Do I need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to sail?

For more information on our vaccine and testing policy, please visit our vaccine and testing policy page .

Will the voyage itinerary be altered if there are Covid-19 cases on board?

Our itineraries are never guaranteed and may be altered for various reasons. In the event of Covid-19 cases on board, depending on the level of transmission and perceived risk by local port and health authorities, we may not be permitted to visit certain destinations included in the itinerary. Guests will be kept up to date on board of any changes to the itinerary.

How will guests be advised of Covid-19 positive cases and level of transmission on board?

Where there is a potential risk of ongoing Covid-19 transmission, guests will be advised. Communication may include on board announcements and letters to guest accommodation.

Do guests need to be aware of, and comply with, Australian government entry requirements when returning from an international voyage?

Guests arriving in Australia on a voyage that has transited international ports are responsible for ensuring that they meet Australian government entry requirements. Failure to do so may result in denial of boarding, being issued a fine, deportation, or the ship being denied entry.

Do guests need to be aware of, and comply with, the government entry requirements of the countries included in their voyage itinerary?

Guests are responsible for ensuring they meet the entry requirements of the countries included in their itinerary, including any vaccination requirements. Details continue to be updated regularly and official websites and apps developed by government departments and agencies, and tourism ministries are the recommended resources. These include: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

If I am denied boarding at the terminal for failure to produce my proof of vaccine, will you reimburse my out-of-pocket expenses to that point and the cost of my travel home?

There will be a Cunard representative on-site at the terminal to support any guests who are denied boarding. However, if you are denied boarding for failure to produce proof of being fully vaccinated at time of embarkation (which means the final dose must have been received at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the voyage), any costs incurred will be at your own expense.

Will activities be cancelled if there is a Covid-19 outbreak?

Where an outbreak is considered to be moderate risk, some activities and services may be modified or suspended in order to mitigate that risk. This may include: Reduced capacity in dining venues and lounges, with extended hours to facilitate physical distancing Walk-up bar service suspended and only table service will be provided Modification or suspension of Children's Club procedures and activities Modification of entertainment, activities, and shows, which may include reduced capacity, suspension, venue changes, and shortening shows to increase frequency Reduced capacity in on board shops Reduced capacity in the gym, with masks required to be worn at all times and increased sanitising Closure of self-serve guest laundries. During a moderate level outbreak, where we are still permitted to call at a destination as determined by the local health and port authorities, some shore tours may need to be modified or cancelled. In the unlikely event there is an outbreak of Covid-19 on board which is considered to be higher risk, all non-essential services will be suspended.

COVID-19 acknowledgment for sailings from Australia

We have consulted with leading medical experts to create an extensive response plan for mitigating and managing Covid-19 cases on our ships, and have also made arrangements with local port, health, and transportation authorities to support our ships should it become necessary.

We have enhanced our shipboard medical capabilities with the necessary staffing, medications, supplies, oxygen, equipment, and procedures to triage and treat multiple Covid-19 cases across the full clinical spectrum, including intensive care. Our highly experienced doctors and nurses are up to date on the latest Covid-19 scientific status and trained on all relevant Covid-19 procedures.

In addition to our on board Medical Centres, our shoreside Health Operations Centre is staffed 24/7 by our team of dedicated medical and public health professionals.

Other measures in place include, but are not limited to:

Covid-19 viral testing capabilities on board, including PCR.
Guests will have access to free of charge initial Covid-19 related medical consultation and ongoing testing in Australia.
Detailed quarantine and isolation management plan.
Required isolation for Covid-19 positive cases on board.
Detailed management plan for close contacts including required testing, mask wearing and in-room dining.
Enhanced cleaning and sanitising, including in guest rooms and public areas.
On board signage and regular communication to guests about Covid-safe practices.
Regular monitoring of disease activity and health regulations in the destinations we visit, so we can adjust our voyage itineraries as necessary.

Any guest reporting or exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms must notify and be reviewed by our on board medical staff for testing. Guests who test positive for Covid-19 will be assessed either in their room, or in a designated area of the Medical Centre.

Positive cases that do not require admission to the ship’s Medical Centre will most likely be asked to isolate in their own suite or stateroom for the duration of their isolation. Positive cases will be required to isolate on board for a minimum of five (5) days (or for the entire voyage if the voyage is less than 5 days). In order to leave isolation, the guest must produce a negative test result and show improved symptoms, both of which will be monitored by the on board medical team, who will advise the guest when they may leave isolation.

Our dedicated medical teams will also be on hand to take care of such guests, either for the duration of the required isolation period or until the scheduled port of disembarkation.

Close contacts of guests who test positive while on board are required by local government guidance protocols to follow these requirements for five (5) days on board (or for the entire voyage if the voyage is less than 5 days):

Perform daily rapid antigen testing. We will provide you with seven rapid antigen tests (RATs) and kindly ask that you test yourself daily and let us know the result.
You are required to wear your face mask at all times when outside your stateroom.
You are required to have your meals and drinks in your stateroom.

