Holland America, Seabourn end vax mandate for many cruises, ease testing

At both lines, for most voyages up to 15 nights, vaccinated passengers will no longer have to test before cruising and unvaccinated travelers will be welcomed with a negative supervised or self-test taken within three days before embarking.

The changes take effect with cruises from Sept. 6.

Excepting Canada, Australia, Greece

The new protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations differ, including Canada, Australia and Greece.

And other exceptions ... 

The changes for cruises up to 15 nights also do not apply to Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean and designated remote voyages.

Vaccinated passengers must provide evidence of vaccination status prior to embarkation.

Longer cruises require testing, certain vaccination levels

For cruises 16 nights or longer, plus full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean and designated remote voyages all passengers 5 and older will have to submit a medically supervised COVID-19 test taken within three days before embarking.

Travelers on these cruises must be vaccinated or request an exemption. 

Those on longer voyages will be provided additional information about protocols based on ports visited.

See also 'Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess drop vax mandate for many cruises, Cunard eases testing'