U.S. & Canada Sailings Questions & Answers

All guests 12 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated on all Holland America Line cruises. Children under 5 years of age do not need to be vaccinated. Children between 5-11 years of age may be unvaccinated but will need to go through an exemption process and may be subject to additional testing, fees and protocols. Holland America line operates fully vaccinated cruises that meet the U.S. CDC requirement for sailing. Exemptions will be very limited and not guaranteed.

For an individual to be considered fully vaccinated, at least 14 days must have passed after the administration of the last dose in their primary vaccine series. Some countries and regions also have a time limit on when the last dose was given or have a booster requirement to be considered fully vaccinated. The U.S. CDC recommends a booster 5 months after your mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series.

We strongly encourage all people to receive a booster dose as soon as they are eligible. Boosters strongly protect against infections, severe illness, hospitalization and death. 

Boosters may be required by certain health authorities on the itinerary or required on specific voyages. New vaccination entry requirements can change without notice, so we encourage all guests keep their vaccination status up to date.

We only accept vaccines that are approved or authorized for emergency use by the U.S. FDA, or the World Health Organization, or the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Some countries and regions on the itinerary may only accept vaccines approved by their regulatory agencies.

For updated authorized vaccine information, refer to:
See  authorized U.S. FDA vaccines
See  authorized World Health Organization vaccines
See authorized European Medicines Agency vaccines

Digital or paper records, or QR codes, showing the vaccine type, the date of each vaccine administered, the individuals name and date of birth or other identifier.

In a two dose vaccine series, we accept mixed vaccines types only if at least 2 doses of an authorized vaccine were administered at least 28 days apart, with the last dose given at least 14 days before sailing.

Yes – guests are still considered fully vaccinated with completion of a primary vaccination series at least 14 days before embarkation.

Children under 5 years of age do not need to be vaccinated. Children between 5-11 years of age may be unvaccinated but will need to go through an exemption process and may be subject to additional testing, fees and protocols. Holland America line operates fully vaccinated cruises that meet the U.S. CDC requirement for sailing. Exemptions for guests 12 years and older will be limited and not guaranteed.

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. 

We manage an exemption process for children 5-11 years of age who are not vaccinated. All exemptions must still follow all other requirements for unvaccinated guests. Limited exemptions will be considered. Children under five years old (who are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccine) are not required to apply for vaccine exemption.

To request an exemption, please call us:

• North America: 1-800-577-1728
• Southampton, U.K.: 0344 338 8605
• Rotterdam Office: 00800 1873 1873
• Netherlands: 0800 724 5425
• Sydney Office: 1300 987 322

Given the advanced progress of vaccination programs, and strong expressed preference on the part of our guests, all sailings 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.

Yes.  All guests age 2 and older are required to take a pre-travel COVID-19 test.  The type and timing of the test is dependent on the embarkation country and vaccination status.

Guests who have recovered from COVID-19 within three months of their embarkation, do not need to get a viral test before embarkation if they are at least 10 days past their COVID-19 infection, have no symptoms and produce documentation of recovery from COVID-19 infection. 

Documentation of Recovery consists of the following: 

• Paper or electronic copies of the positive viral test result from a certified laboratory (dated no more than 90 days ago), or 
• A valid digital COVID-19 certificate (DCC) or a document issued by an official health or government authority showing confirmed previous infection. 

Guests who present these documents will need to go through a secondary screening at the terminal and boarding will be approved at the medical staff’s discretion. If guests are not able to obtain documentation of recovery that fulfills the above requirements, they will need to take the required COVID-19 viral test and show a negative result. 

Guests embarking in a Canadian port OR a U.S. port that includes Canada in the itinerary:

All guests aged 2 and older are required to take either an antigen COVID-19 test within 2 days of embarkation or PCR COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to embarkation or arrival for the land portion of a Cruisetour.  

