The Bahamas has just updated its entry policies for tourists, so if you plan to take a cruise from the Bahamas, this information could be important to you.
If you plan to take a cruise to the Bahamas, the health regulations do not apply to you, so we’ve looked up which cruises you can take to the Bahamas this December. You will need to comply with the regulations from the various cruise lines.
The Bahamas has always been a favorite vacation spot for many. With the current pandemic, travel has become much harder; the Bahamas is trying to make its entry protocols a little easier to handle.
The mandatory Vacation-in-Place requirement is replaced by mandatory COVID-19 health insurance, monitoring procedures, and on-island rapid testing for those staying longer than five days.
New Requirements will start November 1
From November 1, 2020, the Bahamas require all travelers to comply with the new regulations. These are:
- Obtain a COVID-19 RT PCR test five (5) days before arrival.
- Apply for a Bahamas Health Travel Visa at travel.gov.bs
- For the duration of the visit, complete a daily online health questionnaire for symptom tracking purposes.
- Take a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test on Day 5 of the visit (unless departing on day 5).
- Always wear a mask and always social distance in public places.
Also, beginning November 14, 2020, all visitors will be required to opt-in to mandatory COVID-19 health insurance when applying for their Health Travel Visa. The insurance will cover travelers for the duration of their stay in The Bahamas.
If you are traveling to the Bahamas and have already applied through the old protocols, these are valid until November 6.
Those that have complied with these regulations can move about freely in the Bahamas without restriction. Of course, this does depend on any health restrictions that come in to play locally. So if you are planning on a cruise from the Bahamas, you must comply with these regulations.
Can I cruise to the Bahamas?
If you plan to take a cruise that goes to the Bahamas, you don’t have to comply with the Bahamas regulations, but you will need to comply with the cruise lines regulations. Several cruise lines are doing cruises to the Bahamas in December:
- Disney cruise line has a 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral onboard Disney Dream on December 28. The itinerary will include Nassau and Disney’s Castaway Cay.
- MSC Cruises is planning several cruises to the Bahamas. MSC Meraviglia will do a 14 day Caribbean Cruise that leaves Miami and includes stops in Nassau, MSC’s Ocean Cay, Puerto Rico, and Charlotte Amalie. This cruise will leave Miami on December 5. Other cruises that go to the Bahamas include cruises on the MSC Seaside (4 and 10 nights)
- Royal Caribbean is going all out with cruises to the Bahamas in December. With ships leaving from Miami, Port Canaveral, New Orleans, and Baltimore on 3, 4, 7, and 8-day voyages. For example, leaving Port Canaveral, the Mariner of the Seas will make a 4-day voyage to Nassau, a Perfect Day At CocoCay, and a relaxing day at sea.
- Carnival Cruise Line has cruises to the Bahamas scheduled in January onboard the Carnival Conquest, Ecstasy, Liberty, Elation, and Sunshine.
It might be a difficult time for all of us; at least it’s looking like travel is back on the agenda. The lifting of the No-Sail-Order for cruises from the U.S. has indeed lifted our spirits and renewed our hope for a return to cruising soon.
Photo Credit: GagliardiPhotography / Shutterstock.com
