SILVERSEA'S HEALTHY RETURN TO SAILING - NEW YORK VIA BERMUDA

At Silversea, our top priority has always been to safeguard the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit. Partnering with leading medical experts and governmental authorities from around the world, the Royal Caribbean Group formed the Healthy Sail Panel to ensure that our guests can travel in luxury with unwavering confidence. Silversea has introduced a comprehensive, multi-layered set of science-backed protocol, which, informed and approved by the Healthy Sail Panel, will help to safeguard guests.

Silversea will continue to work closely with relevant governing bodies and health authorities to evolve its health and safety procedures, as new health recommendations are issued and as the fluid situation advances.

The protocol includes several areas of focus.

All updates will be published on this page as soon as the situation evolves.

AREAS OF FOCUS

Updated on 18th October, 2022

Silversea vaccination status requirements

Guests are responsible for complying with local health and safety regulations – in the country of embarkation, in countries through which they transit on their return journeys, and in their country of origin upon their return home.

VACCINATION & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

All guests are kindly asked to ensure they comply with the country-specific entry requirements for the country from which their ship/cruise begins. For guidance from the CDC and their requirements, please click here.

The U.S. requires all guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least two weeks prior to arrival/entry into the country. For more information please click here.

If you are an international guest travelling to the U.S., you must complete an ESTA application that can be found here.

Please note that local requirements will include far more demanding and restrictive protocols if you are considered an unvaccinated individual; therefore, Silversea strongly recommends that all guests joining the vessels fully vaccinated or up-to-date.

IMPORTANT - Entry requirements into Bermuda

All travellers age 2 and older, or their legal guardians, must apply for a Bermuda Travel Authorization if your cruise stops in Bermuda. Even if you do not plan to go ashore in Bermuda, you must have the Authorization. You will be required to present an approved Authorization on the day you board your cruise.

The Bermuda Travel Authorization process includes uploading a vaccination record for guests in your travel party that are age 12 or older.

You may apply at the Government of Bermuda website, no more than 30 days before you set sail. You will not see your ship/sailing listed on the website before that time. We recommend guests apply for their Bermuda Travel Authorization as soon as it becomes available. The application cost is $40 per person. Your application will be stored until your cruise departure.

For more detailed information on Bermuda’s entry requirements on a cruise, please click here.

Certain Vaccines Not Accepted

Note that the local government does not recognize Novovax or Covaxin as approved vaccines. If you are on a cruise that stops in Bermuda, and your vaccination series consists of either, you will not be permitted to go ashore in Bermuda. If you are booked on a cruise that exclusively visits Bermuda, you will be denied boarding.

Health & Safety

PRE-EMBARKATION TESTING REQUIREMENTS

Guests Embarkation Testing Requirements

Guests embarking on a Silversea vessel who are fully vaccinated or up-to-date are no longer required to present a negative PCR or Antigen test.

Guests who are fully vaccinated or up-to-date must bring their proof of vaccination to the ship. Guests who do not present their proof of vaccination will be required to take a COVID-19 test, as stated below. They may also be subject to more demanding and restrictive protocols during the voyage.

Unvaccinated guest

Unvaccinated guests must present proof of a valid negative Antigen or PCR test result performed within 72 hours before embarkation:

  • The test may be administered by a verified third party, either a laboratory or pharmacy OR
  • A self-test at home, verified by a third party (telehealth provider, pharmacy or laboratory).

The Certificate must contain the guest’s name (as shown on the cruise ticket), as well as the date of test, and result. You must provide a digital or printed proof upon embarkation.

Important: self-test at home kits cannot be verified by a friend or family member.

PLEASE NOTE: All guests aged from 0 to 2 years old are exempted from testing.

IMPORTANT: Please also be advised that unvaccinated guests may be required to take a COVID-19 test – as subjected by local governments. Silversea will provide the COVID-19 test complimentary, and you will be informed when the test will take place once you are onboard.

PLEASE NOTE: As Silversea will no longer be providing pier-side testing for embarking guests, it is imperative that all unvaccinated guests arrive to the pier with their individual negative test result. If guests arrive for embarkation without a valid negative test result, they will be denied boarding.

