I had started writing this article numerous times but between write and edit so much changes that I had yet to actually finish it. As vaccination counts increase and more opportunities present themselves the requirements and directives for travel are changing daily.
So as of today here is what we know for sure.
Now fully vaccinated we have taken a leap of faith and booked a Greek Isles cruise through Norwegian Cruise Lines for early August. Actually we booked it at a time between our first dose and second and before we knew what was actually going to happen with travel, hence the leap of faith. To be safe we are cruising in one country only, Greece which is open to Canadian travelers, we booked our flights through the cruise line (at a great deal since we are not staying before or after the cruise) and are taking our excursions through the ship as well.
We are booked to get a PCR test, which we have to pay for, before we fly. If you are flying out of Ontario you can book through www.lifelabs.com/flyclear. This option is also available in British Columbia.
We have to complete a health questionnaire and upload photos for our security check in before we leave instead of at the port. There will be a staggered check in with scheduled times to avoid the usual pre-covid crowds.
We will get an antigen test at the cruise port, provided and paid for by Norwegian. 100% of passengers and crew must be fully vaccinated at least two week before departure and provide acceptable proof.
We will also get an antigen test by Norwegian before we disembark but will need to get a PCR test done at Athens airport in order to get back into Canada. With that and our proof of vaccinations we do not have to quarantine or stay at a hotel. We do have to register with the government before returning with all of our proof. Organizing all of that has been the difficult part.
Now for the fun part. Since everyone on the cruise will be fully vaccinated, Norwegian has advised us that;
- We can cruise mask free
- There are no capacity restrictions so all venues and experiences are open
- No social distancing is required
- All restaurants are open, including the self-service buffet
- There are no restrictions on shore excursions so we could book private tours if we wanted to and explore on our own in port
Full information about the health and safety protocols for this, and I am sure other cruise lines are all available on their websites. You can also call and ask questions if you are unsure about anything.
Norwegian will also provide us with more in-depth safety information about our destination(s) within 30 days of sail as global travel requirements are constantly changing. Even the Government of Canada website qualifies much of the information as “for now”. To get tons of information regarding travel, testing and entry requirements please go to https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid.
We were able to secure out of country Emergency Medical Insurance that includes medical emergencies related to Covid-19 as long as you are vaccinated and have not caught or been diagnosed with the disease within a specific time period before leaving. If you are unvaccinated you can also get coverage but you must apply, and I would assume pay a higher premium. The coverage is available despite the “avoid non-essential travel” advisory from the government of Canada as long as you comply with your provincial or territorial requirements. However, Trip Cancellation is not available if you have to cancel due to a positive covid diagnosis.
It would be safe to say that we have done more research and planning on this seven day cruise than we have done for many before it. It’s almost as if we are cruising for the first time, which after a two year hiatus, is almost true.