Norweigian Cruise Line Holdings which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, is the first cruise company to require its shipboard employees to receive a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Crew members of the company’s three brands received a letter informing them about the newly established NCLH policy for all booster eligible officers and crew. According to the updated policy the company plans to complete booster vaccination by the end of April 30, 2022.
The vaccination for COVID-19 boosters started today with the eligible crew of the cruise ship Norwegian Jewel, currently at drydock in Marseille, France. The crew will get Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine booster.
In the letter sent to crew and officers NCLH shared the information regarding the new COVID-19 booster policy effective December 15, 2021.
Crew members onboard that are eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot, and have the opportunity must receive the shot at the designated time arranged by the corporate office. Specific exemptions may be made on a case-by-case basis evaluated by Vessel Operations Senior Management.
Newly embarking crew joining should arrive with fully approved vaccination protocol, including a booster shot. NCLH strongly encourages all crew at home to obtain booster shot if available in their home country effective immediately. Crew members that are unable to obtain a booster shot at home will be allowed to embark provided that once available, they will obtain it onboard.
Booster eligible is defined as follows:
- Two shot vaccine protocol (i.e. Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, etc.) - Greater than 6 months past the final dose.
- One shot vaccine protocol (i.e. Johnson&Johnson) - Greater than 2 months in US, or 6 months in EU, past the final dose.
NCLH Authorized Boosters:
- BioNTech / Pfizer is FDA approved and Moderna is Emergency Use Authorized.
- At this time all vaccine types may receive any of the mRNA Boosters above.
The company stressed the importance of the booster shot protocol as part of the full vaccination process, and in certain anticipation of the regulations to require the booster as part of the "fully vaccinated" status.
Royal Caribbean Group also announced that the booster vaccines will be required and will eventually become part of the RCG policy. Booster shot is also available for crew members onboard MSC Cruises ships but for now they are not mandatory, said one crew member.
