Permitted vaccines are those authorized by the National Commission of Vaccination and Epidemiology, and the last dose must have been administered at least 14 days before the cruise embarks.
'The resumption of this tourist activity will benefit the ports of Limón, Puntarenas, Caldera, Quepos and Golfito,' Tourism Minister Gustavo J. Segura said. 'Each passenger spends an average of $137 per day, which has an important impact on the reactivation of local economies in coastal communities.'
Nine ships set to call
Segura said that in the run-up to the reopening, ships of nine cruise lines are including Costa Rica in their itineraries: Windstar, Lindblad, Sea Cloud, Seabourn Quest, Celebrity Millennium, Carnival Pride, Crown Princess, Diamond Princess and Seven Seas Mariner. Five of these will arrive in Limón and the rest to Pacific ports.
Four of the ships have an average capacity of 2,500 passengers, while five have an average capacity of fewer than 500 passengers.
'During the first phase of this reopening, most cruise ships will be luxury and accommodate smaller capacities of passengers,' Segura said. The first to arrive will belong to Windstar, carrying approximately 150 passengers, on Sept. 2 in Golfito.
'Health Pass' form required
In addition to vaccination, passengers must complete the epidemiological 'Health Pass' form 72 hours prior to their arrival in the country.
The Port Operation Protocol, endorsed by the Ministry of Health as established in Presidential Directive 082-MP-S, will be observed cruise ships arriving at Caribbean and Pacific ports.
The protocol was drafted by MOPT, INCOP, JAPDEVA, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, the Costa Rican Cruise Industry Association; the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Limón; and Nautica Shipping Agents Costa Rica. Before receiving the Ministry of Health's endorsement, the protocol was approved by MOPT, ICT and the General Directorate of Immigration and Foreigners.
During the 2019/20 season, 239,566 passengers arrived on 113 calls in the Pacific and 84 in the Caribbean. Due to the pandemic, cruise activity in Costa Rica was suspended toward the end of the season, on March 16, 2020.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited.
Add Seatrade Cruise News to your Google News feed.  |
