The Covid testing and vaccination requirements are different for different cruise lines, so it's crucial you follow the right ones.
The cruise industry was battered more than most during the coronavirus pandemic, with the majority of the world's fleet unable to take passengers for over a year.
Understandably, those operating ships are keen to avoid coronavirus outbreaks while out at sea and the minimise the prospect of quarantining guests.
While coronavirus infection rates and deaths are much lower in the UK and other Western countries now, restrictions designed to stop its spread remain in place in many nations - so it's important to check local rules ahead of travel.
Here are six of the biggest cruise companies and their current rules for UK travellers:
Royal Caribbean
On boarding day in Southampton, vaccinated guests living in the UK no longer need to take a test on arrival at the terminal, but will be asked to present their negative PCR test and Covid vaccine certificate.
Unvaccinated guests from two to 17-years-old living in the UK will be required to take a complimentary rapid antigen test on arrival at the cruise terminal and receive a negative result in order to sail, and will be asked to present their negative PCR test result.
Princess
Protocols to cruising have been lifted on Princess, meaning "for most voyages there are no longer vaccination or testing requirements", the company states on its website.
To make sure of the rules on your specific cruise, you can use Princess's CruiseHealth tool.
P&O cruises
Testing is not mandatory but it is "highly recommended" that all customers take one three days before departure.
All adults must be fully vaccinated.
Guests aged five to 17 years who are not fully vaccinated will need to take a lateral flow/antigen test in the three days before, or on the day of departure.
You’ll no longer need to provide a test certificate, but you must be able to provide photo evidence of your negative test if asked - simply write your name and the date of testing on a piece of paper and include in the photo.
Guests aged four years and under remain exempt from all pre-travel vaccination and testing requirements.
Disney Cruise Line
Fully vaccinated guests will no longer be required to provide a negative Covid test upon embarkation.
Guests who do not qualify as fully vaccinated will still be required to provide proof of a negative Covid test taken one to three days prior to sailing.
Fred Olsen
All guests aged 12 and above must be fully vaccinated, and those who have been in contact with anyone with Covid within seven days of the cruise leaving should not travel.
All guests will be required to take their own lateral flow test at home within 24 hours of the departure date of the cruise and bring the proof of a negative test result to show at check-in.
If you arrive at the port without confirmation of a negative result, you will be asked to complete a £25 test at the terminal, which will result in a delay at check-in.
Saga
All customers travelling with Saga Holidays until 31 December 2022 must be fully vaccinated against Covid.
All UK Government testing requirements have been removed. However, a pre-departure test by the destination to be visited may still be required, so you should check local rules.
