MONACO — Silversea has joined the growing list of cruise lines to require all guests and crew to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to boarding.

The new requirement, which is in line with the CDC’s recommendations for safe international travel, will apply to all Silversea voyages globally, with the exclusion of sailings departing from Australia, for which protocol is still under evaluation. 

All crew and guests will also be required to take a COVID-19 test prior to boarding, with only those who test negative permitted to board. All guests will undergo pre-embarkation health screening, including an enhanced health questionnaire and touchless temperature check. 

In addition, guests will also need to comply with local health regulations in the country of embarkation. These could include an additional COVID-19 test (PCR or other) that may be required to enter the country or port of departure. 

 “Our guests share our excitement for our eagerly-anticipated healthy return to service. In recent months, we have seen the cruise industry resume responsibly in destinations around the world and we are delighted to announce these new inaugural sailings for our flagship,” says Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO of Silversea Cruises.

“Vaccinations will play a critical role in ensuring the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit, which we priorities above all else. Paired with our science-backed onboard procedures, which leverage on the expertise of the Royal Caribbean Group’s Healthy Sail Panel, vaccinations will enable our guests to travel deep into the world once again, with a renewed sense of appreciation for our beautiful planet,” he added. 

The new mandate will go into effect ahead of newly announced sailings onboard Silversea’s new flagship, Silver Moon. Setting sail from June 18, the ship will depart Greece on 10-day roundtrip itineraries to the Eastern Mediterranean, with calls that include Santorini, Paros, Mykonos and Crete, as well as Haifa (Israel) and Cyprus. The new itineraries will be unveiled and go on general sale from April 15.

Silversea is following the lead of other cruise lines that have recently announced vaccination requirements for guests. These include NCL, Windstar, Crystal and Riviera River Cruises.  

For more information on Silversea’s health and travel advisories go to https://www.silversea.com/lp-silversea-hrts-consumer.html.