Another Cruise Line Drops Testing Requirements on Select Sailings

Holland America has dropped the COVID-19 testing requirements for select sailings aboard its newest ship, Rotterdam.

In an email to booked guests, the line said “As health protocols around the world continue to evolve, we are adjusting our policies to align with those of the countries we visit. As a result, you are no longer required to undergo pre-cruise COVID-19 testing or produce a negative test result at embarkation for this cruise.”

In an email to travel advisors, Holland America said that the policy change applies to the sailings departing July 10, July 17, and July 24. These itineraries all depart from Amsterdam, Netherlands, and visit a variety of ports in Norway.

rotterdam half moon cay holland america aerial
Rotterdam off the coast of Half Moon Cay

The cruise line’s vaccination policy remains in place and unchanged; all guests 12 and older are required to be fully vaccinated. Passengers 18 and older must have their booster shot if the final dose of their original vaccination cycle was administered more than nine months (270 days) prior to the last day of the cruise.

MORE: Disney Wish Christened in Port Canaveral

Those who are unvaccinated, or who require a booster but do not have one, must request a vaccination exemption before the sailing and be approved by Holland America.

This move comes not long after fellow Carnival Corporation brand P&O Cruises also dropped the testing requirement for select sailings on its ship Iona.

P&O Cruises Iona
Iona (Photo courtesy of P&O Cruises)

As somewhat of a trial, the UK-based line removed all pre-departure COVID-19 testing for the June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, and July 23 voyages. Like Rotterdam, Iona is currently offering voyages to Norway.

In June, luxury cruise line Viking became the first major cruise brand to drop its pre and mid-cruise testing requirements almost entirely, except for on its ships Viking Orion and Viking Octantis.

Share this post

Send this to a friend
Hi, this may be of interest to you: Another Cruise Line Drops Testing Requirements on Select Sailings. This is the link: https://cruiseradio.net/holland-america-drops-testing-requirements-select-sailings/