Norwegian Cruise Line has brought back mandatory COVID-19 testing for all guests who have travelled from or through mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau within 10 days prior to embarkation.
“As a result of growing concerns regarding COVID-19 in China, and recently implemented travel restrictions by countries including the United States, we are proactively implementing preventative health and safety measures beginning January 5 for all sailings embarking January 5-January 31, 2023,” a statement from NCL reads.
Cruisers must show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to travel, obtained from wherever they were staying immediately prior to the cruise.
Guests must also take supervised PCR tests at the embarkation point eight hours before the cruise, and test on board every 48 hours thereafter until 10 days have passed since their time in China, Hong Kong, or Macau.
They must also be fully vaccinated and have received their booster of a World Health Organization-approved vaccine.
Expenses related to all required COVID-19 tests will be the guest's responsibility. Testing on board ships is currently offered at US$99 (R1 700) per person per test.
