must stop working and isolate, even if asymptomatic, leaving shipboard venues short-staffed.

You probably won't be quarantined, stranded or stuck

As noted above, health authorities no longer are quarantining whole ships when a few -- or even a lot -- of passengers and crew test positive for COVID-19.

The current protocol on most ships is to quickly isolate COVID-19-positive passengers and their close contacts. But only the COVID-19-positive passengers are being isolated long term.

As my colleague Ashley Kosciolek experienced first-hand on a cruise in 2021, close contacts only are being isolated for a short period while they are tested for COVID-19. If they test negative, they typically are allowed out of their rooms to rejoin the rest of their fellow cruisers on board.

This means that many sailings are going ahead as planned, with little disruption, even when some passengers and crew on the trips test positive for COVID-19. I experienced this myself in late December when on a Silversea vessel where four passengers tested positive for COVID-19. Some passengers who were deemed close contacts of the passengers who tested positive were isolated for a short period while being tested for COVID-19. But the positive cases had little impact on most of the passengers on board the vessel, and the voyage went ahead as planned.

Such a protocol comes at the recommendation of the CDC, which has set guidelines for how cruise lines should respond to COVID-19-positive cases on board ships, and it has worked well for the past year .

Of course, if you do test positive for COVID-19 on a ship, you will, unfortunately, face what could be several days of isolation in a cabin on a ship or on land. If you are an American cruising overseas, you also won't be able to return to the U.S. until you have tested negative for COVID-19 (or until you recover from the illness and are cleared in writing to travel by a licensed healthcare provider or a public health official).

This is one of the biggest risks of taking a cruise right now, and one reason you may consider canceling a sailing scheduled in the short term (see the section on more-flexible cancellation policies below).

Most COVID-19 cases on ships aren't serious

Cruise lines are reporting that the vast majority of passengers testing positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms.

All major cruise lines currently are requiring all or nearly all passengers to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, with some also starting to require booster shots , to boot. This creates an onboard population that is far less likely to experience serious symptoms of COVID-19 than a cross-section of people on land, according to CDC data.

For all adults ages 18 years and older, the cumulative COVID-19-associated hospitalization rate is about eight times higher in unvaccinated persons than in vaccinated persons, according to the latest CDC data.

You'll face lots of new health protocols

If you haven't cruised since before the pandemic, you might be surprised by how many new health- and safety-related policies cruise lines have implemented to keep COVID-19 off ships.

For starters, there are the vaccine mandates noted above. No other segment of the travel industry has been as uniform in requiring almost every customer to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Related: Will I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? A line-by-line guide

As noted above, cruise lines also are requiring passengers to undergo COVID-19 tests before boarding ships -- a screening process that is keeping many COVID-19 positive people from ever stepping on board a vessel.

When COVID-19 is detected on a ship, cruise lines sometimes then test passengers multiple times to ensure it isn't spreading. On my recent trip to Antarctica, I underwent six COVID-19 tests in just eight days -- three in advance of stepping on board the vessel (including a PCR test required by Chile, where my trip began) and three while on board.

In addition, most cruise lines now are requiring passengers to wear masks at all times while in interior spaces of vessels, and they have stepped up cleaning regimens, improved air filtration systems on ships and made other onboard changes.

The CDC says to avoid cruising for now

On Dec. 30, the CDC added cruise ships to its list of "Level 4" destinations you should avoid visiting for now due to high levels of COVID-19.

For what it's worth, more than 80 countries around the world -- including a good chunk of all the places you might want to travel -- are on this list. So, the CDC is basically telling you that now isn't a good time to travel. Fair enough. But the warning shouldn't be seen as a call-out on any elevated risk to cruising as opposed to visiting other places, per se.

Places on the Level 4 list currently include Canada, much of Europe and nearly every country in the Caribbean.

The cruise industry has been highly critical of the designation, arguing that cruise ships are far safer places to be right now than almost anywhere else, given their strict health protocols.

"The decision by the CDC to raise the travel level for cruise is particularly perplexing considering that cases identified on cruise ships consistently make up a very slim minority of the total population onboard — far fewer than on land — and the majority of those cases are asymptomatic or mild in nature, posing little to no burden on medical resources onboard or onshore," the main trade group for the industry, the Cruise Lines International Association, said in a statement to TPG.

You can cancel if you're worried (in many cases)

If you're booked on a cruise in the coming weeks, and you're having second thoughts, there's a good chance you can get out of your trip. Many lines continue to be far more flexible than normal about cancellations.

Take cruise giant Carnival Cruise Line . Its current flexible cancellation policy allows passengers to cancel as long as a public health emergency remains in effect and receive 100% of the cruise fare paid in the form of a future cruise credit. Passengers are also able to cancel if they test positive for COVID-19. (Proof of a positive test result is required.)

Another large line, Norwegian, just last week extended its pandemic-era Peace of Mind policy to allow passengers to cancel any sailing taking place between now and May 31. For now, the cancellation needs to be done by Jan. 31, and the refund would come in the form of a future cruise credit to be used on any sailing that embarks through Dec. 31.

