Royal Caribbean Group and Swan Hellenic will soon require their crew to be vaccinated for COVID-19 before returning to work, according to the Crew Center.
In an email to crew members obtained by the Miami Herald, Royal Caribbean Group said the company was still working on details of how to vaccinate its shipboard workforce but expects it will soon be a requirement.
“The process may be different depending on where you live, the timing of your next contract, and whether you are already on board or travelling,” the email to crew members said, according to the Cruise Center.
Elsewhere, expeditions cruise ship operator Swan Hellenic announced that crew vaccination will be compulsory for those due to work on board its three small newbuilding cruise ships.
Swan Hellenic said that the vaccinations will be carried out at the recruitment centres in the crew member’s country of origin
This requirement was implemented to protect the staff and guests on the three new Ice Class ships, and is part of the health and safety measures designed to ensure a safe environment on board, the company said.
Swan Hellenic CEO, Andrea Zito, said: “We are totally committed to the health and peace of mind of our guests and crews, ensuring they can relax and focus entirely on the life-enriching opportunities we offer to see what others don’t.”
All crew will be trained to implement protocols specified by industry standards and required by the health authorities at the time of sailing, including routine pre-boarding and on board testing, sanitising of public areas, staterooms, and crew and staff facilities.
