Crystal says it will require all guests to be fully inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to sailing when the cruise line resumes sailing in the Spring. Guests will need to provide proof of vaccination before embarkation and must have received both doses of the vaccine if recommended by the manufacturer by that timeline.
The vaccine requirement augments the company’s comprehensive Crustal Clean+4.0 measures, including negative COVID-19 tests for both guests and crew, temperature checks at the terminal prior to boarding, mask policy, social distancing guidelines, enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures, reduced capacity, and more.
“We are encouraged by the progress being made with the COVID-19 vaccines and what this means for our Crystal Family and the travel industry as a whole as we eagerly look forward to exploring the world again,” said Crystal’s interim president and CEO, Jack Anderson. “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 on board.
“This sentiment is underscored by conversations with our guests and travel partners and a recent Cruise Critic of cruisers that revealed that more than 80 percent of respondents would cruise if a vaccine were required.”
Currently, Crystal has voluntarily paused operations through May 2021 for its river fleet, into June for its ocean ships, through Aug. 1 for Crystal Esprit and through August for Crystal Endeavor, allowing most travellers sufficient time to get fully vaccinated before Crystal’s resumption of sailing.
Crystal’s crew, who hail from dozens of countries around the world, will be expected to be vaccinated as well when the company resumes sailing, however, this may not be a viable option for all crew members given their age and/or the availability of vaccines in their home countries.
“As part of the company’s Crystal Clean+ 4.0 measures, crew members will be tested for COVID-19 prior to leaving their home location to join the ship and must receive a negative result. They also will take a COVID-19 test at embarkation; quarantine for seven days upon arrival; be tested again at the end of that seven-day period and must receive a negative result before beginning their duties,” Anderson noted. “When vaccines are widely available, they will be a requirement of employment for crew which must be completed at least 14 days prior to service.”
In addition to providing verified documentation of their COVID-19 vaccine at the time of boarding, guests will complete an online form acknowledging this requirement before their cruise tickets will be issued.
Crystal has published a frequently asked questions document on the advisory alert section of its website for further reference.