U.S. Sailings Questions & Answers

• Negative COVID-19 Test: Cruises departing September 13 through December 31, 2021, ALL fully vaccinated guests will be required to produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) result taken within 2 days of their embarkation.
  
  
• Proof of Vaccination: It is our guests’ responsibility to comply with our current Holland America Line vaccination policy.   Additionally, using the Navigator mobile app or online check-in, guests will be required to attest that they are fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise, and bring an original proof of vaccination to cruise check-in.
  
  The original proof of vaccination should clearly show the guest’s name on the vaccination card matching their photo ID, the dates of vaccine doses (final dose must have been received at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise), and the name of facility administering the vaccination. Alternative proof may be required if there are questions and concerns about the submitted proof of vaccination. Failure to provide this required documentation may result in denial of boarding. During check-in at the terminal, guests are required to show proof of vaccination.
  
  
• Health Questionnaire: You must also complete your Holland America Line health questionnaire 72-24 hours before you embark the ship using the Navigator mobile app or online check-in. You’ll be asked to complete the questionnaire before leaving home to begin traveling on your vacation, and then reconfirm your answers when arriving at the port.  
  
  If you have any symptoms of illness, you will be separated from other embarking guests for secondary medical screening.  Depending on the outcome of the screening, you and your traveling party may be denied boarding. During a secondary medical screening, our medical staff will need to verify your health questionnaire answers, or any corrections, and then consider whether to permit you to embark.  
  
  If you refuse to be tested or screened, or to follow the COVID-19 Protocols, you may be denied boarding and no refund or credit will be issued.  Information provided will be subject to our privacy notice on hollandamerica.com, and shared only as needed with Holland America Line personnel, third parties or local health authorities as part of screening and embarkation-related health protocols.

Given the current global travel and health environment, all booked guests are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance prior to departure to protect against losses. For eligible guests, CPP Platinum insurance that provides a broad range of benefits, including for COVID-19-related expenses, subject to the plan terms. Guests can also purchase third-party travel insurance as well and should check with the provider for specific details on their coverage terms and policies. While highly recommended, travel insurance is not required to cruise.

Yes, back-to-back bookings will be available for vaccinated guests, subject to availability.

Guests on back-to-back voyages will need to disembark the ship at the end of each voyage, receive a complimentary viral COVID-19 test, and will be permitted to board the ship again once they receive a negative test result.

Guests who test positive for COVID-19 will be denied boarding on the next voyage, together with their family members and close contacts who are not fully vaccinated. If you, your family members, travelling companions or other close contacts are suspected of having COVID-19, you are entitled to a 100% Future Cruise Credit.

We will closely monitor all guidance and will adapt and evolve this policy accordingly.

A complimentary antigen or PCR COVID-19 test will be administered to all guests on board on Day 5 or 6 of the voyage. This test fulfills the requirements for onward travel home in most instances where guests board a flight immediately after their cruise.   

Guests who book a post-cruise stay before traveling home should ensure they meet all testing requirements. If the test provided on board does not meet the requirements for onward travel, additional testing is the responsibility of the guest at their expense.

Guests are allowed to book pre-cruise  hotels. They must, however, fulfill all requirements for pre-cruise testing as the destination requires.

Guests should check for the latest requirements on the destination official government websites to understand what documents and tests may be required upon arrival.

Yes. Holland America Line is offering post-cruise hotel packages. 
 

You may also book lodging at your own discretion, following local guidelines. Guests must fulfill all requirements for additional testing for onward travel however as the destination(s) may require.  If the test provided on board does not meet the requirements for onward travel, additional testing is the responsibility of the guest at their expense.   Guests should check for the latest requirements on the destination official government websites to understand what documents and tests may be required for a post-cruise extended stay. 

Please refer to Know Before you Go on our website for more details on travel documentation requirements.

• Negative COVID-19 Test: Cruises departing September 13 through December 31, 2021, ALL fully vaccinated guests will be required to produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) result taken within 2 days of their embarkation.
  
  
• Proof of Vaccination: It is our guests’ responsibility to comply with our current Holland America Line vaccination policy.   Additionally, using the Navigator mobile app or online check-in, guests will be required to attest that they are fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise, and bring an original proof of vaccination to cruise check-in.
  
  The original proof of vaccination should clearly show the guest’s name on the vaccination card matching their photo ID, the dates of vaccine doses (final dose must have been received at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise), and the name of facility administering the vaccination. Alternative proof may be required if there are questions and concerns about the submitted proof of vaccination. Failure to provide this required documentation may result in denial of boarding. During check-in at the terminal, guests are required to show proof of vaccination.
  
