When Virgin Voyages’s first cruise ship debuts in July, all crew and passengers will be required to have a coronavirus vaccine prior to boarding, the company’s CEO said.
British billionaire Richard Branson’s adult-only cruise line was slated to launch in April 2020, but it was stalled due to the coronavirus, which spread on several ships that were forced to quarantine offshore for weeks at the onset of the pandemic.
The emerging cruise line will take additional steps to minimize any spread of the virus on its ships by only allowing vaccinated crew members and traveling passengers to board.
“We’re really encouraged by the latest rollout plans in the May time frame from the new administration, and we know the future is about vaccinations,” Tom McAlpin, Virgin Voyages’s president and CEO, said in a statement to Cruise Critic.
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Virgin Voyages is among the first to commit to all sailings consisting of fully vaccinated people.
“Our goal is to ensure that we’re providing the safest travel experience, which means vaccinations for both our crew and passengers. This is a step toward the safe return to sailing and is the right decision for Virgin Voyages,” McAlpin said.
Royal Caribbean announced on March 1 that it would offer its own “fully vaccinated” cruise, aboard Odyssey of the Seas, departing from Israel. The company has not said whether it will require vaccinations on its other ships.
On Feb. 25, Royal Caribbean’s stocks rose 43% after the company received increased bookings from travelers expecting the dissipation of the pandemic in the near future.
Royal Caribbean told the Washington Examiner the company is committed to collaborating with medical professionals and government authorities to keep guests and crew safe.
“The new COVID-19 vaccines present a new opportunity to do just that and are a way to build protection for everyone involved. We continue to look into all options available to us for the destinations we visit,” a company spokesperson said.
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The Washington Examiner reached out to Virgin Voyages but did not receive a response.
