Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has opted into the CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships Operating in U.S. Waters, which has replaced the expired Conditional Sailing Order.
Instead of being mandatory like the Conditional Sailing Order was, this new program is a voluntary COVID-19 mitigation program for foreign-flagged cruise ships.
The brands that are part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings — and have opted into the program — are Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
“The health and safety of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our number one priority. We have demonstrated this commitment since our return to service in July of last year, with protocols that exceeded those required by regulatory agencies, including 100% vaccination of guests and crew, universal testing of all guests prior to embarkation and routine testing of all crew,” said Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
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“Furthering our commitment to health and safety, with the expiration of the CDC’s Conditional Sail Order, our three brands have opted into the CDC’s voluntary Program, which provides the cruise industry with a set of operating provisions to protect the health and safety of guests and crew.”
“Our adoption of the voluntary Program provides guests, crew, travel partners and other stakeholders with the assurance that our brands will continue to meet and exceed the provisions laid out by the CDC and provide unparalleled health and safety protocols not found in any other sector of the travel and leisure space.”
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ SailSAFE Global Health and Wellness Council continues to advise the company on protocols to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Since their restart, all three cruise lines have adopted stringent protocols for their ships, including the requirement that all passengers be fully vaccinated to sail, regardless of their age.
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