  
• Health Questionnaire: You must also complete your Holland America Line health questionnaire 72-24 hours before you embark the ship using the Navigator mobile app or online check-in. You’ll be asked to complete the questionnaire before leaving home to begin traveling on your vacation, and then reconfirm your answers when arriving at the port.  
  
  If you have any symptoms of illness, you will be separated from other embarking guests for secondary medical screening.  Depending on the outcome of the screening, you and your traveling party may be denied boarding. During a secondary medical screening, our medical staff will need to verify your health questionnaire answers, or any corrections, and then consider whether to permit you to embark.  
  
  If you refuse to be tested or screened, or to follow the COVID-19 Protocols, you may be denied boarding and no refund or credit will be issued.  Information provided will be subject to our privacy notice on hollandamerica.com, and shared only as needed with Holland America Line personnel, third parties or local health authorities as part of screening and embarkation-related health protocols.

Given the advanced progress of vaccination programs, and strong expressed preference on the part of our guests, sailings through December 31, 2021 will be for COVID-19 vaccinated guests only. Policies continue to change and we will continue to monitor and adapt to the latest advice. If our policies change, an update will be shared with booked guests and travel advisors, as well as on the Holland America Line website.

Our 2021 cruises are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and the dates given will be required and will need to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding. Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding. If you are unlikely to be fully vaccinated at the time of departure, please refer to our Worry Free Promise and Flexible Cancellation policies.

Guests who travel internationally should always ensure they understand all entry and airlines requirements to travel from their home country and the destinations they plan to visit, including where health authorities may require pre-travel COVID-19 testing. Details continue to be updated regularly; official websites and apps developed by government agencies and tourism ministries are the recommended resources. 

At this time, sailings through December 31, 2021 are available to fully vaccinated guests.

Acceptable vaccines are those that have an emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or will have received emergency use listing from the World Health Organization (WHO).

It is each guest’s responsibility to comply with our current Holland America Line vaccination policy. Prior to the cruise departure, guests will be required to attest that they have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination. 
 

The following formats are acceptable proofs of full vaccination: original COVID-19 vaccination card, digital COVID-19 certificate (QR code acceptable); or record of COVID-19 vaccination from a healthcare provider including original digital email notification, personal electronic health record, or government Immunization Information System (IIS) record. 

 
The following identifiers for the proof of full vaccination should include your first and last name, a patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record ID, or government ID, type of vaccine (manufacturer), date of all doses administered, lot number, if available, and healthcare professional or clinic site name.  The full proof of vaccination must show that your final dose of vaccine was received at least two weeks (14 days) prior to the beginning of the cruise.  Alternative proof may be required if there are questions and concerns about the proof of vaccination you produce. During check-in at the terminal, you will be required to show full proof of vaccination. If you are unable to produce the described proof of vaccination, you will be denied boarding without refund, credit or compensation of any kind. 

 
Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding. Information provided will be subject to our privacy notice on hollandamerica.com, and shared only as needed with Holland America Line personnel, third parties or local health authorities as part of screening and embarkation-related health protocols. 

To be considered fully vaccinated, you must have received the full series of a US FDA or WHO authorized COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of authorized vaccines and have received your last dose at least 14 days prior to the day of embarkation.

For cruises departing the United States, the CDC require both vaccines in a 2-dose series to be of the same type. They also accept mixing mRNA vaccines only (each dose is from either Pfizer and Moderna.) No other combinations are considered fully vaccinated.

For cruises outside of the United States, you may be regarded as fully vaccinated if you have received your first dose of AstraZeneca followed by a single dose of mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) to complete the 2-dose series.

No.  Guests who have received the full series of a US FDA or WHO authorized COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of authorized vaccines and have received your last dose at least 14 days prior to the day of embarkation are considered fully vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccine boosters are not required at this time, nor is a 14 day waiting period after a booster has been administered.

Regardless of age, all guests on voyages departing through December 31, 2021 must be fully vaccinated in order to sail. Guests should always ensure they understand all requirements to travel for their home country and the destinations they plan to visit. Details continue to be updated regularly and official websites and apps developed by government agencies and tourism ministries are the recommended resources to check for the most current guidance.

It is each guest’s responsibility to comply with our current Holland America Line vaccination policy. Prior to the cruise departure, guests will be required to attest that they have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination.

Original proof of vaccination will be required at cruise check-in and should clearly show the guest’s name on the vaccination card matching their photo ID, the dates of vaccine doses, and the name of facility administering the vaccination. Alternative proof may be required if there are questions and concerns about the submitted proof of vaccination. 

Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding. Information provided will be subject to our privacy notice on hollandamerica.com, and shared only as needed with Holland America Line personnel, third parties or local health authorities as part of screening and embarkation-related health protocols. 

On cruises departing September 13, 2021 through December 31, 2021, in accordance with CDC directives, ALL guests will be required to produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) result taken within 2 days of their embarkation.

Testing protocols for voyages departing after November 1, 2021 will be communicated soon.

Guests will be required to provide proof of a negative, medically observed, viral COVID-19 test along with proof of full vaccination upon arrival in the terminal and can then proceed on board. Please note that testing in the terminal will not be available for vaccinated guests, so it’s critical that you have your negative test results with you upon your arrival. We will not be able to accommodate guests without proof of a negative pre-travel test.

Guests who received a vaccination exemption are still required to take a negative PCR test within 2 days prior to embarkation and will be tested again in the terminal prior to boarding the ship and again within 24 hours of debarkation (for itineraries five days or longer). Please note – only pre-travel PCR tests (and not Antigen tests) are accepted for unvaccinated tests. Unvaccinated guests will continue to be charged $150 per person for testing and administration.

Guests who travel internationally should always ensure they understand all entry and airlines requirements to travel from their home country and the destinations they plan to visit, including where health authorities may require pre-travel COVID-19 testing. In addition to mandatory pre-travel COVID tests for vaccinated guests, guests who have traveled internationally in the 14 days prior to embarkation, will require an Antigen test at embarkation. For US Sailings – this excludes travel to Canada. For sailings in the EU, this excludes travel to other EU countries. Details continue to be updated regularly; official websites and apps developed by government agencies and tourism ministries are the recommended resources.

These new requirements are being implemented to protect our guests and crew while onboard. We expect these requirements will be temporary and we appreciate your cooperation and look forward to welcoming you aboard.

In an abundance of caution and in response to the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 caused by the variants of concern such as the Delta variant, as well as evidence that vaccinated people can become infected and can spread COVID-19, we are implementing this mandatory testing policy. As always, Holland America Line's primary commitment is to the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the communities we bring our ships.  

Guests must be tested with a medically observed SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) viral test that could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). 

Antigen tests include:

• Rapid antigen test 
• Viral antigen test  
  
• Antigen Chromatographic Digital Immunoassay 
• Antigen Chemiluminescence Immunoassay  
• Antigen Lateral Flow Fluorescence
  
  

NAAT include:

• PCR - Polymerase chain reaction  
• RT-PCR – reverse transcription real time PCR   
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR)  
• Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) test  
• Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) test  
• Molecular test or molecular diagnostic test  
• Isothermal amplification  
• Droplet Digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)  
• Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)

For U.S. guests, Holland America Line has two partnerships to help make pre-travel testing access easier.

We have partnered with Quest Diagnostics to provide over 1,500 locations in the United States to schedule a no-cost* COVID-19 test appointment, with results delivered within 48 hours.

Click here to find a testing location near you.
BY CLICKING ABOVE, YOU WILL BE RE-DIRECTED TO OUR THIRD-PARTY VENDOR SITE

* This COVID-19 no-cost-to-you program is available to eligible individuals for $0 out of pocket when billed to a health plan or the government.


Additionally, Holland America Line has partnered with Optum so that U.S.-based vaccinated guests can order an FDA-authorized at-home antigen test kit, shipped to your door in 3 business days or less. These at-home tests include a personal virtually video-supervised visit with an eMed Certified Guide through telehealth services. These guides will help you properly administer the test and verify the results, within 15 minutes. The lab result report is delivered via email and can be printed or displayed on your mobile device during check-in. Please place your order with enough time to be shipped prior to your boarding.

Click here to order your at-home test kit.
BY CLICKING ABOVE, YOU WILL BE RE-DIRECTED TO OUR THIRD-PARTY VENDOR SITE

You can also contact your nearest health center, pharmacy, state health department, or transiting airport to learn more about their availability for COVID-19 testing. 

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The 2-day period is 2 days before your cruise’s departure. The 2-day timeframe provides you with more flexibility than a 48-hour timeframe. By using the 2-day window, your test validity does not depend on the time of your embarkation or the time of the day that your test was administered. For example, if your cruise departure is 4:00 PM on a Sunday, you may board with a negative COVID-19 test that was administered any time on the prior Friday or after.

Vaccinated guests may use a medically observed self-test (sometimes referred to as home test) that meets the following criteria: 

•  Only medically observed self-tests will be accepted.
• The test must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Please note, antigen tests are accepted for fully vaccinated guests, but not for unvaccinated guests. 

