HAL vaccination and testing changes again…

[Djb4CC]

For those following along, there have now been changes on the HAL website regarding the health protocols on Sept 1, Sept 6, Sept 8 and now Sept 9.  
 

if you have recently looked at the faq and the enhanced document pdf, there have been changes.

 

seems like the communications have been handled very poorly regarding all of this.  They wanted to jump the gun without thinking through the issues for their customers.  Really would hate to be a PCC or TA this last week or so.

[mightycruisequeen]

Now if they could just fix the online check-in debacle, that'd be so great! 

Edited September 9, 2022 by mightycruisequeen

[0106]

Here’s the link to the updated pdf

https://www.hollandamerica.com/content/dam/hal/inventory-assets/Health_Sanitation/2022/enhanced-health-protocol-090922.pdf

[Greysandy]

Has anyone found out what HAL defines as "fully vaccinated?" I had the first two Pfizer, and then a Moderna booster, but didn't really want to get the 4th or now 5th shots that are available.

 

Thanks, Sandy

[Susanmaz]

Interesting that DH tested positive this morning, which falls in the 8-90 day preembarkation timeframe listed by HAL. We can show a photo of a negative result using a home test. What does that mean? Just that it makes my life more difficult since he isa Luddite and doesn’t use a phone.

[AryMay]

1 hour ago, Djb4CC said:

For those following along, there have now been changes on the HAL website regarding the health protocols on Sept 1, Sept 6, Sept 8 and now Sept 9.  
 

if you have recently looked at the faq and the enhanced document pdf, there have been changes.

 

seems like the communications have been handled very poorly regarding all of this.  They wanted to jump the gun without thinking through the issues for their customers.  Really would hate to be a PCC or TA this last week or so.

 

I started a different thread after trying to find the protocols for full transit Panama Canal cruises. I think these cruises should be part of the enhanced protocols (as they are calling them) but other than a slight mention in a press release from August 15th I can't find anything on the website. 

 

I thought this oversight would be corrected on this newest update but I don't see it if it is.

[Coquitlam Cruiser]

3 minutes ago, AryMay said:

 

I started a different thread after trying to find the protocols for full transit Panama Canal cruises. I think these cruises should be part of the enhanced protocols (as they are calling them) but other than a slight mention in a press release from August 15th I can't find anything on the website. 

 

I thought this oversight would be corrected on this newest update but I don't see it if it is.

The  Nieuw Amsterdam departing San Diego Oct 8 shows Enhanced Protocol applies.

 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Australia changed their COVID testing requirements yesterday - 8 Sept

 

No more testing required - Hoping HAL will update their protocols soon

Entering and leaving Australia (homeaffairs.gov.au)

 

International travel and COVID-19 | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

 

Edited September 9, 2022 by The-Inside-Cabin

[DeeniEncinitas]

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

that is good news👍👍.

Looking into a cruise there next year!!!!

Now I hope for Panama Canal cruises they will also do no more testing👍
Appreciated your in depth blog on your last cruise. So enjoyed it and the food porn!

Denise😊

[pugmother]

I am confused. Wouldn’t Panama Canal cruises be listed under “Enhanced Protocols”?

[rafinmd]

15 minutes ago, pugmother said:

I am confused. Wouldn’t Panama Canal cruises be listed under “Enhanced Protocols”?

I THINK full transits are Enhanced and Caribbean-Gatun-Caribbean  trips are regular.   I don't understand why but that appears to be the case.  It looks like the list only goes up to EARLY January, and I wouldn't be surprised if there are further changes to the protocols.

 

Roy

[retird]

4 hours ago, Greysandy said:

Has anyone found out what HAL defines as "fully vaccinated?" I had the first two Pfizer, and then a Moderna booster, but didn't really want to get the 4th or now 5th shots that are available.

 

Thanks, Sandy

From their website:

 

Fully vaccinated means that a guest received all the doses in an authorized or approved primary COVID-19 vaccine series at least 14 days prior to embarkation.

 

by this definition you are fully vacvinated

Edited September 10, 2022 by retird

[pugmother]

20 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

I THINK full transits are Enhanced and Caribbean-Gatun-Caribbean  trips are regular.   I don't understand why but that appears to be the case.  It looks like the list only goes up to EARLY January, and I wouldn't be surprised if there are further changes to the protocols.

 

Roy

I am on a 18 day PARTIAL transit December 10. As of now because of the length I will still have to test. Hopefully things will change once again.

[likeadisguise]

5 hours ago, Greysandy said:

Has anyone found out what HAL defines as "fully vaccinated?" I had the first two Pfizer, and then a Moderna booster, but didn't really want to get the 4th or now 5th shots that are available.

