Saga Cruises, a UK owner of two passengerships, with a third expected this year, is requiring all passengers to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 before they can come aboard.
The company, which targets the over-50s market and whose parent is listed on the London Stock Exchange, expects to start sailing its tiny fleet again in May, to give passengers time to get the two vaccine shots.
"The health and safety of our customers has always been our number one priority at Saga, so we have taken the decision to require everyone travelling with us to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19," spokesman Tom Grant told TradeWinds.
"Our customers want the reassurance of the vaccine and to know others travelling with them will be vaccinated too."
Passengers will be required to provide proof of full vaccination at check-in before boarding its two vessels, the 999-berth Spirit of Discovery (built 2019) and Spirit of Adventure (built 2020).
As well as the vaccine requirement, Saga will implement a long list of Covid-19 prevention measures, including pre-departure testing at home and in the terminal for passengers and crew.
Private chauffeurs
"Our new vaccination policy will be in addition to the detailed arrangements we have already put in place for when cruises and other holidays restart," Grant said.
Other precautions include reducing passenger capacity to 800, increasing crew-to-passenger ratio, social distancing, a larger medical team and private chauffeurs for passengers living within 250 miles (400 km) of the terminal.
Saga has also installed an upgraded air-conditioning system that will provide further air circulation.
"These go above and beyond the guidance from the UK Chamber of Shipping, which has been agreed by public health experts and the government, as confirmed by our Lloyd's Register Shield+ accreditation," Grant said.
Will others follow?
It is not known whether other cruiseship owners will require passengers to be vaccinated prior to boarding.
"We are still in the process of finalising the details for our return to service and as soon as we have more information on our requirements, we will let our guests know," Royal Caribbean Group spokesman Jonathon Fishman told TradeWinds.
Carnival Corp is also working out how it will return to sailing.
"We are reviewing the various vaccines, but have not made any definitive decision on next steps at this point," spokesman Roger Frizzell told TradeWinds.
A call to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings was not immediately returned.
