Pandemic-related policies continue to evolve for all travel providers, and for cruise lines, pre-disembarkation remains a vital part of service, as many guests require negative COVID tests for onward travel once they disembark.
This is particularly important for Canadian travelers, as they need negative PCR tests to re-enter Canada, and the wait time for PCR test results is usually much longer than for antigen tests. If they are not tested while still on the ship, and have to find access to tests after disembarkation and wait for results, they may not be able to fly home on the day of disembarkation.
Over the weekend, Celebrity Cruises updated its policies testing for disembarking guests requiring tests for onward travel, or for back-to-back cruising onboard. National Director of Market Sales for Canada, Allan Brooks, shared this statement with Open Jaw:
"We recently reached out to provide an update for our international guests requiring home country re-entry COVID-19 testing as well as testing for guests sailing on back-to-back cruises. At this time, we would like to provide some additional clarification.
Currently all fully vaccinated guests requiring a COVID-19 test to return to their home country will be provided the option to receive complimentary testing onboard prior to disembarkation. Proof of return travel scheduled within 24 hours of disembarkation will be required.
We are pleased to clarify this offering will continue for all existing bookings.
As of Tuesday, November 16, 2021, for new bookings, home country re-entry testing will be available onboard for a fee of $55 per person for an Antigen test or $95 per person for a PCR test.
Guests sailing on back-to-back cruises must show proof of vaccination and are required to take a COVID-19 test producing negative results between each sailing. Guests who are not fully vaccinated or are not eligible to be vaccinated, are not able to sail on back-to back-cruises. For guests sailing back-to-back on any Celebrity Cruises ship, complimentary testing will be provided onboard.
Effective November 16, 2021, if sailing on another cruise brand, guests will be responsible for making their own arrangements with an accredited testing provider as well as covering all associated costs."
