Cruising Returns To Brazil After Omicron Pause

by Bruce Parkinson
Last updated: 6:25 AM ET, Mon March 7, 2022

With the Omicron variant apparently on the decline, Brazilian authorities have authorized the cruise industry to restart operations.

When the variant wave hit In December 2021, Brazil recommended that travellers avoid cruises. In early January 2022, cruise lines with ships homeported in Brazil paused operations.

Two months later, cruises are resuming for a shortened season.

CLIA reports that four cruise ships from Costa and MSC Cruises will operate 19 itineraries for the remainder of the season, which is scheduled until April 18. The summer season will kick off again in October 2022.

To help convince the government and local authorities to allow resumption, CLIA and the lines committed to maintaining strict protocols including a requirement that all passengers and crew are fully vaccinated.

Pre-embarkation COVID tests are required for passengers and onboard there will be a representative sampling of tests among at least 10% of passengers and crew, as well as a mask requirement. Ships will operate with reduced capacities to facilitate social distancing for the remainder of the season.

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