UK holidaymakers looking to book cruise holidays this year will be spoiled for choice with a whole host of new cruise ships to get excited about in 2022, and plenty of sun-soaked itineraries.
Royal Caribbean, TUI's Marella Cruises, P&O Cruises, Fred. Olsen, Princess Crises and Virgin Voyages are just some of the brands set to offer up a whole host of glamorous sailings, whether you're after a trip to the Caribbean or looking to explore the Mediterranean.
Of course with the pandemic still ongoing, cruise lines have implemented a series of Covid measures to keep their guests and crew members safe, with each cruise line having their own vaccination policies and rules on when passengers will be asked to wear a face mask.
To give you a helping hand we've put together a guide to all of the biggest cruise lines and the key rules you need to know - check it out below.
Princess Cruises
Princess requires guests to be fully vaccinated in order to be able to board its ships. This means having received your final dose of an authorise vaccine at least 14 days before the beginning of the cruise.
As for face masks, passengers are required to wear a face mask indoors at all times and outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
MSC Cruises
MSC requires all passengers aged 12 or over to be fully vaccinated against Covid in order to board its ships. Guests aged 2-11 will be required to submit a negative test prior to boarding.
Face masks are required onboard when in public areas indoors, except when seated in restaurants, bars and lounges.
Royal Caribbean
For any cruises departing from the US or Barbados, Royal Caribbean requires all passengers aged 12 or over to be fully vaccinated.
A statement on the company's website says that it has "not yet determined our health and safety protocols for 2022 sailings departing from Europe" but added that affected guests would be contacted with requirements ahead of sailing.
All Royal Caribbean crew members must be fully vaccinated and undergo Covid testing at least once a week.
Face masks must be worn indoors onboard ships, unless guests are seated and actively eating or drinking. You may also be required to wear a face mask in public ports of call, depending on the destination's local rules.
TUI - Marella and TUI River Cruises
Passengers aged 12 or over sailing from Spain, the Canary Islands, Jamaica or Barbados will need to be fully vaccinated in order to be able to board for departures up to February 28. For all other sailings departing March 1 through to April 30, those aged 16 or over will need to be fully vaccinated for at least 14 days and have proof.
Children aged 2-15 who are unvaccinated can still sail but will need to have an antigen test with a negative result before boarding the ship.
Marella hasn't yet confirmed its vaccine policy for journeys beyond April.
As for face masks, guests aged 12 and over are required to wear a face covering unless they are in their cabin, out in the open deck, or are sat down eating and drinking.
For TUI River Cruises sailings setting off on or before 31 December 2022, all passengers will need to be fully vaccinated against Covid. Face masks must be worn in areas where social distancing isn't possible such as corridors or walkways.
Fred. Olsen
All passengers need to be fully vaccinated against Covid in order to board Fred Olsen sailings - and in some cases that includes a booster jab.
A statement on the website explains: "This includes two original doses, and a third booster dose. You must have had your booster at least seven days before your cruise sets sail.
"If you are due to have your second vaccine less than three months before your cruise sets sail, you do not need to have had a booster vaccination. Please note, you must allow at least 14 days after your second vaccine before you can sail with us."
The cruise line also requests that passengers wear a face mask when moving around inside the ship and where social distancing is not possible.
P&O Cruises
All P&O Cruises passengers aged 17 or over will need to be fully vaccinated for at least 14 days before departure.
Children aged 5-17 will be required to be either fully vaccinated or have a negative PCR test result to be allowed to board the ship.
Children aged 4 and under can travel provided their accompanying adults meet the vaccine requirements.
Face masks will be required in "specific areas" onboard although the website doesn't necessarily specify what this includes.
Saga
Saga requires all passengers to be fully vaccinated against Covid in order to be able to join its cruise holidays. This means having received both doses of an approved jab at least 14 days before departure.
Currently, face masks are required when walking between enclosed spaces around the ship "with the exception of the Theatre, the Fairway and the Card Room where it remains compulsory to wear a face mask at all times". Face visors are not permitted, and Sgaa has said it will not allow for any exemptions for the use of face masks onboard.
Viking Cruises
Viking Cruises requires all passengers to be fully vaccinated against Covid in order to join its sailings. Guests may also be required to undergo PCR testing depending on a destination's entry requirements.
As for face masks, the Viking Cruises website states that "face masks may be required for all guests and crew while moving about the ship, depending on conditions at time of sailing".
Virgin Voyages
All Virgin Voyages passengers and crew members are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid in order to board the company's ships.
Until January 31st passengers will be required to wear masks indoors except while eating and drinking. After that date, the company says it plans to return to its usual no-mask-required policy.
Norwegian Cruise Line
All NCL guests are required to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure. This applies to all Norwegian sailings at the time of writing.
For all cruises up to and including January 31, all guests and crew are required to wear face masks on board while indoors, except "except when actively eating or drinking, or seated at a table in a dining setting, or when in their stateroom".
Masks are also required outdoors when social distancing can't be maintained.
Celebrity Cruises
A statement on the Celebrity website says: "All crew and guests who are eligible to be vaccinated must be vaccinated in order to sail with us. All guests 2 and over must present a negative Covid-19 test prior to sailing." You'll also need to show proof of a negative PCR test within two days before embarkation.
Ambassador Cruise Line
Ambassador Cruise Line crew are fully vaccinated, and only fully vaccinated passengers will be allowed onboard the brand's sailings.
The cruise line has said that "if face masks are still recommended in communal areas" when its cruise operations begin later this year, it will adhere to this policy when cruise operations begin.
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