With only a few days until we see Ventura returning to service we’re coming to the end of our series of UK cruises which marks an exciting milestone for us as Britannia, Iona, Queen Elizabeth and of course, Ventura, take our Guests further afield with our first international cruises.
As we begin international cruising, it’s vitally important we continue to work hand-in-hand with the authorities and regional partners in the destinations we visit to ensure we comply with evolving local protocols and entry requirements in the regions. Our number one priority upon our return has always been, and remains, the wellbeing of everyone on board and in the destinations we visit. Our suite of protocols is therefore designed to adapt as needed to the changing public health situation and as such we need to make changes to our vaccination policies for both brands.
P&O Cruises policy changes
To explain the changes and what these mean for P&O Cruises, Paul Ludlow, P&O Cruises President, has recorded a video message which you can watch below:
To recap, given the long-haul destinations and the number of different countries visited combined with the current health protocols and entry requirements in the Caribbean, all guests (irrespective of age) must have completed their vaccination course at least 14 days prior to travel. This can either be two doses of the currently approved Covid-19 vaccines or the approved single-dose Janssen Covid-19 vaccine (approved by the MHRA). A single dose of any other vaccine will not be accepted. All guests of all ages must meet the requirements of the Covid-19 vaccination policy.
In addition, the current vaccination policy for our international cruises departing from Southampton has been extended up to and including 27 March 2022 but our reduced occupancy on board, coupled with the Covid-19 protocols, has made it necessary to limit the numbers of unvaccinated guests on a selected number of sailings between September 2021 and March 2022. To clarify, this is only applies to our half term cruises, G135 and N122. Other cruises should not be affected. We have therefore, unfortunately, had to take the decision to cancel any concession bookings for these cruises which include unvaccinated guests. A number of family and friends bookings, as well as guest bookings, will also have to be cancelled.
Cunard policy changes
All guests of all ages will need to be fully vaccinated in order to travel on any voyage departing up to and including 17 April 2022 for Queen Mary 2 and up to and including 17 May 2022 for Queen Elizabeth. The vaccine policy currently doesn’t apply to sailings beyond these dates, or on Queen Victoria, scheduled to return to service on 22 April 2022.
Our definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ is a minimum of 14 days following the second dose of the currently approved Covid-19 vaccines or 14 days following the approved single-dose Janssen Covid-19 vaccine being administered. Please note, a single dose of any other vaccine will not be deemed ‘fully vaccinated’.
What does this mean for those of us booked on concession cruises which are affected?
- If all guests on the booking will be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to sailing, please email employeediscountedtravel@carnivalukgroup.com by 6 October 2021 to confirm and your booking will remain in place, otherwise it will be cancelled.
- If the member/s of your travelling party aged 5-17 aren’t fully vaccinated then your booking will be cancelled and you’ll receive an automatic refund.
- If you’ve previously linked your booking to another travelling party and they would prefer to no longer travel, they too will be entitled to a 100% refund. To amend the named travellers on your booking please email employeediscountedtravel@carnivalukgroup.com.
For anyone travelling on cruises G135 and N122, as they were due to depart so soon, we’re offering a one-off goodwill gesture to those of you affected by this change of £100pp onboard credit (£200 max per cabin) for a future concession cruise. This will be attached to your employee unique reference number and automatically applied to any new future booking.
We know you’ll have been looking forward to these holidays, and are so sorry for the disappointment caused but, as you know, our priority is the health and wellbeing of all on board and the communities we visit.