Guests embarking from a U.S. port that does not include Canada in the itinerary:

All guests aged two and older who are up to date with their vaccines, i.e., received a booster if eligible, may take their antigen or PCR COVID-19 test within 3 days prior to sailing. If the sailing is on Saturday, the test may be taken on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, and as late as Saturday, if you are guaranteed to receive your results in time for check-in. If a guest is fully vaccinated but not up to date with their vaccines (i.e., is eligible for a booster but has not received one), they must take their pre-cruise COVID-19 antigen or PCR test within 2 days prior to sailing. The test may be taken on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

Guests on an Alaska Cruisetour:
COVID-19 testing may be required before and during your tour. View Cruisetour Testing Requirements

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

We have 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 no more than two weeks prior to boarding. Order your test kit online here.*  (2-pack for $69.99 or 3-pack for $99.99). An eMed 6-pack for $150 is available here.* 

Radeas offers an at-home antigen test kit ($45 each), which can be ordered and shipped to your door for free in 5-7 business days. The kit includes a telemedicine consultation. Orders can be shipped within one month of your cruise date. Order your Radeas kit online here. *

Curative provides testing via drive-throughs, kiosks, or mobile sites and receive your results digitally in 1-2 days. You will be able to find a location and schedule a service at one of their 10,000 sites by visiting https://curative.com/.*

Another testing option may be available for fully vaccinated guests who are having trouble getting a pre-cruise testing appointment on select voyages. 

For voyages departing from the U.S. and Canada through September 30, 2022, we will be able to provide a limited number of antigen tests for fully vaccinated guests only at a cost of $60 per person charged via credit card at the time of reservation.  Reservations are required and may be made up to 10 days in advance. Testing will take place on embarkation day at or near the cruise terminal. Test appointments are subject to capacity restrictions and reservations are required. Click here to register. https://www.docgo.com/cruiseguests*

*You are now leaving the Holland America Line website and navigating to a 3rd party website that is not owned, operated, or controlled by Holland America Line or any of its affiliates.

Up to date means a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, including any booster dose, when eligible. Fully vaccinated guests are encouraged to visit the CDC's website  to determine when they are eligible for a booster.

Land first Cruisetours:
We have implemented a new requirement and Cruisetour guests 2 years of age or older must now produce a negative COVID-19 test at the start of their pre-cruise land tour. The test must be medically observed and can be an antigen test taken within 2 days or a PCR test taken within 3 days of the start of the tour. At-home medically observed antigen tests such as https://bit.ly/optumtest are allowed. A negative COVID-19 test prior to embarkation of the cruise portion of the Cruisetour will be provided on a complimentary basis.

Cruise first Cruisetours:
Guests will be required to meet the standard cruise pre-cruise COVID-19 testing requirements prior to arriving for cruise embarkation. 

All guests over 2 years of age that are participating in a cruise first Cruisetour who will continue from Skagway to the Yukon will receive a complimentary COVID-19 antigen test before disembarking in Juneau. There will also be a complimentary antigen test given before the flight to Fairbanks.  Should there be any other COVID-19 tests required for the land portion after disembarking the ship they would be coordinated by Holland America Line and would be complimentary.

All guests over 5 years of age must also be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and bring acceptable proof of COVID-19 vaccination to present at Cruisetour check-in. Boosters are encouraged for eligible guests.       

Vaccinated guests may use a medically observed self-test (sometimes referred to a at-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.
• 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 the acceptable proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

Guests age 2 and older 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)

In an abundance of caution, as well as evidence that vaccinated people can become infected and can spread COVID-19, we have implemented 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. 

The following formats are acceptable proofs of a negative COVID-19 test: paper negative COVID-19 test results (original only), 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 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 if it is a PCR NAAT or antigen test)
• A specimen collection date that meets the pre-embarkation testing requirements.   
• 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

If a guest brings proof of testing without results to the pier, Holland America Line will test them at no charge. Guests who arrive without a negative test result will experience a delayed embarkation, additional testing fees and risk denied boarding and subject to quarantine should a positive result be returned. The homeport labs will either be in or near our terminals.

We strongly recommend all guest take a viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) prior to leaving home to avoid queues and travel disruptions associated with a possible positive test result on the day of embarkation. 

We understand that it may be difficult for some of our guests to find testing that can provide results within the allotted timeframe. Accordingly, for fully vaccinated guests on voyages through September 30, 2022, we will be able to provide a limited number of antigen tests for a cost of $60 per person which will be payable via credit card at the time of reservation. Reservations required and may be made up to 10 days in advance and testing will take place on embarkation day at the cruise terminal. Test appointments are subject to capacity restrictions and reservations are required. https://www.docgo.com/cruiseguests *

In accordance with CDC protocols, guests who test positive for COVID-19 on embarkation day will be denied boarding, together with their family members and close contacts, may be required to quarantine shoreside, and may be restricted from commercial air travel. If you, or your family members, traveling companions or other close contacts are suspected of having COVID-19 and are denied boarding, you will be entitled to a 100% Future Cruise Credit.

