Caribbean Ports.

[Reina del Mar]

Just wondered if anyone has sailed to Caribbean ports with Princess and been allowed to ‘do their own thing’  in 2022.?

 

Princess website is showing it is not possible in some ports, but I appreciate the website is not always updated as quickly as it might be.

 

The ability for fully vaccinated guests to go ashore in ports of call is controlled by the governments of the ports we visit, based on their specific COVID-19 protocols and requirements. These are subject to change. All ports allow fully vaccinated guests to go ashore with Princess shore excursions. Some ports may also allow tours sold by port-authorized third-party operators or independent tours and exploration. Please be aware that in select ports you may be required to take a shore excursion provided by Princess to go ashore.

We recommend that you always carry your proof of vaccination and your negative COVID-19 test results from embarkation when going ashore. Currently, only Princess shore excursions are permitted in:

• Bridgetown, Barbados
• Gatun Lake, Panama
• Roseau, Dominica

Castries, St. Lucia

At this time, fully vaccinated guests can explore other destinations on their own or on independent third-party tours. This is subject to change at any time.

 

 

Any firsthand experience gratefully received.

 

Many thanks.

 

[dweidensaul]

We just came off of Enchanted's 8-18 Feb sailing in Caribbean and hit 3 of the listed ports (Bardados, St Lucia, and St Kitts).  We chickened out and took a ship excursion for St Lucia and St Kitts, but it turns out one could have easily contracted with a local tour operator on the pier and / or taken a taxi from the pier.  In Barbados, we just walked off the port to town / beach.  No issues.  

[hllwdcruiser]

9 minutes ago, dweidensaul said:

We just came off of Enchanted's 8-18 Feb sailing in Caribbean and hit 3 of the listed ports (Bardados, St Lucia, and St Kitts).  We chickened out and took a ship excursion for St Lucia and St Kitts, but it turns out one could have easily contracted with a local tour operator on the pier and / or taken a taxi from the pier.  In Barbados, we just walked off the port to town / beach.  No issues.  

Thanks so much for this - I asked on the Barbados forum about walking outside the gate and never received a response. This is good news!

[Reina del Mar]

49 minutes ago, dweidensaul said:

We just came off of Enchanted's 8-18 Feb sailing in Caribbean and hit 3 of the listed ports (Bardados, St Lucia, and St Kitts).  We chickened out and took a ship excursion for St Lucia and St Kitts, but it turns out one could have easily contracted with a local tour operator on the pier and / or taken a taxi from the pier.  In Barbados, we just walked off the port to town / beach.  No issues.  

Thanks for that information. We tend to amble around the port/local area or take a shuttle tour at the port area..hopefully we’ll be able to do this.

 

Once again, many thanks for the information. (Hope)

[crawford]

13 hours ago, Reina del Mar said:

Just wondered if anyone has sailed to Caribbean ports with Princess and been allowed to ‘do their own thing’  in 2022.?

 

Princess website is showing it is not possible in some ports, but I appreciate the website is not always updated as quickly as it might be.

 

The ability for fully vaccinated guests to go ashore in ports of call is controlled by the governments of the ports we visit, based on their specific COVID-19 protocols and requirements. These are subject to change. All ports allow fully vaccinated guests to go ashore with Princess shore excursions. Some ports may also allow tours sold by port-authorized third-party operators or independent tours and exploration. Please be aware that in select ports you may be required to take a shore excursion provided by Princess to go ashore.

We recommend that you always carry your proof of vaccination and your negative COVID-19 test results from embarkation when going ashore. Currently, only Princess shore excursions are permitted in:

• Bridgetown, Barbados
• Gatun Lake, Panama
• Roseau, Dominica

Castries, St. Lucia

At this time, fully vaccinated guests can explore other destinations on their own or on independent third-party tours. This is subject to change at any time.

 

 

Any firsthand experience gratefully received.

 

Many thanks.

 

Ocho Rios: They have a "bubble" within a couple of blocks within the port. We started to walk out of the port, until we were told by the police that we were at the edge. Only organized tours beyond that point.

Cozumel: Able to walk around with no issues. Could pick up a cab and do the "sites" without an organized tour.

Edited February 26, 2022 by crawford

[Reina del Mar]

Many thanks

[Reina del Mar]

On 2/26/2022 at 12:10 AM, crawford said:

Ocho Rios: They have a "bubble" within a couple of blocks within the port. We started to walk out of the port, until we were told by the police that we were at the edge. Only organized tours beyond that point.

Cozumel: Able to walk around with no issues. Could pick up a cab and do the "sites" without an organized tour.

 

Anyone have any further information about Caribbean ports or what constitutes a ‘government sponsored’ excursion, please ?

 

Many thanks.

[satxdiver]

We are on the Enchanted and were given the following information on shore excursions:

Independent tours allowed in St Thomas USVI, Bonaire and Curacao.

Princess and port authorized tours only in Dominica and Grenada.  Pax are allowed on shore only in the port area.

 

When we exited the ship and went through Bonaire immigration, we were required to show our vaccinations record.  This was the only port that required proof of vaccination.  Masks were required in all ports and on excursion vehicles. 

[Reina del Mar]

Thank you so much.

 

Do you mean passengers are allowed to wander around the port area where there are shops/stalls ?

 

Excellent information about needing to show vaccine information.

Was this paper/ screen shot or didn’t it matter ?

 

How do you find out which excursions are ‘port authorized’, or do you need to wait till ashore ?

 

Many thanks.

[CruisinFinsUp]

From what I've read on various island's government websites - the "authorized" excursions are those by providers who have demonstrated they will follow government covid safety protocols and have received "permission" to do so.  
 

Those providers will be available at the pier.    If you know of a larger tour provider on one of the islands with these restrictions, you can check their website to see if they advertise being "authorized".   
Check the port message boards here for ideas for those islands.   

[crawford]

7 hours ago, Reina del Mar said:

Thank you so much.

 

Do you mean passengers are allowed to wander around the port area where there are shops/stalls ?

 

Excellent information about needing to show vaccine information.

Was this paper/ screen shot or didn’t it matter ?

 

How do you find out which excursions are ‘port authorized’, or do you need to wait till ashore ?

 

Many thanks.

Interesting scenario concerning Cozumel. When we were leaving the immediate shopping area to go to Senor Frogs, we were asked at a gate to see our vaccination cards. I showed my paper card but when he saw my wife's Medallion, she was waived through.

[gardenbunny]

As with other Caribbean port topics with regard to what island allows what, it is still very fluid.

Just did Oceania 2/11-2/23 and we could get out independently in Aruba and Curacao.  In Bonaire we had to have a ship excursion or government approved.  However they did let us walk over to the stalls across from the pier if we showed our vaccine card.  St. Vincent we had to have a ship excursion or government authorized, and could only walk around in the terminal shops.   St. Lucia we docked at the old pier and we could not go anywhere unless excursion.  The old terminal had about 3 shops, took 5 minutes and we got back on ship. The Norweigian Epic was across at the nicer shopping area.

Antigua was open for any type excursion or just walk around town - but had a temperature check.  Phillipsburg St Maarten was open for any type excursion but we were there on Sunday so very little shops open.  But a nice walk around town and boardwalk.

Everywhere was mask required.