A cruise company has notified passengers that, as of May 2021, vaccines will be required before they can board. This, of course, begs the question: will other cruise lines do the same soon and will the legality of such a change be challenged?
(Photo courtesy of Pixabay)
Without exceptions, across the board
In the United States, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO Frank Del Rio has admitted that the lines he oversees are examining the legal issues surrounding vaccine-related requirements.
And despite rumors to the contrary, Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald made it clear that the company he represents has made no announcement about the vaccine requirement.
But it was Britain-based Saga Cruises that became the first line to officially make vaccination a requirement before the trip.
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In making its announcement this week, Saga Cruises said passengers must have received both doses of the vaccine at least 14 days before departure.
Although the new rule took effect on January 20, 2021, the company has made it clear that it applies to all reservations made before that date.
On a page designed to answer questions about various scenarios that may arise – because he was vaccinated less than two weeks before only part of a travel group received the two necessary doses – Saga makes it clear that there will be no exceptions to the rule.
Under these scenarios, they offer to work with possible cruisers to reprogram their navigation.
Spirit of Discovery (rendering courtesy of Saga Cruises)
Those who are simply not interested in being vaccinated for any reason, will not be able to navigate under current guidelines.
“We decided not to allow a guest to travel with us if he chooses not to receive the vaccine,” explains the website. “Most of our guests fall into the age group at risk and our priority is their safety and well-being.”
What about the crew members?
Interestingly, Saga does not have a similar requirement for crew members. “Our focus in the first place is on our guests and on ensuring that they have all been vaccinated,” says the website. “We have comprehensive protocols in place to protect our crew, including quarantine and regular testing, and as soon as the crew can be vaccinated, they will be vaccinated.”
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Although the Saga decision on vaccinating passengers has no bearing on how things are going to go in America, it is important to note that many of the protocols that will be implemented in the US are similar to those already implemented in other countries.