While you are getting ready for your next cruise holiday we are here to do all we can to make sure you have an enjoyable trip.
Travel advice and requirements are subject to frequent change and so we recommend staying up to date with travel advice ahead of any planned travel. Alongside this, there is a handy checklist from the UK Government for those preparing to travel and staying safe abroad. You can find this here.
Please read our content carefully below.
Each cruise line has revealed their new and improved health and safety protocols as they resume sailing. This highlights any requirements for booking, getting on-board your ship, shore excursions and enjoying life on-board. It is essential you familiarise yourself with your cruise line’s health and safety protocols prior to booking and before getting on-board.
Check with your cruise line provider for their requirements to travel and any additional health and safety protocols. This information is subject to change and you should check back with your relevant cruise line and destinations frequently to ensure you are aware of the most up to date information..
For general travel advice and to ensure you keep up to date with the destination(s) you are visiting, check https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk for all the UK Government’s latest travel advice in one place.
Visit our own latest news page on our hub too, to see the latest key information relating to cruise travel.
You can also find specific guidance on the regions on the Gov.uk site https://www.gov.uk/check-travel-during-coronavirushere. You can sign up for travel alerts and destination specific information including visa requirements, entry restrictions, screening or quarantine requirements for your destination.
We advise you to monitor the requirements throughout the period leading up to your holiday and specifically at the following intervals:
To keep up to date with the latest information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-Covid-19.
We also advise customers to check the Passenger COVID-19 Charter framework, which outlines consumer rights and responsibilities for international travel.
Travel rules may change depending on the countries you're visiting when travelling abroad. Before travel, it's key to check the entry requirements of each of the countries you will either visit or travel through. You can find this on the Gov.uk site under foreign travel advice, as this tells you which countries allow people to enter from the UK and under what restrictions, if any. This information is subject to change and so we recommend checking throughout the time before your holiday to ensure you are aware of the latest information.
The Gov.uk site will also share advice on testing requirements, quarantine on arrival, passenger locator forms, proof of vaccination status, and face masks, should they be applicable.
Before travelling to England:
All travellers are required to arrange any Covid-19 tests you will need to enter countries that you travel to. You cannot use an NHS test for this. You must use a private test provider.
For further details on Government requirements on travelling to England from another country, you can find this: here.
For further details on Government requirements on travelling to England from another country, you can find this here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19.
You may also be required to take a Covid-19 test ahead of travelling to another country. You can check the requirements for countries here and we advise you to check this at least two weeks before travel as you may need to arrange a private test.
PCR tests can be ordered if required to be arranged and paid for by guests before travel. Please check your cruise line’s website for their specific requirements. Many cruise lines require antigen tests in place of PCR tests.
If you need to order a PCR test there are many providers available. You can find a full list of the providers available here from the UK Government website including both local and national testing providers.
PCR testing is wholly the responsibility of the guest to arrange where not provided by the cruise line. Cruise118.com does not take responsibility for the timely completion of any tests that are arranged through a third-party testing provider.
Alongside this, each cruise line also has certain testing requirements to adhere to in order to board with them. You can find the latest cruise line information and protocols here.
Have you checked the latest testing requirements as specified by Gov.uk for your travel destination country/countries and for your cruise line. This includes vaccination requirements for guests under the age of 18, entry requirements for your destination country or countries and any requirements to re enter the UK.
The EU and many other countries now require travellers to have completed their vaccinations or had a booster within 6 to 9 months of travel. Please ensure you check and are able to meet these requirements before travel.
For any further information on vaccination and entry requirements for other countries, please visit the Gov.uk website here.
For those who reside in the UK, there are certain requirements to meet in order to travel outside of the UK, as well as who is eligible for these requirements.
Young children
Cruise lines offer their own requirements for sailing with them, in some cases requiring guests to be fully vaccinated regardless of age or to provide negative tests in order to board. We recommend checking with your cruise line to find out the latest information that will be applicable at the time of departure.
Any quarantine or post-arrival testing requirements will be defined by the relevant country.
All children aged 12 to 15 are eligible for their first and second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, including children who turn 12 on the date of the vaccination.
Some children aged 5 to 11 can get a 1st and 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if either:
Parents and guardians will get an invitation from a local NHS service such as a GP surgery or a hospital specialist to make an appointment for their child.
16+ year olds
People aged 16 and over are also eligible for their first and second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
As of 01.02.2022, all travellers to the EU member states will be required to have had their second Covid-19 vaccine within nine months from 01.02.2022. Visitors may also provide proof of recovery within the past six months or a booster vaccine in order to travel within the European Union.
There are specific documents required to prepare when you leave or return to the UK. It is very important that you have your required documents completed and with you when travelling. Some of these will need to be completed ahead of time and will be required to show while you travel.
Important: You may be fined or refused entry if you have not supplied the relevant documents in time or do not have the necessary documents with you.
You no longer need to complete a Passenger Locator Form before travelling to another country from England.
Passport Requirements (From April 2023)
You can check your passport rules here for travelling within Europe: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/passport-rules-for-travel-to-europe.
British tourists do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries – as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
You can check if you need a visa or permit for the destination(s) you are visiting here.
Different rules apply to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania. If you visit these countries, visits to other EU countries will not count towards the 90-day total. You may need a visa or permit to stay for longer durations, to work or study, or for business travel. You can check which countries require a visa or permit here.
For any other visa-related questions, please check the UK Government website here.
Those traveling with children may be asked at the border to prove the relationship with the child if they do not seem to be the parent, for example having different surnames. This can be proven with a birth or adoption certificate; divorce or marriage certificate; or a letter from the child’s parent giving permission and providing contact details.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is still valid for travel, provided that it is still in date.
An EHIC or GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. You will need to take out comprehensive travel insurance with sufficient healthcare cover, including cover for existing medical conditions and any activities you plan to do.
We advise that, whenever possible, you take out adequate travel insurance at the time of booking your holiday. Cruise lines require all passengers to have adequate travel insurance covering medical and repatriation, and boarding could be refused if evidence of travel insurance cannot be provided.
Cruise lines may have specific requirements for travel insurance, so please refer to your cruise lines’ terms and conditions which can be found here.
We also advise you to check that your travel insurance includes cover for COVID-19 to ensure you have adequate protection in the event that you or a member of your party test positive for COVID-19 ahead of, or during your holiday, and are required to isolate and are unable to travel.
You may not be entitled to a refund if you are refused boarding by the cruise line at embarkation.
You may not be entitled to any additional costs incurred because of needing to self-isolate during your holiday.
However, we will always provide reasonable assistance wherever possible, in supporting our customers in making necessary arrangements or changes to their holiday before departure or during their holiday.
To get an online quote for travel insurance including cover for Covid-19, please click here: https://cruise118.justtravelcover.com/. Note: These are suggested referrals only and SixStarCruises.co.uk does not recommend any specific insurance companies.
Read the air travel guidance on steps to take if you’re flying. You can find this at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-Covid-19-safer-air-travel-guidance-for-passengers.
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