Additional Home Test criteria:

• The testing procedure must include a telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer of the test that provides real-time supervision remotely through an audio and video connection. Some FDA-authorized self-tests that include a telehealth service may require a prescription.
• The telehealth provider must confirm the person’s identity, observe the specimen collection and testing procedures, confirm the test result, and issue a report that meets the requirements of acceptable proof of a negative, medically observed, viral COVID-19 test.
  

The following formats are acceptable proofs of a negative COVID-19 test: paper negative COVID-19 test results (original only; no photocopies accepted), digital or emailed COVID-19 test results; or record of COVID-19 testing from a healthcare provider including original digital email notification or personal electronic health record.
 

The negative, medically observed, viral COVID-19 test result must include:

• Where the test was administered, including information such as the name and contact information for the laboratory or healthcare personnel who performed the test  
• Type of test (indicating it is a NAAT or antigen test)  
• A specimen collection date within 2 days before cruise departure  
• Guest’s name and either date of birth, age, or passport number 
  
   
• A negative test result using words or phrases including:
  • Negative  
  • Undetectable  
  • SARS-CoV-2 RNA not detected  
  • SARS-CoV-2 antigen not detected  
  • COVID-19 not detected  
  • Not reactive  
  • Test results marked “invalid” are not accepted

IMPORTANT: Starting Sept 13th, proof of negative test result needs to be taken within 2 days of embarkation.

We require ALL guests to produce a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within the required timeframe.

We realize some of our guests are having a challenge getting a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, especially considering this new guidance. We are working to set up mobile testing sites at all our embarkation homeports to conduct a rapid test the day before or day of your departure. We are still finalizing the details and will announce those shortly. 

Holland America Line will be subsidizing the infrastructure of the mobile testing sites, but the company providing the testing will charge a per person fee (to be established). Providers will not accept insurance, but you will be provided a receipt should you wish to submit the cost to your insurance carrier. You should consider this as a back-up alternative should you not receive your test results back in time.

If you bring proof of testing without results to the pier Holland America Line will test you at no charge.  Guests who arrive without a negative test result will experience a delayed embarkation and risk denied boarding and subject to quarantine should a positive result be returned. The mobile labs will either be in or nearby our terminals. We will provide specific instructions for each home port as details are finalized.

For Alaska sailings:
We are glad to know you are arriving pre-cruise to enjoy downtown Seattle! There are testing sites available and here is a link to the King County testing sites: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/testing.aspx.

Curative has a walk-up kiosk at the Seattle Center and WA State Convention Center – two easy to find locations.  You can book an appointment and results are sent electronically within 2 days. https://curative.com/

Guests who test positive for COVID-19 will not be permitted to board, together with their family members and close contacts, and should not travel to the ship.

If you, your family members, travelling companions or other close contacts are suspected of having COVID-19 and are not permitted to board, you are entitled to a 100% Future Cruise Credit as defined in our COVID-19 Protection Policy.

Exceptions may apply for fully vaccinated asymptomatic guests that have tested positive for COVID-19 in the 90 days prior to embarkation, and are fully recovered. Guests will need to provide a letter of recovery from their doctor and, laboratory test results that are not older than 90 days.

Yes, if a negative COVID-19 test is required for re-entry into your home country, Holland America Line will cover the costs of a COVID-19 test administered onboard the ship within the timeframe required prior to travel and prior to the end of the voyage.  Guests will receive a copy of the test result.  Guests are encouraged to review their home country's health authority and travel websites to understand the latest guidance on required testing and timing for return travel.

A complimentary antigen or PCR COVID-19 test will be administered to all guests on board on Day 5 or 6 of the voyage. This test fulfills the requirements for onward travel home in most instances where guests board a flight immediately after their cruise.   

Guests who book a post-cruise stay before traveling home should ensure they meet all testing requirements. If the test provided on board does not meet the requirements for onward travel, additional testing is the responsibility of the guest at their expense.

Guests will be assigned a boarding time to embark, which will be provided closer to the sailing date. Physical distancing will be managed in the cruise terminal as guests arrive and check in. Please download the Navigator mobile app for access to your digital boarding pass and more.  For the health and safety of all, guests arriving to the terminal more than 20 minutes prior to their assigned check-in time will be asked to return at their designated time in order to maintain proper controls on capacity.

Assigned check-in times will be processed initially at approximately 50 days prior to the sailing.  Updates will be processed again at 21, 14, 7 and 3 days prior to sailing.  If the time shows "To Be Assigned" it will be assigned with the next update processed for the sailing based on the above cadence of assignments.

All workers will be highly encouraged to be vaccinated.  We will require periodic testing of people working at the terminal, terminals will be sanitized more frequently, and workers will wear appropriate PPE and maintain social distancing.