Pre-Arrival Testing Option

The Antigen test may be administered by a verified third party, either a laboratory or pharmacy OR a self-test at home, verified by a third party (telehealth provider, pharmacy or laboratory). The Certificate must contain the guest's name (as shown on the cruise ticket), as well as date of test, and result. You must provide a digital or printed proof upon embarkation.

Whilst approved self-test kits are now readily available at pharmacies and drugstore chains, we are pleased to make them available for order pre-cruise. We suggest that you order them at least one full week in advance of your sailing. These tests allow you to complete your pre-cruise test at home, or any place of your choosing, with the help of live video supervision by a Certified Testing Guide. Your results are typically ready in about 15 minutes, please click here to order your home self-test kit.

Physical Distancing

Physical distancing among guests will no longer be required; although our crew will maintain this practice.

Thanks to the intimate size of our ships and the abundance of space enjoyed by our guests, our ships can guarantee physical distancing with only minor reconfigurations to onboard public areas.

Our flexible embarkation procedure will be further relaxed by the implementation of staggered check-in times at various locations on the pier. This will ensure space for every guest to embark in comfort and safety.

Exploration ashore

Guests wishing to go ashore will be able to experience each port either on Silversea's shore excursions or, in destinations where permitted, independently, at their leisure—all whilst respecting local health and safety requirements, if and when applicable.

All shore excursions will comply with Silversea's health and safety measures. To better prepare for your journey with us, please book your shore excursions through My Silversea before your voyage. You are reminded to carry your vaccination certification with you when exploring each destination, as you may be required to present proof of vaccination to access restaurants, transportation, and local attractions.

Masks

The wearing of masks during the cruise will be at each guest’s discretion, with the exception of the Explorer Lounge and during muster drills on board, as well as when travelling in all motor coaches and/or buses and when exploring town/s where masks remain mandatory. Whilst we recognize that the wearing of a mask is a personal choice, we do strongly encourage our guests to wear a mask whilst indoors aboard ship and when on Zodiacs, other than when actively eating or drinking, or when in the privacy of your suite. Note that the Staff and Crew aboard all our ships will continue to wear masks for the foreseeable future.

Silversea is constantly monitoring the public health guidelines and will modify its policies accordingly.

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW

Sanitation

Extensive cleaning and sanitation measures have been introduced to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness are met. These around the clock measures include constant sanitation of public and high-traffic areas. Suites will be disinfected twice daily. Departure terminals will be subject to continual disinfection on all surfaces both before and after embarkation. Where permitted, we will implement fogging to sanitise hard to reach and potentially hazardous areas.
Upon embarkation, guests will be provided with a portable sanitisation kit, which will include hospital grade hand sanitiser. Hand sanitising points will be placed in easily accessible and strategic points throughout the ship.

Enhanced Air Filtration

The highest grade of medical air filters (MERV 13 or HPA according to HVAC standards) have been installed on board our ships. On each of our ships, our HVAC systems supply fresh, filtered air from outdoors to all areas. This continual intake of fresh air means old air is replaced, with a full total air change per hour - well above the minimum required.

Medical Facilities & Expert Response

Our high-quality onboard medical care is stronger than ever, with enlarged teams of doctors and/or nurses on each ship, as well as state-of-the-art equipment enhancements. Additionally, all ships have been appointed with an Infection Control Officer. This person is responsible for ensuring that all enhanced sanitary measures are met. Our multi-level COVID-19 Expert Response Plan has been developed and approved by the Healthy Sail Panel to contain an outbreak if a positive case is confirmed. These protocols include tracing methods and notification of those who may have been exposed, as well as dedicated isolation and quarantine areas.

BOOKING WITH CONFIDENCE

Covid-19 Protections

Should authorities in a guest’s country of residence prohibit travel, or should a guest or a member of their travelling party test positive for COVID-19 within 30 days of embarkation, the guest will be able to convert their booking into a 100% Future Cruise Credit or receive a 100% refund for the total booking amount. Click here for more information.

Safe, Timely Return Home

Silversea has developed a robust repatriation plan should any guest or crew member fall ill with COVID-19 while on board one of our ships. We have worked closely with local authorities to ensure that immediate medical attention is provided should the need arise, and have strengthened and upgraded our telemedicine consultations. Silversea will cover COVID-19-related expenses for onboard medical and repatriation costs.