Jkellen

20 hours ago, cccole said:

Everyone raves about Volunteer Point but we chose another tour.  Kidney Cove Tours.  It was amazing.  Only 4 of us, 4 different species of penguins, all on a private "farm".  Just amazing. www.kidneycovetours.com.  Would do this tour over the other in a nano second.  It was only 45 minutes before we entered the property.  Happy to send photos.  Cherie

Cherie, thank you for the information! We are now booked with Adrian at Kidney Cove. Also I would love to see your photos! jcckellen@gmail.com

Hi there.  We will be on the Sapphire Princess in February for a South American cruise. We are late booking excursions apparently because many of the penguin centered excursions in the Falklands are sold out. Has anyone done this cruise and used a "non cruise" company while in the Falklands?  Any you could recommend?

2 hours ago, terrydtx said:

That is from the March 14 update, The following is from the March 25th update specifically for Europe cruises: ttps://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/worry-free-promise/travel-well/frequently-asked-questions/faq-for-cruises-from-europe.html

 

Updated March 25, 2022

Until further notice, these are the requirements for our cruise guests on European sailings: 
 
Vaccines:  For these cruises the definition of “fully vaccinated” is at least 14 days and no more than 180 days (6 months) since the last dose in the vaccine series of an approved COVID-19 vaccine for guests ages 5 years of age and older.  A booster dose is required for guests whose final dose of an approved/authorized COVID-19 vaccine is older than 6 months (180 days) to be considered “fully vaccinated”.  

Testing:  Guests may be required to produce a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel. Please check with your airline and the arrival country’s requirements in advance of travel. Holland America Line does not require testing for travel to/from/within Europe above and beyond any governmental requirements, but we strongly encourage all guests take a viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) prior to leaving home to avoid travel disruptions associated with a possible positive test result on the day of embarkation. 
 
Masks:  All guests are required to wear masks always covering their nose and mouth when indoors and outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained, as well as during embarkation, disembarkation and when on transportation. Exceptions are made while guests are eating or drinking or when in their own stateroom.

I agree this is so frustrating! I just booked an NCL cruise on Sunday.  The cruise leaves In May out of Copenhagen.  All the countries we are visiting have done away with their covid restrictions, including masks. At the time of booking I was told there was no mask mandate, and then two days later new policy showed up on their site.  The booster requirement is also frustrating, as the countries we are visiting are no longer requiring and NCL is not requiring in US.  When I contacted NCL just now if they could point me to the actual European policy they could not.  It's as if they are getting stricter as Europe relaxes their policies.

4 hours ago, TheGinBoy said:

I'll certainly update everyone on the 17th. 

Yes!  Please do.  This is all so confusing! I'm boarding in Copenhagen in May and even though Denmark no longer requires I guess NCL still is.

33 minutes ago, bj24 said:

I was told today by two different HAL agents that although my cruise embarks in Copenhagen, Denmark, which requires no test to enter, Holland still requires me to get a test before boarding.  I mentioned their own website says no test required for boarding ships in Europe but they said it was still required. And none of the countries we visit on this cruise require testing to enter.  
 

It is beyond frustrating.  We are boarding in Copenhagen in May on NCL and they are requiring test prior to boarding even though Denmark and none of the other countries we are visiting are requiring. NCL says they will test us for 99 dollars at the pier. I'm also concerned with the information regarding boosters.  So much conflicting info out there.

2 hours ago, KeithJenner said:

Yes, one of the inconsistencies that I have seen is the claim that NCL changed things a couple of days ago. There has been reference to the booster requirement on their website, and included in emails I have received for some time before that.

Not to be difficult, but I booked NCL's Baltic cruise on the Getaway on Sunday.  The cruise leaves in May. I specifically asked the NCL employee what the requirements were for boosters and he said they have had no problems with European sailings and no one is asking for a booster so....  I can see the frustration for the OP. Right now all the countries we are going to for that cruise have stopped all Covid restrictions, but this person's story does make me nervous.  I did buy cancel for any reason insurance, but still.