Ponant Removes PCR / Antigen Test Requirements for Most Destinations (as of September 9, 2022)

[AussieBoyTX]

Effective today, Ponant has removed PCR / Antigen test requirements for destinations other than Chile, Greece, Australia & Argentina.

 

 

https://fr.calameo.com/read/000132423668d4bed7572

[Host Jazzbeau]

I'm not sure if this is a further relaxation of the policy, or just a fuller explanation – but it seems that Ponant has really relaxed their Covid rules for vaccinated passengers:

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/28247-ponant-updates-covid-19-protocols.html

 

[mauibabes]

We board in about a week and we have been advised Ponant, not Tauck, will require all guests to be tested by Tauck before boarding and be Negative in order to be allowed to board Le Bellot.   All of our party have been vaccinated and boostered so we meet those requirements, if still applicable. 
Any word from Tauck that Ponant has dropped that boarding testing requirement?

 

Mauibabes

[AussieBoyTX]

8 minutes ago, mauibabes said:

Any word from Tauck that Ponant has dropped that boarding testing requirement?

 

Mauibabes

 

You'll need to consult with Tauck. Ponant has definitely removed the testing requirement for cruises in US & Canada: https://fr.calameo.com/read/000132423668d4bed7572

[jpalbny]

I've seen on other boards that CANADA still requires onboarding cruise pax to be tested. So I suspect that's why.

 

Here is a link to the requirements: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/cruise

 

The section on pre-embarkation testing is about halfway down the page.

[AussieBoyTX]

45 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

I've seen on other boards that CANADA still requires onboarding cruise pax to be tested. So I suspect that's why.

 

Here is a link to the requirements: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/cruise

 

The section on pre-embarkation testing is about halfway down the page.

 

Ponant's details by destination updated September 22, 2022 is consistent with this. 🤦‍♂️

 

https://fr.calameo.com/read/000132423668d4bed7572

 

[jpalbny]

1 hour ago, AussieBoyTX said:

Ponant's details by destination updated September 22, 2022 is consistent with this. 🤦‍♂️

 

Facepalm not required. The regulations are so complicated, and they chage frequently.

 

If I had not just spoken with two different friends who boarded cruises in Canada last week, I would not have known this.

 

Thankful to have access to all sorts of helpful information from our CC community. 

[AussieBoyTX]

Canada has updated their rules effective October 1 -- take this for what you will:

 

 

OTTAWA -  

The federal government has announced it is dropping all COVID-19 border restrictions for anyone entering Canada, including: proof of COVID-19 vaccination, quarantine and isolation requirements as well as all pre- or on-arrival COVID-19 testing.

 

Canada is also making the ArriveCan application optional, and is lifting the mask mandate and health check requirements for travellers on planes and trains.

Declaring the imminent end of these restrictions—effective Oct. 1— marks a major milestone in Canada's pandemic response.

 

...
 

Cruise ship measures are also being lifted, though passenger and crew protection guidelines will remain to "align with the approach used in the United States."

 

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canada-dropping-travel-mask-mandate-and-ending-covid-19-border-and-quarantine-restrictions-1.6084119

[AussieBoyTX]

On 9/25/2022 at 8:02 AM, jpalbny said:

I've seen on other boards that CANADA still requires onboarding cruise pax to be tested. So I suspect that's why.

 

Here is a link to the requirements: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/cruise

 

The section on pre-embarkation testing is about halfway down the page.

 

That page has also been updated today with Canada's latest requirements effective October 1:

 

[MELso]

It seems that Greece has (at long last) dropped the requirement for a RAT or PCR before embarking...

 

(EDIT - change took effect on 24 September it seems, and is reflected in the Ponant COVID booklet)

Edited September 27, 2022 by MELso
Updated information

[AussieBoyTX]

Greece is also apparently off the list as of this week.

[65Mommy]

On 9/12/2022 at 4:05 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

I'm not sure if this is a further relaxation of the policy, or just a fuller explanation – but it seems that Ponant has really relaxed their Covid rules for vaccinated passengers:

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/28247-ponant-updates-covid-19-protocols.html

 

It seems that the whole world has removed the requirement except Asian destinations.

[AussieBoyTX]

The current COVID-19 requirements for Antarctica cruises leaving Argentina are either a PCR less than 96 hours before departure, or a rapid antigen test less than 24 hours before departure.