MIAMI, September 21, 2021 – Today Crystal announced that it will extend its vaccination requirement for all age-eligible guests (currently 12 and older) and all crew through 2022 for ocean ships Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony and the luxury expedition yacht Crystal Endeavor. All age-eligible guests (currently 12 and older) and all crew must be fully inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine (with both doses, if recommended by manufacturer) at least 14 days prior to their embarkation date.
Crystal has been proactive in its response to COVID-19 with protocols based on the latest data and recommendations by health experts. The company was the first major cruise line to require a COVID-19 vaccine for both guests and crew in 2021 and now the first through 2022.
“Protecting the health and safety of our guests and crew is paramount to everything we do and extending our vaccination requirements through 2022 is the next important step to continue to safeguard their health and wellness,” said Jack Anderson, president of Crystal. “Our guests have overwhelmingly told us that vaccinations are critical for them to feel comfortable traveling. Announcing this extension now will give them the information and reassurance they require as they look to plan future voyages with us.”
Guests will need to provide documented proof of vaccination at the time of check-in before boarding the ship. Children 11 and under who are not currently eligible for vaccination must be pre-approved after the initial waitlist and are subject to capacity control, and parents must provide proof of valid travel insurance. Guests traveling with unvaccinated children will be subject to unvaccinated protocols when with their children.
Once vaccines are approved for age-eligible children — as early as mid- to late autumn in the United States — Crystal will require that they be fully vaccinated. All officers and crew across the Crystal fleet are fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to service as a requirement of their employment.
Yesterday, Crystal River Cruises announced it will require 100% of its guests and crew members to be vaccinated through 2022 as well. The company will assess whether a booster shot for all guests and crew across the full fleet will be required once more information is available.
An extension of Crystal Clean+ measures
The vaccine requirement augments the company’s comprehensive Crystal Clean+ measures, including COVID-19 tests at embarkation for both guests and crew, temperature checks when returning from ashore, a nimble mask policy, social distancing guidelines, enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures and more.
Additionally, Crystal’s ocean, river and expedition ships feature 100% fresh, non-recirculated air in every single guest suite, stateroom and social space. Crew across Crystal’s fleet of ships are also currently wearing masks in all public areas to provide yet another layer of guest protection.
The Crystal experience affords each guest an abundance of personal space that is unrivaled in cruising. Crystal Serenityand Crystal Symphony are designed to offer nearly double the space per guest of similar-sized ships. Crystal Endeavor, at 100 gross tons and 10,000 cubic feet per guest and a guest space ratio of more than 100, has the largest space per guest of any ship at sea.
— from Cruiseable news services