Onboard team member vaccinations will be in accordance with CDC guidelines.

We strongly encourage guests wear face masks when in public spaces indoors. ALL guests will be required to wear a face mask – with no exceptions – in elevators and in designated indoor entertainment areas, all retail shops, and in the casino except when eating or drinking. Guests will also be required to wear face masks prior to being seated in our main dining rooms and in the buffet area, and occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate. As a reminder, masks are required during embark and debark in the terminal, and masks should also be worn during the debarkation process on board. This currently applies to sailings through December 31, 2021, however, guidance will be re-evaluated on an ongoing basis.


Holland America Line is providing a double-layer cloth mask for each guest on board. Guests may also use their own double-layer cloth or paper medical mask. Face coverings such as bandanas, neck gaiters, and masks with exhaust valves are not allowed.  We always recommend guests wash or replace their mask daily and choose a good quality, ideally medical grade, standard mask. Please note that visors and face shields will not be accepted as a substitute for a face mask. 


These new requirements are being implemented to protect our guests and crew while onboard. Several destinations have implemented their own requirements and all guests will be required to follow the protocols in each destination we visit. We expect these requirements will be temporary and we appreciate your cooperation and look forward to welcoming you aboard.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept guests who use supplemental oxygen or are on dialysis at this time for 2021 cruises. This includes guests who use oxygen concentrators. Our medical experts have determined that, for the guest’s own safety, this is the right decision. We’ve had to make some difficult decisions based on general public health guidelines and the overall health and safety of our guests. We remain optimistic that our approach on future sailings will become more flexible.

If you or any members of your party refuse to comply with our COVID-19 policies and onboard public health measures you may be disembarked at the first available opportunity or will not be allowed to board the ship. Other consequences could include being denied service, required stateroom isolation and being banned from sailing in the future. If you are non-compliant, you will not be entitled to a refund, credit or compensation of any kind and will be responsible for all costs and fines, including (without limitation) travel expenses. If your travel party is impacted and/or they are required or voluntarily choose to leave with you, the same policies will apply to them.

Yes, only now our teammates will serve you at all times. Line monitors will also manage guest flow.

Our 2021 cruises are available to guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise, regardless of age. Our youth program, Club HAL, will operate, but we will not offer food or drink other than water. The Club HAL programs will be geared to the ages of the children on the cruise. All persons (adult guests, children, and team members) inside the youth centers will wear a mask regardless of age or vaccination status.

High-touch surfaces, supplies, toys, and equipment will be sanitized frequently. High-contact sports games and singing activities, such as karaoke and the talent show, will not be offered.

Carnival Corporation has been working with a number of world-leading public health, epidemiological and policy experts to support its ongoing efforts for developing enhanced protocols and procedures for the return of cruise vacations based on the latest knowledge around protection and mitigation.

Every ship has dedicated medical staff (Doctors, Nurses, etc.) operating ship medical centers to serve guests and crew on board.  They are informed on the latest COVID-19 scientific status and trained on all relevant COVID-19 procedures.  

We’re enhancing our shipboard medical capabilities with the necessary staffing, medications, supplies, oxygen, equipment and procedures to triage and treat multiple COVID-19 cases across the full clinical spectrum including intensive care. We’ll also include staff responsible to oversee onboard aspects of public health and outbreak prevention and response.  

The medical staff requirements and equipment on each ship will meet or exceed the guidelines from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Healthcare Guidelines for Cruise Ship Medical Facilities.

Fully vaccinated guests will be allowed to interact with guests outside of their immediate family or travel group on 2021 cruises departing from U.S. ports.

Shore excursions offered by Holland America Line are strongly encouraged as local officials oversee health and safety standards for these guides. Independent tours or on-your-own exploration are currently permitted by local authorities.  While on shore, guests are required to follow local health and safety direction and requirements as advised by tour operators which currently include masks, physical distancing and enhanced sanitation guidelines.  Guests are advised that shore excursion operations are subject to change on short notice due to revisions in local health restrictions. 

 
You may pre-purchase shore excursions through MyAccount at hollandamerica.com, the Navigator app, and when sailing on board, subject to availability and capacity restrictions. 

 
Unvaccinated guests will only be permitted to go ashore through shore excursions sold by or through Holland America Line using tour operators who comply with our COVID-19 controls. Self-exploration or participation in shore excursions not sold through or operated by Holland America Line will not be permitted.

If you purchased a Holland America Line shore excursion and it is canceled by our company or the tour operator, or if you are denied from joining the tour, your shore excursion payment will be credited to your onboard account.