Windstar Cruises will end its COVID-19 vaccine requirement effective 1 June 2023, no longer requiring guests to be vaccinated against the virus in order to sail with the small ship cruise line.
“We’ve invested in and improved our health and safety processes, including upgrading the HVAC systems on all of our ships, which has led to a cleaner and safer environment on board,” said Christopher Prelog, President of Windstar Cruises.
“When combined with the widespread availability of vaccines and medical treatments, the risk factors are considerably lower now, giving us the confidence to lift the requirement.
“We’ve learned much over the past few years and will continue to follow the policies of each country we visit, as well as evaluate and use public health tools at our disposal to continue to safely sail and travel the world,” he said.
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Windstar will continue to carry diagnostic tests on board for guests and remains committed to onboard cleanliness and sanitation measures, including accessible and well-stocked handwashing stations plus sanitiser dispensers. Though no longer required, Windstar recommends guests remain up to date with vaccinations.
Prompted by the pandemic, the line invested millions in upgrading the entire six ship fleet’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to incorporate high-tech air filtration with HEPA filters and UV-C irradiation. The hospital-grade UV-C lights are proven to kill germs and microbes like mold, bacteria, and fungi, creating cleaner air on board and combating the spread of illness.
Windstar highlighted that its crew will still be required to be vaccinated and will be tested upon their first arrival to work, during their first week, and as needed moving forward.