Any instances of positive cases on board will be managed by our on board medical teams in conjunction with the local authorities, to determine the best course of action. The framework of protocols for cruise ships can differ slightly to those on land and to other forms of travel. Some ports may require guests and their close contacts who test positive on board to disembark in port and continue their period of isolation ashore.

The on board isolation period is subject to change by the relevant state health departments.

Each ship has a dedicated team of medical staff operating the on board Medical Centre, to serve general health care needs for guests and crew. Our highly experienced doctors and nurses are up to date on the latest Covid-19 scientific status and trained in relevant Covid-19 procedures. We have also enhanced our shipboard medical capabilities in terms of staffing, medications, supplies, oxygen, equipment, and procedures to triage and treat multiple Covid-19 cases across the full clinical spectrum including intensive care.

You can contact the Medical Centre using the phone in your suite or stateroom to request non-urgent appointments. This avoids congregation of patients in the Medical Centre and allows the medical staff to pre-determine the best location for the consultation, including your accommodation.

Whenever possible, anyone suspected of having Covid-19 will be assessed and treated in their suite or stateroom, with all medical first responders wearing full PPE. Medical staff will arrange the safe transfer of any unwell individuals to the ship’s Medical Centre if additional treatment is required that cannot be provided in the guest’s accommodation. On board Covid-19-related Medical Centre initial Covid-19 related consultation and suspected case testing will be free of charge.

Subsequent medical consultations, non-Covid-19 related medical consultations, treatment, and medication will be charged at private rates, and must be paid for by the guest and should be claimed on their international travel insurance. All voyages on our ships are outside the scope of Australian Medicare, New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation, and private health insurance.

Guests will have access to free of charge initial Covid-19 related medical consultations and testing in Australia.

Subsequent medical consultations, non-Covid-19 related medical consultations, treatment, and medication will be charged at private rates, and must be paid for by the guest and should be claimed on their international travel insurance. All voyages on our ships are outside the scope of Australian Medicare, New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation, and private health insurance.

While our on board Medical Centres are equipped to handle many medical conditions, including Covid-19, there may be occasions where it becomes necessary to disembark or evacuate a guest to receive further medical treatment. To ensure guest safety, this decision will be made by the on board doctor and the captain in coordination with our shoreside medical experts and the relevant port and health authorities. Depending on the location of the ship and other operational factors, medical evacuation may need to take place via helicopter, medical water vessel, or road ambulance, or a combination of these.

Our Customer Care team will provide support to any guest who requires medical evacuation, along with their family and travel party.

Guests who are in isolation on board at the end of their voyage, due to testing positive for Covid-19, will be disembarked in a controlled manner, separate from other guests. We will also follow any necessary requirements of local authorities.

If a guest is unwell and requires ongoing medical care, we will assist in making the necessary arrangements to transfer them to a local hospital or medical facility, as required by the local authorities.

Please note, all accommodation, transport, and other expenses are the responsibility of the guest unless local authorities require otherwise. Also, private transport does not include taxis, rideshare, or public transport. Any remaining isolation period once off the ship is subject to relevant state health department’s isolation requirements.

We recommend guests seek advice from their medical practitioner about their condition and any possible risk associated with cruise travel. If you are travelling with a specific medical requirement, please let us know at the time of booking, as we may require you to complete a medical questionnaire prior to travel.

Unfortunately, we are unable to welcome guests on board who require supplementary oxygen (via tank or cylinder) or haemodialysis. Guests who use overnight CPAP for sleep apnoea, will be able to travel, however guests requiring oxygen via concentrator, mechanical ventilatory support or peritoneal dialysis, may only be accepted to travel with prior confirmation from our medical team.

If any of these medical requirements apply to you, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 0344 338 8641 (local call charges apply).

It is mandatory for all UK guests to take out comprehensive travel insurance for their holiday with us. While we hope you never have to use it, the policy will ensure you’re able to relax and enjoy your holiday with the peace of mind that you’re protected should you need it. When travelling with us, your insurance must include a combined medical and repatriation cover of £2 million minimum that includes cover for emergency evacuations and medical expenses related to Covid-19.

You must also ensure your policy includes cover for travel, cancellation and curtailment including in the event of you contracting Covid-19 as certified by a Medical Practitioner and possibly, if deemed medically necessary, have to leave the ship due to a medical emergency.

You will also need full cover for any and all pre-existing medical conditions worldwide, or as a minimum, in the countries you are due to visit.

Your travel insurance documents will be checked at the terminal and must cover the entire duration of your holiday. Unfortunately, you will be denied boarding, at your own expense, if you don’t have appropriate cover.

Cunard has partnered with Holiday Extras to offer appropriate, comprehensive travel insurance cover for our holidays.

To find out more, visit www.holidayextras.com/cunard or phone 0800 093 3070 and quote CUNHX

Any guest who tests positive for Covid-19, will need to comply with the relevant state health requirements set by the relevant state health departments. If there is a required isolation period and that has not been completed by the guest by the end of the voyage, it will need to be continued upon disembarking, which will delay any onward travel or accommodation arrangements.

We strongly recommend taking out appropriate international travel insurance which may cover changes to post cruise travel arrangements.

Any guest who fails to comply with the on board public health measures may be disembarked at the first available opportunity. Other consequences could include being denied service, required stateroom isolation, and being banned from sailing with Cunard and other Carnival brands in the future.

If you are non-compliant, no refund of the fare for missed cruise days or travel expenses (if flying home) will be covered.

If your travel party is impacted and/or they are required or voluntarily choose to disembark with you, the same policies will apply to them: no refund of fare for missed cruise days or coverage of travel expenses home.

If you test positive for Covid-19 within 7 days prior to departure, you will not be able to travel and you should notify us or your travel agent so that we can cancel your booking.

Where possible, guests should make a claim through their travel insurance to recover any cancellation fees incurred. Alternatively, guests can contact us or their travel agent. Valid proof of a positive Covid-19 test result, a medical certificate confirming a positive Covid-19 diagnosis, or proof of close contact status maybe requested by your insurers.

If you are a close contact (from the same household) of a Covid-19 positive person you must have valid proof of a negative Covid-19 test result and declare your close contact status at the terminal and will be referred to secondary screening where you’ll have to undergo a rapid PCR test and test negative to be able to board the ship.

As required by local health authorities, close contacts are required to follow these requirements for seven (7) days on board (or for the entire voyage if the voyage is less than 7 days):

Perform daily rapid antigen testing. We will provide you with seven rapid antigen tests (RATs) and kindly ask that you test yourself daily and let us know the result
You are required to wear your face mask at all times when outside your cabin
You are required to have your meals and drinks in your stateroom

Rest assured Cunard will take great care of you so you can relax and enjoy the holiday you deserve.

Guests travelling from overseas to join a voyage departing from Australia must ensure they are able to meet the Australian government entry requirements. Guests should also ensure that they understand any requirements to return to their home country following their voyage, including any testing requirements.

Guests from overseas should ensure the vaccination course they have received is approved or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

We strongly recommend guests obtain appropriate international travel insurance which may cover costs associated with changes to travel arrangements.

Guests travelling from overseas should also ensure that their travel insurance provides cover for Covid-19 related medical care. If ongoing medical treatment is required after disembarkation, any associated costs will be incurred by the guest.

We have a Covid-19 response management plan covering varying levels of risk determined by the number of positive Covid-19 cases, clusters, and close contacts.

Enhanced cleaning and sanitisation will be implemented in all areas, and handwashing or sanitiser use will be enforced at all food outlets and restaurants. Masks will also be encouraged to be worn at all times except when eating or drinking.

We may introduce additional Public Health measures during a voyage as part of our response management plan and where an outbreak is considered to be moderate risk, some services may be modified or suspended in order to mitigate that risk.

In the unlikely event there is a significant outbreak of Covid-19 on board which is considered to be higher risk, all non-essential services will be suspended, and guests who are not isolating will be asked to minimise their movements around the ship and remain in their stateroom as much as possible or utilise outdoor areas while maintaining physical distancing. Masks will also be required to be worn by guests at all times when outside their staterooms, except while consuming food & drinks.

The ship may still call at destinations for the provisioning of essential stores, subject to local health and port authority approvals, however shore visits will be suspended. In consultation with relevant health and port authorities, arrangements may be made to shorten the voyage and return to the closest suitable port to safely disembark all guests.

Guests will be kept informed on board of any Covid-19 outbreak and any changes to the situation and what this means, including any changes to on board health protocols. In addition, guests due to board the ship for the next voyage after a Covid-19 outbreak of moderate to higher risk has occurred, will be informed of this prior to boarding.

Where an outbreak is considered to be moderate risk, some activities and services may be modified or suspended in order to mitigate that risk. This may include:

Reduced capacity in dining venues and lounges, with extended hours to facilitate physical distancing
Walk-up bar service suspended and only table service will be provided
Modification or suspension of Children's Club procedures and activities
Modification of entertainment, activities, and shows, which may include reduced capacity, suspension, venue changes, and shortening shows to increase frequency
Reduced capacity in on board shops
Reduced capacity in the gym, with masks required to be worn at all times and increased sanitising
Closure of self-serve guest laundries.

During a moderate level outbreak, where we are still permitted to call at a destination as determined by the local health and port authorities, some shore tours may need to be modified or cancelled.

In the unlikely event there is an outbreak of Covid-19 on board which is considered to be higher risk, all non-essential services will be suspended.

Covid-19 acknowledgement for sailings in Australia