That means you could call the line right now to back out of a cruise that is just days away. In normal times, you'd lose all your money if you backed out of a seven-night Norwegian cruise with fewer than 31 days' notice.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• What to pack for your first cruise

'Less ships, means less visits' but tourism operators still bullish on Great Lakes cruises

Killarney expecting 7 cruiseship stops this summer, compared to 17 in 2023.

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There will be a lot fewer cruise ships out on the Great Lakes this summer.

This after a couple of the companies that were offering tours with multiple stops in northern Ontario have gone out of business.

For example, Killarney is expecting seven cruise ship stops this year compared with 17 in 2023.

But those in the business say there's no cause for alarm.

• Cruise ship tourists flocking to the Great Lakes, northern Ontario ports
• Viking Cruises adds Killarney to its new Great Lakes Expedition route

"Cruising is a cyclical industry, as is any branch of the tourism industry," said Stephen Burnett, executive director of the Great Lakes Cruise Association. 

"What we're looking at is a temporary dip, it's similar to any business and any industry, you have ups and downs, but in the long run you have an upward curve."

He says three ships that used to serve the Great Lakes have been taken off the water, but he expects two of them will be refurbished and return in the future. 

And Burnett says he's in talks with five other cruise lines that are "all eyeing the Great Lakes."

Bruce O'Hare, who is based in Little Current and works for a company called Lakeshore Excursions catering to cruise ship tourists across the continent, is also confident business will bounce back. 

"Less ships, means less visits, means less excursions in the markets, but we've been doing this for 20 years and we've seen ups and downs in this business before," O'Hare said. 

"It's just a function of an industry that really had no revenue for two years during COVID and when interest rates went from two and three per cent to nine and 10 per cent, it's a function of the way business works."

• More cruise ships on the Great Lakes spurs environmental unease
• Thunder Bay's ready for busy cruise ship season with more ships on the horizon

O'Hare and Burnett see a bright future for northern Ontario ports as well, in particular, more adventure-focused excursions on Lake Superior tailored to younger, more active cruisers. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Erik White is a CBC journalist based in Sudbury. He covers a wide range of stories about northern Ontario. Connect with him on Twitter @erikjwhite. Send story ideas to [email protected]

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The Most-Loved Cruise Ships That Were Scrapped From The Seas

Posted: May 9, 2024 | Last updated: May 9, 2024

Out of service cruise ships

The cruise industry navigated some very choppy waters during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic. While many have drifted back out to sea, some of our most-loved ships have been taken out of service, sold or scrapped entirely. Is your favorite on our list?

Read on to discover the once-beloved cruise ships that are no longer sailing...

Built in 1991 for Royal Caribbean and known as Monarch of the Seas, this vessel was the largest ship afloat at the time of her launch, accommodating around 2,744 passengers. The first ship in the fleet to be fitted with balconies, the groundbreaking facilities included a basketball court, shuffleboard courts and even a rock climbing wall, installed after a refit in 2003. 

Launched in January 1988, Sovereign began life as Royal Caribbean’s Sovereign of the Seas, sailing Caribbean itineraries including stops at Coco Cay (once called Little Stirrup Cay), the line’s private island. The largest cruise ship in the world at the time and regarded a ‘megaship', it was the first to flaunt a multi-deck atrium with glass elevators and sweeping staircases. 

In 2008, the ship was transferred to Pullmantur and renamed MS Sovereign. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pullmantur requested to be liquidated and Sovereign was beached in Aliaga, Turkey next to its sister Monarch, with the scrapping completed in February 2021.

Carnival Fantasy

Drawing passengers from across the globe, Carnival Cruise Line owns some of the world's most exciting ships, but the Miami-based operator has sold or scrapped four vessels in the last few years. One of the most beloved was Carnival Fantasy. Entering service in 1990 and the first of Carnival’s Fantasy Class of eight ships, she broke the mold with her revolutionary interior that included a huge atrium. Groundbreaking when launched, this 70,367-tonne, 855-foot long vessel would be dwarfed by today's megaships but still had a 30-year career sailing around the Western Caribbean and Mexico from Miami, and more recently from Mobile, Alabama. 

Carnival Fascination

Built in the early 1990s and designed by renowned ship architect Joe Farcus, the interior of the fourth ship in Carnival’s Fantasy Class evoked the golden age of Hollywood. Originally sailing out of New York, for most of its service its home port was San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

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In July 2020, Carnival announced its exit from the fleet and the ship was sold and renamed the Century Harmony. However, despite plans to become a floating hotel, the ship was sold to a Singaporean trading company which sold her off for scrap metal. She arrived at the Gadani ship-breaking yard in Pakistan in February 2022 where workers stripped her down. Only her empty hull remains with just the bow thrusters visible. 

Carnival Imagination

Also debuting in the mid-1990s, the 2,594-passenger Carnival Imagination boasted a ‘classical and mythological’ interior featuring Venetian glass and Medusa heads, thanks to architect Joe Farcus’s vision. Later refits saw the addition of a water park and golf putting course and Imagination was the first Carnival ship with a 24-hour pizzeria.

