Put down the swabs: 2 major lines drop some pre-cruise testing requirements
Two of the cruise industry's biggest brands, Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line, have dropped pre-cruise testing requirements in select ports, eliminating one of the biggest concerns for passengers embarking abroad.
Effective July 10, Holland America has waived pre-cruise testing requirements for its newest ship, Rotterdam, on select Amsterdam-to-Norway itineraries.
"As health protocols around the world continue to evolve, we are adjusting our policies to align with those of the countries we visit," the line said in a statement. "As a result, for the July 10, 17 and 24 voyages departing from Amsterdam and traveling to Norway, guests will not be required to undergo pre-cruise COVID-19 testing or provide a negative test result at embarkation."
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Similarly, Norwegian Cruise Line will drop its pre-cruise testing requirements on nearly all sailings from Europe and other locations outside of North America, effective Aug. 1, 2022.
"Effective for sailings 8/1/22 and beyond for cruises originating in any port except a U.S. port, Canadian port or Piraeus, Greece: All guests are exempt from all pre-cruise COVID-19 testing requirements," reads a portion of the Sail Safe section on NCL's website.
"The pre-embarkation testing requirement will remain in place for guests currently traveling on voyages departing from destinations with local testing regulations," the line said in a statement. "The relaxation of the testing policy is in line with the rest of the travel, leisure and hospitality industry worldwide as society continues to adapt and return to a state of normalcy. We continue to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel."
As lines that have opted into the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's voluntary COVID-19 safety protocols, both Holland America and Norwegian will continue to require passengers departing on cruises from the U.S. to test prior to sailing, regardless of vaccination status.
Throughout the cruise industry's restart, both pre- and post-cruise testing have been pain points for passengers — particularly those sailing on voyages that begin or end in foreign ports. Eliminating pre- and post-cruise testing abroad also eliminates the risk of someone testing positive before their cruise and being denied boarding or testing positive after a sailing and subsequently being forced to isolate for several days before returning home.
In June 2022, the U.S. dropped its test-for-entry requirements for travelers arriving by air, alleviating stress for U.S. cruise passengers whose itineraries end in foreign ports. (Before the requirement was waived, anyone arriving in the U.S. by cruise ship was not required to test, but those whose voyages ended in foreign ports were forced to test in order to fly home.)
These rollbacks join other relaxed protocols, such as mask-wearing and social distancing, which have been optional on most cruise lines for months.
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees