The Carnival Corporation-owned Costa Cruises announced it is updating its COVID-related shipboard health protocols, making sailings more accessible, starting with the ones scheduled for next fall and winter.
As of October 8, new procedures enter into force, leading to a simplification of measures, especially the pre-embarkation ones. Since last spring, it has already been possible to enjoy, without restrictions, onboard and ashore services like excursions, bars, restaurants, theaters, swimming pools, wellness areas, and gyms.
The main changes concern the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the United Arab Emirates, where fully COVID-vaccinated passengers will no longer have to undergo pre-embarkation testing. In the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, unvaccinated passengers with negative pre-embarkation COVID antigen tests will also be able to embark.
On the Mediterranean (excluding Greece) and Caribbean cruises lasting less than 14 nights, passengers who have completed the COVID vaccination (2 doses+booster; 1 dose J&J + booster; 2 doses+recovery) will be able to embark on the ships without having to undergo pre-embarkation tests. Those who have not been vaccinated/cured from COVID (without 2 doses) will be able to sail with Costa to those destinations, showing at the embarkation an official certification of the negative result of a COVID antigenic swab/RT-PCR molecular swab, at passenger’s choice, performed within 48 hours of embarkation time.
All voyages calling in Greece continue to be available only to fully/partially vaccinated and recovered passengers (2 doses+booster; J&J + booster; 2 doses+recovery; 1 dose+recovery; recovery only), and who have undergone antigen COVID testing with a negative result within 48 hours of embarkation.
On sailings visiting Morocco, passengers without full COVID vaccination will have to take an additional RT-PCR molecular test onboard 48 hours before entry into the country. For Caribbean voyages, shore leave of unvaccinated passengers in Barbados, St Marteen, and St Vincent is permitted only with a negative result of a COVID antigen test performed 24/48 hours before the arrival of the ship. These tests, and those scheduled before entering Morocco, can be done onboard Costa Cruises' ships at a special price.
Voyages in the UAE, Qatar, and Oman are currently available only to fully vaccinated passengers (2 doses+booster; 1 dose J&J + booster; 2 doses+recovery), with no pre-embarkation testing.
Around-the-World/transatlantic cruises/all cruises 14+ nights require passengers to be fully vaccinated as well as take an antigen test with a negative result within 48 hours of embarkation time. Mask use onboard will be mandatory in public areas during the first seven days of the voyage, while in other destinations like the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and UAE, mask use is recommended.
Where applicable, in the destinations mentioned the full COVID-vaccination requirement applies only to passengers aged 12+ (except on Around-the-World/transatlantic cruises, from age 18+), and the swab requirement from age 5+.
Costa's COVID-related protocols are consistent with measures in place in the destinations visited by the line’s ships. If local authorities implement new measures, Costa Cruises' protocols will adjust accordingly and the company will promptly inform its passengers.