Bahamas now requires all cruise ship passengers who are 12 years old or older be fully vaccinated

[Jadn13]

It has been reported by many cruise blogs

Cruise ships must have 100% of adults over the age of 12 fully vaccinated in order to call on Bahamian ports. In documents posted to Twitter by Eyewitness News, the Bahamas has banned cruise ships unless all passengers over the age of 12 are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

https://www.porthole.com/bahamas-bans-cruise-ships-without-100-vaccinated-passengers/

 

 

Edited August 19, 2021 by Jadn13

[caribill]

If this applies to the cruise companies private islands in the Bahamas it is bad news for several cruise lines, especially RCI and Disney. In many cases, their private islands were the only Bahamas port they stopped at.

[Jadn13]

USAToday has a story but I’m having issues sharing the link

 

The order – posted to the Bahamas Customs & Excise Department website – was signed by Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, takes effect Sept. 3 and is valid through Nov. 1.

The new rule is applicable to private islands such as Royal Caribbean's private island Perfect Day at CocoCay, according to the order.

 

 

 

 

[skynight]

I would think it applies to all Bahama Islands. There are locals that work on those islands that remain after the ship leaves.

This strengthens cruise lines full vaccination position from Florida ports. Vaccination requirements for travel is not a new idea with covid. They have existed for many decades for travel to certain destinations. Passengers, mostly air, have to show proof to board. 

[ontheweb]

4 hours ago, caribill said:

If this applies to the cruise companies private islands in the Bahamas it is bad news for several cruise lines, especially RCI and Disney. In many cases, their private islands were the only Bahamas port they stopped at.

Yes, the private islands are still part of the territory of the Bahamas so it would apply to them.

 

The fact that a cruise line owns them does not make them sovereign territory of the cruise line.

[eclue]

That is wonderful news...

[caribill]

Even Princess may not have 100% vaccinated passengers as exceptions are made for those with valid medical reasons not to be vaccinated as well as possible valid religious objections to the vaccine.

 

I am not sure how the US laws not allowing discrimination might apply if Princess does not allow these unvaccinated passengers to board since their being on board would prevent a ship from going to the Bahamas.

[Jadn13]

1 minute ago, caribill said:

Even Princess may not have 100% vaccinated passengers as exceptions are made for those with valid medical reasons not to be vaccinated as well as possible valid religious objections to the vaccine.

 

I am not sure how the US laws not allowing discrimination might apply if Princess does not allow these unvaccinated passengers to board since their being on board would prevent a ship from going to the Bahamas.

It seems it has to be 100% or they will need to port somewhere else.

Could lead to itinerary changes and cancellations.

 

[Roberto256]

6 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Yes, the private islands are still part of the territory of the Bahamas so it would apply to them.

 

The fact that a cruise line owns them does not make them sovereign territory of the cruise line.

 

But, there have been other concessions by the bahamas to cruise lines.

 

For instance, the merchants in Nassau complained that the ship took all there passengers and left in the late afternoon,

depriving the merchants of additional income.

 

Cruise lines said we leave, so we can open the casino.

 

Bahamian law now allow some ship's casinos to open in port.  Shops too.

 

The bahamas want the cruise ships to call at their private islands, so that the get the per-person arrival fee...

 

It would probably be possible to work out something with only shipboard personnel staffing a private island during a ship call...

 

 

[Host CJSKIDS]

Here is our article on the changes.  As Princess Cay is in the Bahamas, they will have to abide if the order is extended to when their ships sail.

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/6404/

[caribill]

And more info in this article

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/bahamas-vaccine-requirement-for-cruise-passengers?did=666720-20210820&utm

 

Note that children under 12 are exempt as are those 12 and over with medical reasons for not being able to get the vaccine.