2 cruise lines cancel Bermuda calls over continued COVID-19 testing requirements
Two of the world's biggest cruise lines have canceled upcoming calls in Bermuda, citing the island's ongoing COVID-19 testing requirements.
Celebrity Cruises has canceled visits to Bermuda in October and November scheduled for four ships: Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Reflection. The vessels had been set to visit the island on Oct. 22, Oct. 30-31, Nov. 4 and Nov. 10, respectively.
Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled Bermuda calls scheduled for three ships: Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Gem. The vessels had been set to visit the island on Nov. 5, Nov. 15 and Dec. 20, respectively.
All seven of the visits were scheduled to take place during long transatlantic voyages that begin in Europe and end in North America.
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Unlike most cruise destinations around the world, Bermuda continues to require passengers on such long voyages to submit to supervised onboard COVID-19 testing as their vessels approach the island.
Specifically, Bermuda requires onboard COVID-19 testing for all passengers on any ship that takes longer than four days to arrive at the island from its origination port. The tests must take place within two days of the ship's arrival in Bermuda.
Passengers on such ships also must fill out an online form and pay a $40 per person fee to the Bermuda government.
Many cruise destinations around the world have dropped such requirements in recent months as the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic has waned. Bermuda's continuation of such requirements has led to complaints from cruisers scheduled to be on longer voyages that include a stop at the island this fall, cruise lines say.
“Our transatlantic sailing guests indicated a strong preference for avoiding mid-cruise testing and related expenses," Celebrity said in a statement sent to TPG. "We will continue to visit Bermuda with other itineraries where the island is the first port of call and doesn’t trigger the additional testing requirement.”
Bermuda does not require most passengers to undergo a mid-cruise COVID-19 test when visiting the island on ships that arrive within four days of leaving their origination port. Most roundtrip cruises to Bermuda from New York and other East Coast ports fall into that category.
Related: The ultimate guide to picking a cruise line
Vaccinated passengers and unvaccinated children under the age of 12 traveling with vaccinated parents on such shorter cruises to Bermuda must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken before departure but don't have to undergo a mid-cruise test.
Unvaccinated passengers can sail on such shorter cruisers to Bermuda but must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within two days of arriving at the island in order to get off the ship.
"We always strive to deliver an exceptional experience both onboard and onshore," Norwegian said in a statement to TPG explaining its Bermuda call cancellations. "Given the complexity of travel requirements in some destinations such as Bermuda, we have modified a few itineraries to ensure a more seamless voyage for our guests."
In the statement, Norwegian said that "despite these changes, we remain fully committed to Bermuda. In fact, we continue to offer voyages during which Bermuda is the one and only port of call. We appreciate the understanding and support of our guests."
Other cruise ships scheduled to visit Bermuda in the coming months as part of long transatlantic voyages include Oceania Cruises' Sirena; Viking's Viking Sun; and Azamara's Azamara Onward.
As of now, Bermuda calls for the latter ships are still scheduled to take place.
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Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and other participating providers. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back each year on an Equinox+ subscription, or any Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- $189 CLEAR® Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees