Norwegian Cruise Line reports that it has lifted its coronavirus restriction prohibiting guests holding passports from China, Macau or Hong Kong from boarding its ships, effective February 20. Singapore and the Philippines, however, are not currently allowing Chinese nationals to disembark at their ports; as a result, Chinese guests will not be allowed onboard Norwegian ships sailing voyages that disembark in either of those destinations. Those guests will be issued refunds, the cruise line said.
The cruise line has also undertaken a number of additional precautions regarding the coronavirus, including barring guests who have traveled from, visited or transited airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, within 30 days of embarkation. Guests who are denied boarding will be issued a refund when they provide proof of travel. Additionally, any crew members who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, within 30 days, will not be allowed to board.
Norwegian will also continue standard pre-boarding health reporting and evaluation. Any guests who appear symptomatic are subject to pre-boarding medical evaluations, including but not limited to temperature checks. Additionally, guests who exhibit symptoms of any respiratory illness while onboard will be subject to additional screening at the ship’s onboard Medical Center. The cruise line has also implemented additional cleaning and disinfection protocols on all voyages.
Finally, the cruise line said that it has made a number of itinerary changes and none of the line’s vessels are currently calling to ports in mainland China. All itineraries that call in mainland China for the next six months are currently under review.
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