 

Thanks, Sandy

"Fully vaccinated" means you've completed your primary series of COVID vaccinations (two shots Moderna or Pfizer, one shot J&J) at least 14 days before cruise embarkation.

 

"Up-to-date" means you're fully vaccinated AND, if eligible for a booster, have received at least one booster dose. This is required for what they're calling the "Enhanced Voyages"

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

8 hours ago, 0106 said:

Here’s the link to the updated pdf

https://www.hollandamerica.com/content/dam/hal/inventory-assets/Health_Sanitation/2022/enhanced-health-protocol-090922.pdf

Thanks for sharing. 

[fatcat04]

Thank you to HAL for putting this together and to you for posting it OP. This is helpful. Now we know our 4 year old does not need to be tested. Canada didn't require it even on cruise ships so that previous requirement puzzled us. 

[Nang]

On 9/10/2022 at 11:03 AM, pugmother said:

I am on a 18 day PARTIAL transit December 10. As of now because of the length I will still have to test. Hopefully things will change once again.

Are you sure that you need to be tested? There is no mention of cruise length in the current testing guidelines and there are no cruises departing on 10 December listed in the enhanced protocols.

[pugmother]

Maybe they changed the rules. I thought that cruises longer than 16 days required you to test. You are correct. Now that I read the current rules it does not mention anything about cruise duration rules.

[LadyBerard]

On 9/9/2022 at 10:55 PM, likeadisguise said:

"Fully vaccinated" means you've completed your primary series of COVID vaccinations (two shots Moderna or Pfizer, one shot J&J) at least 14 days before cruise embarkation.

 

"Up-to-date" means you're fully vaccinated AND, if eligible for a booster, have received at least one booster dose. This is required for what they're calling the "Enhanced Voyages"

Although cruising on Royal Caribbean for NE/Canada cruise in two weeks, why does Holland state that you must have received a booster if initial shots more than 5 months old for Canada?  I have read Canada's covid protocols, and do not see where they state that.

[habenicd]

3 hours ago, LadyBerard said:

Although cruising on Royal Caribbean for NE/Canada cruise in two weeks, why does Holland state that you must have received a booster if initial shots more than 5 months old for Canada?  I have read Canada's covid protocols, and do not see where they state that.

I would be interested in this answer as my brother and sister-in-law are on HAL Oct 5 to NE/Canada and have been told they have to have a booster (3rd shot for them overall) to go.

[indybelle]

It's confusing.  We are on the Oosterdam Oct. 10-Nov. 5.  The leg Oct. 10-22 is not on the Enhanced Protocol list.  The next two legs from Trieste to Barcelona (and the TransAt) do.  Instructions state that if any part of your voyage is listed in the Enhanced Protocols, you fall under them.  Hence, even though our Oct. 10 voyage is not listed, we apparently are required to present a test prior to boarding on the 10th.  What I don't understand is none of the countries we visit require any covid vaccines or tests to enter, even Greece (gr.usembassy.gov).  So I'm still trying to figure out why the testing.  I'm not against it, but I just can't make sense of the why, and of course it could change.  Anyone have an answer?

[HeyJude408]

18 hours ago, habenicd said:

I would be interested in this answer as my brother and sister-in-law are on HAL Oct 5 to NE/Canada and have been told they have to have a booster (3rd shot for them overall) to go.

When I saw the Enhanced Protocol document on HAL's website, I too was worried.  We embark on 9/18/22 for Alaska from Seattle and I interpreted the same as you - needing a booster if the last was taken over 5 months ago!

[cruisemom42]

19 hours ago, indybelle said:

What I don't understand is none of the countries we visit require any covid vaccines or tests to enter, even Greece (gr.usembassy.gov).  So I'm still trying to figure out why the testing.  I'm not against it, but I just can't make sense of the why, and of course it could change.  Anyone have an answer?

 

Country requirements for entry can differ for cruise ships versus for other types of entry (just look at Canada, for example.)  Same is true here. Greece is apparently requiring all cruise passengers who will be visiting a port in Greece (regardless of embarkation point or length of cruise) to present a positive test result (from a monitored test) prior to boarding. 

 

The cruise lines vary slightly in how they are presenting this info, but so far I am seeing that Princess and Celebrity also have the same requirement in addition to HAL.  It is not an error on HAL's part.

[LocoLoco1]

There’s some inaccurate Info here and there about ‘The Rules’ for HAL’s various cruises around the World. You’ve been warned. 

[rodndonna]

On 9/9/2022 at 4:46 PM, Djb4CC said:

 

if you have recently looked at the faq and the enhanced document pdf, there have been changes.

 

seems like the communications have been handled very poorly regarding all of this

 

I really like the pdf, it seems to make it things pretty clear what rules apply based on what cruse you are on doesn't it?