Covid and Other Communicable Medical Issues

We are continuing to work hard to ensure that you can book and sail with confidence. Please find below a list of Q&A’s, advising on how we plan to continue running our smooth operations, safely and securely, for the protection of both our guests and our crew. You will find everything you need to know from arrivals, getting onboard, testing and our vaccination policies.

These policies will be continually reviewed in line with local government guidelines and were last updated in May 2024. Please be aware that our ships are required to meet regulations in the UK and in each country they visit on your cruise. Health regulations can change at short notice and we may be obliged to change requirements to react to changing situations.

We look forward to welcoming you onboard one of our ships soon, for what is sure to be the warmest welcome at sea.

Pre Cruise Queries 

Do I need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with Ambassador Cruise Line?

We are pleased to advise that Ambassador Cruise Line lifted all vaccination and testing requirements in June 2023, meaning that all guests regardless of vaccination status, are welcome to sail with us.

Although many of the COVID-19 restrictions have now been lifted, we are very conscious that the virus still affects many people. We recommend that Guests have two doses of a UK Government approved vaccination however, this is not mandatory for many of our cruises.

Requirements may differ for our longer duration cruises but we will communicate this to those booked on any applicable sailings in due course.

Does my Travel Insurance Policy have to include Covid cover?

It is a condition of booking that all guests hold fully comprehensive travel insurance that specifically covers cruise holidays, is valid for the entire duration of your chosen itinerary and the relevant countries guests will visit, provides full health coverage for all pre-existing conditions and the costs of medical repatriations, plus specific cover for COVID-19 related issues.  Guests travel insurance information should be added to their “My Ambassador Sailing Account” either before, or during the online check-in process.

Do I need to take a COVID-19 test before my journey to the ship?

Guests are not required to take a lateral flow test before travelling with us.  

Any guest who is unwell (including a high temperature, a new continuous cough, shortness of breath or a loss or change to taste or smell) and tests positive for Covid-19 within 72 hours prior to sailing, is asked to notify our Guest Services Team ahead of travelling to the port. We will notify the onboard medical team, who will carry out a short medical consultation during embarkation, to ensure the guest is considered ‘fit to travel by sea’ and to advise of any precautionary steps that must be adhered to once onboard.

Do you offer assistance with visa, passport and entry requirements?

Visa, testing and entry requirements can change at any time, and it is your own responsibility to ensure that you check with a professionally qualified source and comply with such requirements.

Around 14 days prior to sailing, you will receive an email confirming specific information relating to your chosen itinerary. This will confirm any important, destination specific requirements, so it is crucial that you have provided us with your email address at time of booking. 

The Travel Visa Company is Ambassador Cruise Line’s preferred visa, testing and entry provider. They can offer help and advice on specific requirements for Ambassador Cruise Line’s cruising itineraries as well as independent travel. For your convenience, The Travel Visa company’s online portal provides detailed visa, testing and entry information for Ambassador’s cruises, as well as online and downloadable applications. 

For more information please visit the Travel Visa Company website, call on 01270 904 907 or email enquiries@thetravelvisacompany.co.uk.

Please note that if you do not possess the correct documentation, you may be denied boarding, without refund of the cruise fare, subject to any fine or other costs incurred by Ambassador Cruise Line.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Covid Cancellation Policy 

Any guest who is unwell (including a high temperature, a new continuous cough, shortness of breath or a loss or change to taste or smell) and tests positive for Covid-19 within 72 hours prior to sailing, is asked to notify our Guest Services Team ahead of travelling to the port. We will notify the onboard medical team, who will carry out a short medical consultation during embarkation, to ensure the guest is considered ‘fit to travel by sea’ and to advise of any precautionary steps that must be adhered to once onboard.

If our medical team consider a guest to be ‘unfit to travel’ and refuse boarding, we will issue a ‘refused boarding on medical grounds’ letter. Guests should then contact their travel insurance provider for a refund of monies paid, in line with their policy cover.

Covid Cancellation Policy (if guests test positive during the sailing)

Guests experiencing symptoms of COVID whilst onboard, are asked to report to our Medical Centres for testing.

We do our utmost to care for anyone affected by COVID during their cruise and will ask that anyone testing positive, or who has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, isolates themselves in their cabin, until advised other wise by our medical team.

Once Onboard the Ship

Are there any social distancing or face mask measures are in place in public areas?

We remain committed to maintaining good hygiene practices and Guests are requested to keep up all the good hygiene habits we learned over the last few years. 

Mask wearing is not required, but is always welcomed in areas such as our Palladium Theatres. 

Hand sanitising stations are available throughout our ships and we encourage everyone to use them and wash their hands on a regular basis.

We have aimed to make our health and hygiene measures easy to follow and suitable to making sure that you can enjoy your holiday.  We are always monitoring developments with health and hygiene and have robust procedures ready in case we need to respond to particular concerns.

After Your Cruise

Are there any entry requirements for my return to the UK?

We are pleased to advise that currently, there are no requirements to complete any entry documentation or to undertake any COVID-19 testing when returning back in to the UK.