Cruises Signed The First Port Agreements To Resume Operations In Hawaii

Cruises Signed The First Port Agreements To Resume Operations In Hawaii

Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Lines have signed the first port agreements to resume operations in Hawaii, announced the Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division Tuesday. 

According to a CDC order set to expire on Jan 15, cruise companies able to transport more than 250 passengers -including crew members-, and whose itineraries require overnight stays must execute a formal port agreement with local port and health authorities.

This must include, if necessary, passenger and crew evacuations, quarantine and isolation housing arrangements, and acceptance of local and state health restrictions to minimize the spread of the virus.

“We appreciate everyone, including the cruise line representatives, coming together to finalize the required agreements to fulfill the CDC Conditional Sailing Order,” Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Jade Butay said.

Each vessel must provide passengers with on-board testing and medical personnel to guarantee proper prevention and handling of any potential COVID-19 outbreaks.

cruise ship in hawaii

In addition to pre-boarding testing and onboard health protocols, both Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Lines have committed to “full vaccination rates.”

This may be the only change affecting passengers. Until now, these companies have been operating in other U.S. states with 95% vaccination rates and over. 

In addition, cruise lines docking in Hawaii from outside the state will be required to use the Safe Travels platform to upload a vaccine certificate or a negative COVID-19 test result.

“Developing these agreements with the goal of reducing potential negative impacts of cruise travel on our local health resources couldn’t have happened without invaluable guidance from the Governor’s Office, the (CDC), the (DOH), the (DOD), the (ETS), and county agencies,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Jade Butay. 

The signed port agreements will remain in effect until they are replaced by a new CDC order. 

The agreement also empowers Hawaii to suspend, revoke, or amend the contract at any time in case future pandemic developments force the government to introduce additional restrictions.