Saga Cruises, which caters to passengers aged 50 and older, has announced that it will now require all guests to be vaccinated before boarding one of its ships.
This makes Saga Cruises the first cruise line to require that passengers get vaccinated before using their service.
According to a statement posted by Saga Cruises, ‘We have taken the decision to introduce the requirement that all guests must be fully vaccinated against COVID‑19 at least 14 days before sailing with us.’
The announcement comes after Saga Cruises recently reviewed its health and safety procedures in an effort to ensure they provide the ‘safest possible cruise experience’.
As part of its newly reviewed health and safety procedures and to allow all guests sufficient time to be fully vaccinated, Saga Cruise has decided to delay the restart of its cruise programme, which was due to set sail on April 3, 2021, with Spirit of Discovery.
The new program will now begin with Spirit of Adventure’s inaugural voyage on May 4. Saga Cruises will be contacting all guests affected by the new requirement to discuss their options.
A message to all holiday customers. Please read our vaccination FAQs, which apply to bookings made prior to January 20, 2021 here >>> https://t.co/PJp2xWXSfl pic.twitter.com/ocGZoT7bt2
— Saga Holidays (@SagaHolidaysUK) January 20, 2021
According to the BBC, all cruise passengers will have to take a COVID-19 test before their trip, as well as a full medical screening. Capacity on the Spirit of Discovery, along with Saga’s other cruise liners will also be capped at 800 people.
While Saga Cruises might be the first to require that its passengers get vaccinated before embarking on a journey, other cruise liners may soon follow in its footsteps, especially seeing as countries around the world are slowly starting to open up their borders.
The Seychelles announced earlier this week that it would open its borders to vaccinated visitors with immediate effect.
Cruise liner Bare Necessities also announced that it will be embarking on a 14-day journey come February 13, 2022.
Picture: Twitter/@donships1
