Celebrity Cruises will be eliminating embarkation quarantine of the new joining crew, effective at each ship’s next turnaround. The decision to ease the health protocols comes after Celebrity Cruises sister brand recently conducted a no-embarkation quarantine pilot with hundreds of crew. The data showed that given the effectiveness of vaccines and pre-arrival protocols, the elimination of embarkation quarantine does not present additional risk.

According to a letter sent to the crew, the new policy applies only to fully-vaccinated crew members with WHO-approved vaccines. Joining crew will continue to be tested upon boarding and will wait for test results in dedicated lounge. 

Standard isolation protocols will apply if the crew member tests positive. If crew member tests negative she/he will be assigned to crew cabin, will be allowed to perform the normal work duties, and returns to the crew cabin after work for a soft quarantine until day 3. On day 3 the crew member will be tested again and If the test is negative, they resume normal protocols onboard. 

On day 5 the crew member is tested for the third time, and if negative joins regular crew surveillance testing cadence. Eliminating the crew quarantine is a positive sign and a step forward in going back to life on board as it was before.