New Information from Carnival:

Dear Travel Advisor,

Our highest responsibilities include the health and safety of our guests and crew. We continue to work closely with public health officials, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), to monitor, screen and implement best practices to protect the health of our guests and crew as it relates to COVID-19 (coronavirus). Our monitoring, screening and operational protocols are designed to be flexible so that we can effectively adapt to changes as they occur. 

We are following industry and public health guidelines regarding embarkation restrictions. Guests meeting the following criteria will be unable to sail: 

• If they have been to or traveled through China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, South Korea, or a location currently subject to isolation measures by government health authorities in the last 14 days prior to embarkation. This applies to municipalities in the Italian regions of Lombardy and Veneto that are under travel restrictions by the CDC. 
• If they have been in contact with another person suspected of having COVID-19

If your clients meet any of this criteria, please advise us as soon as possible by calling 1-800-CARNIVAL so we can discuss this matter before they travel to the terminal for embarkation.

There are also certain guests that will be subject to additional screening. Please be advised that guests who have visited or traveled through the countries below will receive medical screening including having their temperature checked prior to boarding. Guests will be required to provide travel documentation and are subject to passport verification:

• If they have visited Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand or Vietnam in the 14 days prior to embarkation.
• For Italy, we are asking guests and crew to confirm they have not been to any of the municipalities in the regions of Lombardy and Veneto that are under travel restrictions by the CDC. 

Some destinations on your client’s itinerary may restrict or deny entry to ships carrying any person with symptoms of influenza and illness even if the symptoms do not meet the criteria set by world health experts including CDC and WHO – and would therefore not even be required to be evaluated or tested for the illness in the United States or most places around the world. While we will work to minimize these incidents, we do not have control over these decisions. Carnival will comply with all required guidelines that may be implemented by individual destinations that may require itinerary changes. We will make every effort to inform you of any new local policies as soon as the information is made available to us.

In addition to our usual procedures, we have implemented the following expanded protocols:

• All guests must comply with standard pre-boarding health reporting at time of check-in.
• Additional pre-cruise and in-terminal screenings and questionnaires will be administered, including pre-boarding medical evaluations, as needed. 
• Crew members are following these same guidelines and are subject to additional screening measures prior to boarding.
• Enhanced on board and terminal sanitation measures with non-toxic materials are in place, in addition to our rigorous daily cleaning regimen.
• Our onboard Medical Centers are staffed to handle a wide variety of staff and crew medical situations. 
• Any guest or crew member who exhibits symptoms of influenza or upper respiratory infection with fever are subject to isolation. 

While your clients may see a few guests wearing masks, that is their choice, and it’s important for them to remember that culturally, some travelers wear masks as a routine matter. If your clients see a crew member wearing a mask, it is directly related to a task they are performing and it is an authorized piece of safety equipment.

We assure you we are actively managing health and safety related issues on our cruises and want you and your clients to be aware of the enhanced measures we are taking. You can also find more information on the industry’s response by visiting the CLIA or U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  CDC web sites. 

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we aim to ensure a safe, fun and memorable cruise. We look forward to seeing your clients aboard.  

Yours in health,


Dr. Grant Tarling
Chief Medical Officer

Carnival Cruise Line

From Carnival Cruise Line

Dear Travel Advisor, We want you to be fully aware of our efforts related to Coronavirus and sailing restrictions for guests who have recently traveled to China.   We continue to closely monitor the latest information and our medical experts are coordinating closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to implement enhanced screening, prevention and control measures for our ships globally. In accordance with guidance from Cruise Lines International Association, cruise lines, including ours, are not allowing guests who have traveled to mainland China in the 14 days prior to their embarkation day to sail.

