Costa Cruises Simplifies COVID-19 Protocols

Starting October 8, fully vaccinated guests will no longer have to test pre-cruise to board a Costa cruise in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or the UAE. In addition, in the Med (excluding Greece) and Caribbean, unvaccinated guests can sail with proof of a pre-embarkation negative antigen test or RT-PCR molecular test taken within 48 hours of embarkation.

The new protocols apply to Mediterranean (excluding Greece) and Caribbean cruises under 14 nights.

In Greece, cruises continue to be available only to fully-vaccinated, partially vaccinated (2 doses + recovery or 1 dose + recovery) and recovered guests and who have proof of a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours of embarkation.

On cruises visiting Morocco, guests without full vaccination will need to take an additional RT-PCR molecular test on board 48 hours prior to entry into the country.

In the Caribbean, excursions for unvaccinated guests in Barbados, St. Vincent and St. Maarten is permitted only with a negative result of an antigen test performed 24 to 48 hours prior to the ships arrival.

Onboard tests for the Caribbean and Morocco are available on Costa ships for an extra fee.

Around-the-world cruises, transatlantic and generally all cruises longer than 14 nights are only open to fully-vaccinated cruisers, and pre-cruise tests are still required. In addition, on these cruises mask use on board is mandatory in public areas during the first seven days of the cruise.

In all destinations where full vaccination is required, the requirement applies only to guests aged 12 and older (except on Around-the-World and transatlantic cruises, which is age 18 and older). Testing requirements are for guests aged 5 and older.