Two smaller cruise lines have announced that they will soon require guests to have Covid-19 booster shots. It could be a harbinger for things to come from larger cruise companies.
German cruise line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, half-owned by Royal Caribbean Group, has announced that in February it will begin requiring that guests have a booster shot if more than three months have passed since their original vaccination.
UnCruise Adventures says boosters for eligible guests will be required starting February 5. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will mandate boosters for guests 18 and older, beginning February 14.
"We are aware of the additional CDC focus on larger cruise lines and variants, and we continue to take a safe and practical approach to every step of our small-vessel experience," UnCruise said in a statement.
"We've successfully operated in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii during Covid, and recent experience has proven a recipe for limited transmission with variants thus far. We require full vaccination to board, including a booster for all of those who are eligible, along with a negative molecular Covid test."
Hapag-Lloyd has mandated the booster for those 18 and older for cruises on the Europa 2 on Feb. 14, the Hanseatic Spirit and Hanseatic Nature on Feb. 19, and the Hanseatic Inspiration and the Europa on Feb. 24.
Hapag-Lloyd also adjusted its Covid-19 vaccine mandate to guests 12 and older. Until now, vaccination had only been required for guests 18 and older.
Both Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line "strongly recommend" that passengers get boosters but do not require it.
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