Currently, the Bahamian government has also informed cruise lines that guests who have been to China in the last 20 days before their arrival date in The Bahamas, will not be allowed to disembark in a Bahamian port of call.   If your clients have recently visited China and are potentially impacted by a travel restriction, please contact us by calling 1-800-CARNIVAL. In the event there are any other changes, we will promptly notify you of any new developments.  Additionally, we have taken the following steps: Asking guests to comply with standard pre-boarding health reporting which reminds them of their obligation to report any illness symptoms at time of check-in Conducting additional pre-cruise and in-terminal screenings and questionnaires, as neededImplementing pre-boarding medical evaluations, including temperature checks, for persons with fever or respiratory symptomsDelaying the arrival of any crew members from China and not booking any crew members on flights connecting through ChinaImplementing onboard environmental disinfection measures, in addition to our regular stringent cleaning and sanitation protocols.

All guests and travel advisors with impacted sailings have been advised, please see letters that have been distributed to guests with bookings on any Bahamian and non-Bahamian sailings from February 6th through February 10, 2020.   We greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we aim to ensure a safe, fun and memorable cruise. Our highest responsibilities include the health and safety of our guests and crew. We look forward to seeing you and your clients aboard.

Sincerely, Carnival Cruise Line

From Princess Cruise Lines:

Coronavirus Health Advisory  Hi everyone,We know there is a great deal of media coverage and growing public concern about the Coronavirus. To ensure you are aware of what we are doing at Princess to protect the health and safety of your clients (our guests), we have activated updates in our website News Room to provide the latest information available.You’ll find the latest updates 24/7 on the Notices & Advisories page of princess.com. Be sure to bookmark this page so you can easily access as inquiries arise.We are closely monitoring the evolving situation with respect to Coronavirus originating in mainland China. We are working with international health authorities and have activated enhanced screening, prevention and control procedures for our ships to keep our guests and crew safe. As the situation continues to develop, any measures we may take (as well as any other requirements that may be imposed by local authorities), are subject to change. We encourage you to check back regularly to our Notices & Advisories page so you can advise your clients accordingly.More information can be found at:U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Website:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.htmlWorld Health Organization (WHO) Website: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 Thank you for your continued support. Update: Southeast Asia Itineraries & how to get information Hi everyone, The situation regarding Diamond Princess and COVID-19 (coronavirus), and subsequent voyage cancellations and modifications on other Southeast Asia itineraries have undoubtedly created a great deal of uncertainty and angst for your clients who have booked voyages to this region, as well as for you as their travel advisor. I want to assure you that each and every booked guest impacted has received (or will receive very soon) an Emergency Notification (EN – Click to see Sample EN), and this communication is also sent to the booking agent, as well as the primary agency. While you may receive many other ENs, please be mindful to watch for these communications as they contain critical information that will allow you to better serve your clients. As we work through all the travel changes and subsequent impacts on itineraries, your best resource is our Notices & Advisories page on princess.com, which includes a list of affected voyages, health advisories and FAQs on measures we have taken.  Please minimize calling our Princess call center (800-PRINCESS) for itinerary change information, as long hold times will only result in increased frustration for you and your clients, and our call center will be referencing the same information you’ll find on Notices & Advisories page. We encourage you to bookmark this page and reach out to your guests who have impacted bookings, so you can answer any questions they have proactively, including advising them on compensation procedures, alleviating any travel concerns, and in the event that their voyage was cancelled, make every attempt to re-book them on another voyage.  Please understand that every change we have made during this incredibly fluid situation has been done out of an abundance of caution considering the safety, health and well-being of our guests, and our team is working around the clock to support you and your clients. More information can be found at: • Princess Cruises Notices & Advisory page:https://www.princess.com/news/notices_and_advisories/  • U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Website:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html  • World Health Organization (WHO) Website: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 On behalf of all of us here at Princess, we thank you for your continued support. Best Regards.  John Chernesky Senior Vice President North America Sales & Trade Marketing Princess Cruises

From Royal Caribbean

We are closely monitoring global developments regarding the coronavirus and  are fully focused on protecting the health and safety of our guests and crew.

After consultation with the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The World Health Organization (WHO) and other public health authorities, we are implementing several measures to protect our guests and crew.

