Holland America Line Drops Pre-Cruise Testing Requirement for Most Sailings

Holland America Line today announced that it was further simplifying its pre-cruise COVID-19 requirements for its guests, dropping the testing requirement, regardless of vaccination status, for most sailings.

The change, which is effective immediately, means that all guests on “Standard Protocol” sailings will be able to board without showing proof of a negative test, or testing at the terminal, prior to boarding.

There are still some sailings that fall outside of the “Standard Protocol” category, but the majority of Holland America sailings, including Panama Canal transits of up to 15 nights, are considered to be “Standard Protocol.” Guests and travel advisors can check their specific sailing via Holland America’s lookup tool.

“Our guests continue to show their excitement to return to cruising, and this is another step toward making it as easy as possible for them to safely explore the world in a way they love,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. 

Holland America will continue to make use of its VeriFLY app, which cuts down the time needed to check in at embarkation, and the line will continue to recommend guests be vaccinated and use the TravelWell section of its website for updates prior to departure.

The cruise line is currently in the midst of celebrating its 150-year anniversary. Last week, at an event onboard Rotterdam in New York, Mark Levine, the president of the borough of Manhattan, presented a proclamation naming October 26, 2022, to be Holland America Line Appreciation Day and applauded the company’s significant role in the immigrant experience in New York City.