Cruising To The Bahamas? You’ll Need Proof Of COVID Vaccination For Entry

Cruise passengers looking to sail to the Bahamas will need to show proof of COVID vaccination, starting on Sept. 3, according to a new emergency order that was issued by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis Thursday.

The order will not allow cruise ships to enter ports in the Bahamas if there are unvaccinated passengers onboard aged 12 and older without a medical exemption through Nov. 1.

To comply with the order, cruise ships will be required to provide a crew and passenger manifest that discloses the vaccination status of every person on board to the Port Medical Officer before arrival to the Bahamas.

The mandate also applies to private islands, including Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, the order said, as reported by USA Today.

However, the order does allow for emergencies and medical situations with unvaccinated passengers or crew, it said.

The order also provides for COVID testing of passengers that enter the Bahamas’ ports that have been mandated by the cruise line.

In a Facebook post, Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley said that “all of our ships sailings from Florida and from all USA ports and ports around the world require all eligible guests to be fully vaccinated. Only kids (under 12 from USA ports) who cannot yet be vaccinated can sail subject to testing and protocols. ”