Until further notice, all ships in the Royal Caribbean International fleet will adopt these health screening protocols:

1. Regardless of nationality, any individual who has travelled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 15 days will be unable to board any Royal Caribbean ship. Guests directly impacted by this will receive a full refund.
2. There will be mandatory health screenings performed on:
   • Guests who have been in contact with individuals who have traveled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 15 days
   • Guests who report feeling unwell or demonstrate any flu-like symptoms
   • Any guest presenting with fever or low blood oximetry in the specialized health screening will be unable to board.
3. These standards also apply to all employees, crew members and contractors of Royal Caribbean International.
4. We have cancelled all China and Hong Kong sailings through the end of February 2020. Guests and travel partners impacted by these cancellations have been notified and guests will be issued a full refund.

We have rigorous medical protocols in place to help passengers and crew members who feel unwell while sailing. Our protocols include professional medical treatment, quarantine of unwell individuals from the general ship population, and intensified ship cleaning, air filtration, and sanitization procedures detailed below:

1. Before and after all sailings, embarkation terminals and ship access points are being thoroughly sanitized.
2. Enhanced sanitation efforts are in place for all high traffic areas onboard. Every evening, electrostatic sprayers (a method of cleaning & disinfecting that fully covers a surface) will be used in all public areas and public restrooms.
3. During each sailing, the Captain will make two announcements each day to remind guests to wash their hands often, use recommended coughing etiquette, and report any high fever or influenza-like illness symptoms immediately.
4. Extra medical staff have been added onboard and complimentary medical consultations are offered before and during each sailing.

We are assessing developments constantly and will update these measures, as needed.

From Holland America

WHAT WE ARE DOING TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF OUR GUESTS

We are closely monitoring the evolving situation with respect to coronavirus that originated in mainland China and our medical experts are coordinating closely with global health authorities to implement enhanced screening, prevention and control measures for our ships globally.

Measures we are implementing include:

• Guests who have traveled from or through mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau, or had contact with a suspected or confirmed case of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) or a person who is under monitoring for coronavirus in the last 14 days prior to sailing will not be permitted to board the ship.
  • Shipboard staff will be scanning guest passports to verify transit through any of the prohibited areas. Given the serious nature of these circumstances, false responses on pre-boarding documents will result in immediate grounds for disembarkation at the next opportunity. Guests who do not disclose travel through prohibited areas in Asia may also face additional legal consequences.
• Pre-Boarding medical evaluations, including temperature checks, for persons whom, for any reason, appear or identify as symptomatic (respiratory or fever symptoms); and
• For all guests, our standard pre-boarding health reporting advising of their reporting obligations for any illness or symptoms of an illness.
• Medical screening for Coronavirus on all guests who visit our onboard Medical Center with symptoms of any respiratory illness.
• Reporting to local and national health authorities of all cases of fever and respiratory illness, and any patients with suspected Coronavirus infection.
• Crew members from mainland China will be delayed from joining any ship until further notice. Crew members from other regions of the world who may have been scheduled to connect on flights through China have been rerouted.
• Additional environmental disinfection onboard will be performed in addition to our regular stringent cleaning and sanitation protocols.

Norwegian Cruise Line TRAVEL ALERT: CORONAVIRUS PROCEDURES 

Updated: 2/12/2020

The safety, security and well-being of our guests and crew is our number one priority. We have proactively implemented several preventative measures outlined below due to growing concerns regarding Coronavirus infections in China. We will continue to consult with The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and take appropriate additional action as needed. 

Policies currently in place include:

• Any guest that holds a Chinese, Hong Kong, or Macau passport, will be unable to board any of our ships, regardless of residency. 
  • Except U.S. Alien Residents holding an Alien Resident Card (ARC), also known as a “Green Card” traveling on itineraries that sail from a US port and end in a US port.
   