*You are now leaving the Holland America Line website and navigating to a 3rd party website that is not owned, operated, or controlled by Holland America Line or any of its affiliates.

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.

Anyone reporting or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms will be reviewed by the shipboard medical staff and tested for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). COVID-19 cases will be assessed and treated either in their stateroom, or in a designated area of the Medical Center in a single occupancy ward. Positive cases that do not require admission to the ship’s medical center, or medical disembarkation, will most likely be moved to a different stateroom for the duration of their isolation. 

Due to restrictions at some ports, it may be required that guests who have tested positive and their close contacts disembark and continue isolation ashore instead of on the ship. If you’re required to disembark the ship, we’ll work with the local port authorities to secure the most appropriate accommodation for your period of isolation. In some instances, local authorities require isolation take place at a specific hotel, pre-approved to accommodate positive cases of COVID-19.

Exceptions may apply for asymptomatic guests who have tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days of their embarkation if they are at least 10 days past their COVID-19 infection, are fully recovered with no symptoms and produce documentation of recovery from COVID-19 infection. 
 

Documentation of Recovery consists of the following: 

• Paper or electronic copies of the positive viral test result from a certified laboratory (dated no more than 90 days ago), or 
• A valid digital COVID-19 Certificate (DCC) or a document issued by a health or government authority showing confirmed previous infection. 
   

Guest who present these documents will need to go through a secondary screening at the terminal, and boarding will be approved at the medical staff’s discretion.

Yes, if a negative antigen COVID-19 test is required for re-entry into your home country, Holland America Line will cover the costs of a COVID-19 test which will be conducted onboard before disembarkation. The U.S. no longer requires testing for reentry into the country.

1. Negative pre-cruise COVID-19 test for guest ages 2 and older.
2. Proof of Vaccination.
3. Complete vaccination attestation in the Holland America Line Navigator app or online. 
4. Complete your Holland America Line health questionnaire 72-24 hours before you embark the ship using the Holland America Line Navigator app or online.
5. Complete ArriveCAN within 72 hours of embarkation. Guests not from Canada who are starting their cruise in Canada will need to complete ArriveCAN 72 hours before arrival and fill it out again within 72 hours of embarkation. Canadian guests will need to fill out ArriveCAN 72 hours before embarkation.
6. Complete VeriFLY (optional for faster check-in).
7. Complete your Online Check-In at Holland America.com as soon as you have booked. 

We encourage vaccinated guests to use VeriFLY, a secure, free digital health application that allows them the ability to easily upload required pre-embarkation information, like their proof of vaccination and negative COVID-19 test results. Completing these tasks before check-in will make embarkation a faster and more seamless experience. Unvaccinated guests or vaccinated guests who are unable to complete the VeriFLY process must present the required COVID-19 documentation at the time of check-in. 

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.

The terms and conditions associated with reservations on a charter are determined and administered by the organizing charterer. As such, Holland America Line’s standard booking policies, including the Worry-free Promise and certain aspects of TravelWell®, do not apply to charters. Holland America Line does provide non-monetary support to guests who require Covid-related assistance at embarkation or during their cruise. Please contact the organizer for any questions related to your charter booking.

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. 

Our current policy is that guests will not need to pack and disembark with luggage for this testing between cruises.  Final details will be confirmed once on board, including when and where to go for testing.

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.

Yes, guests may book pre-cruise lodging through Holland America Line or at your own discretion, following local guidelines and entry requirements.

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.

Yes, onboard team member vaccinations will be in accordance with CDC guidelines.   We’re also actively administering boosters to our crewmembers.

Yes, all guests over 2 years of age that are participating in a cruise first Cruisetour who will continue from Skagway to the Yukon will receive a complimentary COVID-19 antigen test before disembarking in Juneau. There will also be a complimentary antigen test given before the flight to Fairbanks.  

Should a guest receive a positive COVID-19 test result during this process, the guest, and their very close contacts (cabin mates or others who have spent extended periods of time together in close proximity indoors without a mask) will enter isolation on board the ship for 5 days until they test negative for COVID-19 (up to 10 days). Guests and their close contacts will not be allowed to debark in Juneau due to limited hotel availability and to take advantage of additional services available on board the ship. 

Masks on board are recommended but not required indoors or outdoors*. We highly recommend guests wear a mask in the World Stage and other entertainment areas, casino, spa treatment rooms, Club HAL and during other congregate events. Masks may be required in terminals where local laws take priority. 

