Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings released an updated list of approved vaccines for crew, as the company prepares to restart cruise operations with three NCL ships this summer. NCLH shared important information with the shipboard team members about the broadened scope of accepted vaccine brands, specifically for vessels that will be operating outside the United States including Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Gem.

In addition to the previous list of approved vaccines (Pfizer BioNTech / Comirnaty, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson / Janssen, AstraZeneca / Covishield / Oxford) the updated list now includes the following brands: Sinovac, Sinopharm, Sputnik, Covaxin / Bharat Biotech. For now the updated list is only for NCLH ships sailing outside the United States.

“Our company continues to work with expert advisors as the health and safety of our officers and crew remains our top priority. Many of you have shared information about the governmental requirements for COVID-19 vaccines in your home countries, including the specific brands available at this time. After careful evaluation, we’re confident that the accepted vaccination brands represent the majority of what many of our crew have access to at this time.” reads the letter sent to the NCLH crew.

NCLH announced that during the initial restart period, crew members who are not able to receive an approved vaccine in their home country will receive the vaccine on board, at no cost. The first ships to begin the vaccination process for crew will be Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Joy, as they are the first vessels to resume cruise operations. The company will continue the vaccination process on additional ships as they gradually return to service.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings encourages its shipboard employees who have the opportunity to vaccinate with an approved brand in their home countries to do so as soon as possible.