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Page updated on 3rd August, 2022
Pre-Departure Requirements
Before we can embark on our cruise together, there is essential paperwork to be completed and presented at the port such as an approved COVID-19 vaccine certificate recognised by the Greek government for anyone travelling over the age of 12.
Current requirements for joining your cruise in Greece
We have put together a simple guide to help you understand what is required for you to embark your cruise from Greece hassle free. Please read the below information carefully and note that the requirements to join a cruise ship differ from that of the Greek government entry requirements. If you have any questions arising from this document please contact our customer service team. Failure to comply with the below requirements or exhibiting or caring for someone exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to embarkation will result in you being denied boarding.
If you are joining the cruise in Cyprus or Turkey, please note the requirements are different. Please contact our customer service team for this information.
In order to protect all those onboard, all our crew members will have received their Covid-19 booster vaccinations ahead of sailing.
Travelling into Greece
If you are travelling into Greece you will need to check if you are required to complete a PLF (Passenger Locator Form). Visit Protocol for Arrivals in Greece to check entry requirements in regards to travel from your place of origin. Requirements to enter the country may differ from the requirements to cruise.
Wearing a Mask
You are required to wear a mask in all indoor areas unless you are seated for meals or drinks. Masks are not required in outdoor spaces such as swimming pool areas or open decks, unless they are crowded.
Children, Over 60 or Underlying Medical Conditions
For children 6 to 11 years of age at time of embarkation, a negative Antigen rapid test certificate must be provided for a test taken within 24 hours prior to embarkation. Guests over 60 years of age and guests of any age with underlying medical conditions are strongly advised to visit a doctor for pre-travel medical consultation to assess if they are fit to travel.
Vaccination Mandate
Mandatory: Vaccination with a Greek government-approved COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 Recovery certificate for all guests from 12 years of age and above. If you are vaccinated for the first time with a single or double dose vaccine, a 14 day period must elapse from the latest dose before your cruise. This is not required for the booster dose, which is effective immediately. The validity of vaccination certificates is 9 months (270 days) after which a booster dose is required to maintain their validity. The validity of the recovery certificates is 6 months (180 days) after which a vaccination certificate is required.
IMPORTANT: Please click here to read the full vaccination requirements
Rapid Antigen Test
Effective from 29 April 2022, everyone traveling with us must arrive with their own COVID-19 Rapid Antigen negative test certificate. This will need to be taken within one day of embarkation for all guests aged 6 years and over. Please note self-tests will not be accepted. Celestyal Cruises has partnered with Bioiatriki which provides tests for just €10 per person at locations across Athens and Thessaloniki seven days a week. Please do not come to the port if you have a positive test result.
Going Ashore
We strongly recommend you join ship sanctioned shore excursions. However, you can choose to go ashore by yourselves but must ensure adherence to local health protocols at all times. Please note, You may be subject to random testing at visiting ports.
Passenger Locator Form for Cruise Ship
You will need to download and complete a Passenger Locator Form for cruise ships by clicking here. This form will be collected during the cruise by your stateroom attendant.
Travel Insurance
COVID-19 medical, cancellation and travel insurance is strongly recommended for both your cruise and entire trip, from the time you leave home until the time you return.
Step-by-Step guide to boarding our ships
Document Check
You will need to present your e-ticket, passport, visa (if applicable), Negative Rapid Antigen Test Certificate (no more than one day old), public health questionnaire downloadable here and your approved COVID-19 Vaccine certificate. The vaccine certificate is mandatory for anyone over the age of 12 years. Or a COVID-19 recovery certificate up to six months old.*
*Applicable to countries that issue official recovery certificates conforming with EU requirements.
Luggage Drop
Once you have successfully completed the document check you will then proceed to the luggage drop point where your luggage will be tagged with your stateroom or suite number and then handed over to our crew to sanitise your luggage before it is loaded onto the ship. Your luggage will be delivered to your stateroom or suite.
Rapid Antigen Test
Effective from 29 April 2022, everyone traveling with us must arrive with their own COVID-19 Rapid Antigen negative test certificate. This will need to be taken within one day of embarkation for all guests aged 6 years and over. Please note self-tests will not be accepted. Celestyal Cruises has partnered with Bioiatriki which provides tests for just €10 per person at locations across Athens and Thessaloniki seven days a week. Please do not come to the port if you have a positive test result.
Check-in
Once you have completed your Rapid Antigen Test and been advised of your negative result you are clear to proceed into the terminal and carry out your check-in with our embarkation team. Here you will present your passport, this will be exchanged with your boarding pass which must stay with you throughout the cruise. Your boarding pass acts as your passport when visiting ports, your access to the ships, your room key and also your on board charge card for purchases. Your passport is kept by the ships team to clear immigration at every port and returned to you the night before the end of your cruise. You will be asked to register a bank or credit card against your stateroom or suite to allow purchases of any extras on board. Please note: cash is not taking on board in any of our bars, restaurants or shops. Instead it is charged to your account and settled at the end of your cruise.
Security
Once you have completed your check-in you will proceed to security. Just like the airports you are required to put all your belongings you are carrying as hand luggage into a tray and pass them through the scanners. You will have to pass through the walk through metal scanners. If you have a medical condition which exempts you from passing through the scanners please advise the port security at the time and have any supporting medical certificates necessary to present.
Embark the ship
It is just a short walk or shuttle bus to the ships gangway. You will be asked to sanitise your hands at one of the hand sanitising stations before entering the ship. When entering the ship our security will scan your boarding card to register you are on the ship. Please note your boarding pass will be scanned every time you embark or disembark the ship. Please do not attempt to do either without your boarding pass as you will be denied entry or exit.
Lifeboat/Muster Drill on Day 1
Under Maritime law you are required to participate in a muster / lifeboat drill. Due to social distance restrictions this has been changed. You are required to go to your stateroom or suite and watch the safety video on your stateroom TV. This is typically on channel 1. Once you have completed the watching the video, please check you have the required life jackets in the wardrobe. If you do not, please contact reception immediately. The final step to completing your safety briefing is proceed to your designated muster station. This is written on the back of your boarding card and also on the back of your stateroom / suite door. You must proceed to your muster station within two hours of being on board and scan your boarding pass at the muster station scanner. This is mandatory and checks will be done to ensure compliance.