The Bahamas government has decided to close its border to U.S. travelers which impacts cruises due to the sharp increase in COVID-10 infections.
U.S. Cruisers No Longer Able to Travel to the Bahamas
With a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections across the United States and the Bahamas, Prime Minister, The Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis has decided to close its border to U.S. citizens. The decision impacts international commercial flights and passenger vessels from the Unites States including cruises.
The new order goes into effect on Wednesday, July 22 at midnight and those travelers from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union are exempt from the emergency order. However, there are new health measures in place to protect the Bahas such as the need for a confirmed negative COVID-19 test no more than 10 days before the date of travel.
Minnis made the announcement via a televised address to his nation which you can watch below:
With most cruise lines already suspending cruise operations to October and beyond the impact on sailings will be limited depending on how long the ban on U.S. travelers will be.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line which is based out of West Palm Beach, Florida, and offers short cruises to the Bahamas had originally planned on resuming cruises in July. Cruises have now been cancelled until October 1. It is important to know that this is very fluid and official return dates can change so always check officially from the cruise line.
The island nation first re-opened its borders on July 1 but unfortunately the Bahamas as suffered from deteriorating conditions related to the pandemic. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is working with cruise lines on implementing new health measures to keep guests and crew safe but until the Bahamas allows U.S. citizens to enter the country cruises there could suffer.
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