• Any crew members joining our ships that hold a Chinese, Hong Kong or Macau passport will not be allowed to board our ships. In addition, any crew members who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau within 30 days will not be allowed to board our ships.
• Guests who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, within 30 days of their voyage embarkation, regardless of nationality, will not be allowed to board any of our vessels. The standard incubation period recognized by the WHO and U.S. CDC for this virus is 14 days. 
  • Guests who are denied boarding will be issued a refund when they provide proof of travel. 
• The recent Hong Kong port closure will result in itinerary modifications and we will share the revised itinerary as well as further details as they become available.
• Prior to the port closure in Hong Kong, we implemented non-touch temperature screenings for all passengers embarking from this destination and any guest who registered a body temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius or higher, were not allowed to board. Guests on these voyages were also subject to temperature screenings when returning from shore excursions at ports of call. 
  • Guests who were unable to sail due to a high temperature were advised to open a travel insurance claim with their insurance provider.
• For all guests, we will continue standard pre-boarding health reporting and evaluation. Any guests who appear symptomatic are subject to pre-boarding medical evaluations including but not limited to temperature checks as deemed necessary. 
• Any guest who exhibits symptoms of any respiratory illness while on board will be subject to additional screening at our onboard Medical Center and may be subject to potential quarantine and disembarkation.
• We have implemented additional cleaning and disinfection protocols on board all voyages. These protocols will be enforced in addition to our already rigorous sanitization standards in place.
• Singapore and the Philippines are not currently allowing Chinese nationals to disembark at their ports. Guests with a Chinese passport who are traveling on voyages that disembark in one of these regions will not be allowed on board our ships. If additional port restrictions are put into place we may have to modify this policy as needed.
  • Guests who are denied boarding due to this will be issued a refund. 

The above measures will remain in effect until further notice and are subject to change at any time as we evaluate the situation and continue to consult with local health authorities as well as the WHO and U.S. CDC.

At this time, we have made a number of itinerary changes and none of our vessels are currently calling to ports in mainland China. We also have the flexibility to alter our itineraries as needed to avoid areas of concern. All itineraries that call in mainland China for the next six months are currently under review and we will communicate any itinerary revisions as soon as possible. As always, we will closely monitor the situation and take appropriate action as necessary. 

We apologize for the inconvenience to any guests affected by these measures put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all our guests and crew. 

For frequently asked questions and information regarding the coronavirus, please visit the following websites: 

World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO Travel Advice
United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC)
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
CLIA Coronavirus FAQs
CLIA Public Health and Medical Policy

From CLIA

PRESS RELEASE | FEBRUARY 13, 2020

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Statement on COVID-19 

WASHINGTON, DC (13 FEB 2020)—Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading voice of the global cruise industry, issued today the following statement in response to recent developments concerning COVID-19 and its impact on the global cruise industry.

“The health and safety of cruise passengers and crew is and remains the number one priority of CLIA and its member lines, which make up over 90% of ocean-going cruise capacity worldwide. 

Given the evolving nature of the ongoing COVID-19—and based upon prevailing guidance from global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO)—CLIA Members have adopted the following enhanced protocols for ocean-going guests and crew who have recently traveled from or through China, including Hong Kong and Macau. These enhanced policies, which are in effect as of 7 February 2020, build upon those which were implemented on 31 January 2020 and continue to allow for informed decisions on a case-by-case basis whether a guest or crewmember will be permitted to board.

• CLIA Members are to deny boarding to all persons who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, within 14 days before embarkation. 
• CLIA Members are to deny boarding to all persons who, within 14 days before embarkation, have had close contact with, or helped care for, anyone suspected or diagnosed as having COVID-19, or who is currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to COVID-19. 
• CLIA Members are to conduct preboarding screening necessary to effectuate these prevention measures. Enhanced screening and initial medical support are to be provided, as needed, to any persons exhibiting symptoms of suspected COVID-19.

In coordination with cruise lines, medical experts and regulators around the world, CLIA and its member lines will continue to closely monitor for new developments related to the coronavirus and will modify these policies as necessary with the utmost consideration for the health and safety of passengers and crew. With strict measures in place, as guided by national and international health authorities, CLIA and its member lines do not believe restrictions on the movement of ships are justified. 

Importantly, the cruise industry is one of the most well-equipped and experienced when it comes to managing and monitoring health conditions of those onboard, with outbreak prevention and response measures in place year-round. Furthermore, ships must be fitted with onboard medical facilities, with shipboard medical professionals available around the clock, 24/7, to provide initial medical care in the event of illness and help prevent disease transmission.”