Two of the world’s largest cruise operators have canceled upcoming calls to Bermuda, citing coronavirus requirements and restrictions in force in the archipelago.
Celebrity Cruises has canceled visits to Bermuda in October and November. The Bermuda stop was scheduled for four vessels: Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Edge, and Celebrity Reflection. The liners were supposed to stop here on October 22, October 30-31, and November 4 and 10, respectively.
Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled flights to Bermuda scheduled for three ships: Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Escape, and Norwegian Gem. They were supposed to arrive in Bermuda on November 5, November 15, and December 20.
It is important to note that all of these seven stops were planned during long transatlantic cruises that start in Europe and end in North America.
Unlike most cruise destinations around the world, Bermuda still requires travelers on long-haul voyages to be tested for COVID-19 before entering port.
Therefore, all passengers who have been at sea for more than four days must provide a fresh negative test to go ashore. “Fresh” means no more than 48 hours before arrival in Bermuda.
In addition to testing, tourists are also required to complete an online application and pay a fee of $40 per person to the Government of Bermuda.
Many transatlantic travelers have expressed a strong reluctance to be tested mid-cruise and incur additional costs. Therefore, the operators have left Bermuda as a stopover point only on those routes where the islands are the first port of call, that is, additional testing is not required.
Vaccinated passengers and unvaccinated children under the age of 12 traveling with vaccinated parents on these short cruises to Bermuda must present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken before departure but are not required to take another mid-cruise test.
Unvaccinated passengers can take these shorter cruise ships to Bermuda but must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within two days of arrival on the island to disembark.
Other cruise ships are planning to visit Bermuda in the coming months as part of long transatlantic flights: Sirena – Oceania Cruises, Viking Sun – Viking, and Azamara Onward – Azamara.
Information about their plans regarding parking in Bermuda is not yet available.