Many people ask us at Civitavecchia Port: are there still cruises of the past (before Covid 19)? The cruises in which you went around the seas of the world and got off at every port. Where on board you jumped between buffets and pools, slides and karaoke, pecked between theaters and endless long drinks. Cruises where you posed with the captain, and at the gala you were ready to show off your best suit.
We at the Port of Civitavecchia answer: yes and no. Because unfortunately there are many limitations compared to pre-Covid cruises, but the cruise passenger is aware that he is in a sort of bubble, where the coronavirus is kept very far away. Going on a cruise today is the safest holiday!
Let’s see how the major cruise lines are adapting embarking protocols.
Covid rules for embarking MSC Cruises
On MSC Cruises you can only travel if you have a complete vaccination cycle certification. MSC Cruises has extended, starting from 4 December, the measures already adopted for winter travel in other regions to itineraries in the Mediterranean – therefore including the Port of Civitavecchia.
Guests on all ships in the fleet must be vaccinated against Covid-19 and carry out a Covid-19 test within 72 hours prior to the scheduled embarkation date. The new rule applies to all guests aged 12 and over, and adds to the existing health and safety measures introduced by MSC Cruises in summer 2020, which today form the basis of a protocol that has become a model worldwide.
Any booked guest who will not be fully vaccinated in time for their departure date can choose to postpone their MSC cruise to a later date or request a refund. It seems to us a very flexible and correct decision.
We at Civitavecchia Port believe that the Covid-19 test before boarding, in particular, constitutes an additional safety element that offers all guests and crew the highest level of protection.
Covid rules for embarking Celebrity Cruises
From February 1st, Celebrity Cruises will introduce additional security measures, even more stringent than MSC. In fact, the company will require coverage with a complete vaccination cycle even for children aged 5 and over to board their ships. For children under the age of 2 to 4 years, a negative response from the Covid-19 test performed before boarding will be required.
Celebrity Cruises is the second company, in chronological order, to adopt such a stringent protocol, after Disney Cruise Line, which established the vaccination requirement for children aged 5 and over for cruises from January 13, 2022 onwards. A choice made after the approval on November 2, 2021, by the CDC, of the use of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines for children aged 5 to 11.
Covid rules for embarking Royal Caribbean
The provisions panel is constantly evolving. Consider, for example, Royal Caribbean, which belongs to the same Group as Celebrity, currently allows unvaccinated children to sail, as MSC Cruises is regulating: for ages up to 11 you can get on board by presenting a Covid test negative.
Covid rules for embarking Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises
On the other hand, brands such as Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises allow children between 5 and 11 years old on board only if vaccinated, as a consequence of the choice of having only passengers with the complete vaccination cycle, without exception. The consequence is that, for these two companies, children under the age of 5 will not be able to board the ship. A decision that leaves us definitely surprised