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Following Carnival’s downsizing strategy for four of the Fantasy Class ships due to COVID-19, Imagination arrived in Aliaga, Turkey, in autumn 2020 to be scrapped.

Carnival Inspiration

Built in 1987, the 650-passenger Astor was a traditionally-styled ship with teak wood decks and it had a loyal following in Europe, South Africa and Australia. In 2013, Astor sailed for Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) under charter for the Australian market, before becoming a permanent member of the fleet in 2014.

The ship was set to be renamed the Jules Verne and operate Northern European cruises from France in April 2021. However, Cruise & Maritime Voyages collapsed and was placed into administration in July 2020 and Astor was sold for just $1.7 million. In November 2020 she was beached in Turkey and has since been completely scrapped.

Black Watch

Launched in the early 1970s, the 804-passenger Black Watch was originally owned by Royal Viking Line. With its generous promenade and public spaces, it was once considered among the most luxurious ships in the world. 

After briefly sailing for Kloster Cruises in the 1980s, the ship was transferred to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) in the 1990s and sailed out of New York. NCL sold her to Fred Olsen in 1996 when the ship was renamed Black Watch in honor of an infantry battalion of the Scottish military. In August 2020, Black Watch was sold as an accommodation ship intended for workers, however that contract fell through. Ownership changed numerous times before the ship was eventually beached in Alang, India in 2022 and scrapped.

Sister ship to Black Watch, Boudicca also began its life with Royal Viking Line, having first set sail in 1973. In the early 1990s, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) purchased the ship and a couple of years later it was chartered to Princess Cruises, sailing as Golden Princess. More owners followed before Fred Olsen acquired her in 2005. 

In 2018, Boudicca’s interior and passenger cabins underwent a major upgrade but sadly the ship followed in its sister’s wake and was sold as an accommodation vessel in 2020. Again, those plans fell through and she was beached then scrapped in Aliaga, Turkey in 2021. Boudicca will be remembered for her lively entertainment and flamboyant seasonal stops – such as at the flower festival on the Portuguese island of Madeira pictured here – and also for her poignant cruises, including a one-day special for D Day veterans of the Second World War in June 2019. 

Usually adults-only, the ship was known for its varied dining spots, friendly service and world cruise itineraries. But following CMV's collapse in July 2020, Columbus was sold at auction for an unknown sum. Bought by a Greek ferry operator she was then sold on again, with the Alang scrapyard in India her final port of call in 2021.

Costa Victoria

Starting life in the mid-1980s as Carnival Cruise Lines’ MS Holiday, Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Magellan was a small but much-loved ship with British cruise fans thanks to its affordable itineraries departing from Tilbury port, near London, UK. 

Originally built in the 1960s for the Soviet Union's Baltic Shipping Company and first known as the Aleksandra Pushkin, the Marco Polo was one of the last surviving ocean liners built for transatlantic crossings. Designed to withstand broken ice, in her later years the Marco Polo made regular trips to Antarctica. 

Ocean Dream

There were also dalliances with P&O Australia and Pullmantur Cruises, before being transferred to Japanese-based Peace Boat in 2012 and used for their educational and sustainable voyages. The ship sailed as the Ocean Dream until 2020, before she was reported as scrapped in Alang, India in January 2021. 

When CMV went into administration in 2020, Astoria was put up for auction in February 2021 and it seemed likely she would never sail again. Hope was on the horizon when it seemed she'd been spared the scrapyard after a cryptocurrency billionaire took an interest in buying her, but plans fell through. In 2023 it was reported she was docked in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, awaiting her final voyage to be scrapped.

The Horizon began life in 1990 as part of the Celebrity Cruises fleet, and featured 721 cabins, a Broadway-style show lounge and two pools. In 2005 it became Island Cruises’ Island Star before transferring back to Royal Caribbean and then to its Spanish-owned subsidiary Pullmantur in 2008. 

Marella Celebration

Built in 1984 as Holland America Line’s MS Noordam, Marella Celebration was bought by Thomson in 2005 and continued to sail as Thomson Celebration. Many of the ship's original features were retained including teak decks and artwork dating from the 16th century. When the company was reborn as Marella Cruises in 2017, the 1,250-passenger ship became Marella Celebration. However, there was no celebrating to be done when the vessel left the fleet in April 2020. In 2022, it was confirmed beached ready for scrapping.

Marella Dream

The Marella Dream was built in 1986 as the last new ship for the now defunct Italian firm Home Lines. Two years later, the ship became Holland America Line's MS Westerdam, briefly becoming a movie star in the 1990s comedy Out to Sea which starred Walter Matthau. The ship was transferred to Costa Cruises in 2002 and entered service for Thomson in 2010, before being renamed as Marella Dream in 2017. In October 2020 it was withdrawn from service and sat anchored in Greece for two years before being beached then scrapped in Aliaga, Turkey.

Grand Celebration

The 1,500-passenger Grand Celebration was more than a cruise ship – she also helped the people of Grand Bahama Island during the devastating events caused by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. However, the ship was sold for scrap during the COVID-19 pandemic and headed for the Alang shipyard in India at the end of 2020.  

Now discover where cruise ships, planes, trains and cars go to die

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