Closed to cruise ships since March 16, 2020, Grand Cayman will welcome Holland America Line's Nieuw Statendam on December 28.
This marks the first cruise ship to be approved to call on Grand Cayman since cruise travel was suspended as a preventative measure against COVID-19.
The Nieuw Statendam was approved to call on Grand Cayman in accordance with the following negotiated conditions:
- Grand Cayman must be the first port of call.
- Passenger capacity is limited to a maximum of 1,600 representing 60% capacity of the vessel.
- All guests and crew having the final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise.
- All guests must have a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within 2 days of their embarkation.
- All guests and crew going ashore must observe local requirements for wearing the require PPE such as facial masks and 6 feet physical distancing.
- No unwell guests or crew will be allowed ashore.
"The health and safety of our people and visitors to our shores continues to be a priority in our phased reopening plan," said Minister for Tourism and Transport, Hon. Kenneth Bryan.
"Currently, over 1,000 Caymanians are displaced due to the closure of our cruise ports, and as we safely reopen our borders, the cruise sector will be a key part of the tourism industry's recovery. This single cruise ship call presents an opportunity for us to find the safest way to welcome back our cruise visitors while we can continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic," Bryan added.
Guests and crew aboard the ship will be subjected to the same requirements as stayover visitors, including pre-arrival testing.
The Ministry and Department of Tourism says it will work with the Port Authority of the Cayman Islands to execute the single cruise ship call on December 28.
"This has been an ongoing conversation with the cruise industry about what conditions are required to make this a safe experience for everyone involved and how to make that feasible. We thank Holland America for being an excellent partner and leading the way for this new era of cruise travel in the Cayman Islands for the foreseeable future," Bryan said.
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