Masks may be required in terminals where local laws take priority or upon circumstances beyond our control to meet government mandates should they occur.

When going ashore guests must be prepared to follow all local guidance regarding masks and physical distancing. The status of local guidelines will be shared with guests prior to disembarkation at the destination.

Health experts advise that guests use a higher-grade mask while indoors (such as KN95 or surgical masks) that have two or more layers, completely cover the nose and mouth, fit snuggly against the side of the face and have a nose wire. Please note that visors and face shields will not be accepted as a substitute for a face mask. Holland America Line will be providing complimentary surgical mask(s) on board with replacements available upon request. 

*PLEASE NOTE: Masks are required on the ship indoors on Alaska cruises that sail from Whittier to Vancouver and Vancouver to Whittier. 

Anyone reporting or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms will be reviewed by the shipboard medical staff and tested for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). COVID-19 cases will be assessed and treated either in their stateroom, or in a designated area of the Medical Center in a single occupancy ward. Onboard COVID-19 related medical center care for positive or suspected COVID-19 cases will be free of charge. 

Positive cases that do not require admission to the ship’s medical center, or medical disembarkation, will most likely be moved to a different stateroom (ocean view or verandah stateroom if available) for the duration of their isolation. 

If you, your family members, travelling companions or other close contact are quarantined or medically isolated during your voyage because of a positive COVID-19 test or are suspected of having COVID-19, you are entitled to a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for missed cruise days, including the time in quarantine, for you, your travel party, and any confirmed close contacts.

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. If you have purchased a travel protection plan through us, you and your traveling companion may make a claim for a refund under the trip interruption benefit instead of receiving the FCC. 

While we welcome guests who use oxygen concentrators and are undergoing peritoneal dialysis, we are currently unable to accept guests who use oxygen tanks or are undergoing hemodialysis at this time. We remain optimistic that out 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, our teammates will serve you at all times. Line monitors will also manage guest flow.

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.

The ship will have medical capabilities on board via a Medical Center that includes doctors and nurses trained to care for a full spectrum of medical scenarios, including COVID-19. Each ship will also be outfitted with a variety of medications, supplies and equipment, which includes onboard COVID-19 testing capabilities.

Our onboard crew work continuously to maintain a clean, sanitary environment to ensure guests feel comfortable traveling with us, to include: 

• Frequent cleaning and sanitization of hard surfaces in all public areas 
• Routinely use a safe disinfectant proven to quickly kill novel coronaviruses, as outlined on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) N list for use against COVID-19. 
  
• Suites and public areas sanitized more frequently with cleaning and disinfection protocols developed in coordination with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) 
  
• Ships and terminals undergo more thorough sanitization between cruises 
• Expanded disinfection methods using emerging and advanced technologies that are proven effective against coronavirus and other germs 
• HEPA filters will be used for all cleaning equipment 

We are implementing air management and ventilation strategies to maximize the use of outside, fresh air and the air exchange rate on board in public areas and suites. Where feasible, we will utilize enhanced filters and other technologies to mitigate risk. Current evidence shows that fresh air is effective in reducing the concentration of airborne contaminants, including viruses. Our HVAC system updates are designed to create 10 air changes per hour on our vessels. 
 

We are increasing the ship air conditioning system filtration standard to F7 filters (MERV 13), which are finer mesh filters and highly effective in filtering out airborne particles and viruses. In areas where F7 filtration cannot be installed due to technical limitations, portable HEPA filtration units and ultraviolet light (UV) have been installed. 

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

Guests can explore destinations on their own or on independent third-party tours. This is subject to change at any time; however, we highly recommend you choose shore excursions with Holland America Line as our teams are in contact with local officials who oversee health and safety standards for these guides and tours.  

The ability for guests to go ashore in ports of call is controlled by the governments of the ports we visit based on their individual COVID-19 protocols and requirements, which are quickly evolving and being updated. There are ports that do not allow unvaccinated guests ashore. Guests should consult with the government websites for details on vaccine and testing requirements for the countries they will be visiting. 

Please be aware that as destination conditions change, you may be required to take a Holland America Line shore excursion to go ashore. 

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.

Our Casinos are enhanced with frequent sanitation of all high-touch surfaces, including table game positions, slot machines, and cashier areas. Smoking is allowed in the casino on select ships.