My name is Brian McGee and I am a Leisure Travel Consultant for Uniglobe Travel Designers in Columbu
The travel landscape is different and will continue to be that way. Consult travel experts the way you consult personal trainers, hair stylists, etc. Uniglobe Travel Designers is here for you before, during and after travel.
Do you want a Holiday or a Hassle? For better trips, use a travel agent - especially now.
Many cruise lines have made some significant changes to their vaccine mandates. Here are the latest COVID vaccine and testing requirements for some of the top cruise lines!
Azamara:
Vaccinations: Required for all guests 12 years of age and older. A small number of exemptions are available but must be applied for.
Boosters: All guests 12 and older must get a booster dose once they become eligible to do so.
Testing: Azamara no longer requires pre-cruise COVID-19 testing, except when visiting ports where pre-travel testing is still required.
Carnival Cruise Line:
Vaccinations: Required for all guests ages 12 and older through September 5, 2022. For cruises departing September 6 and after, unvaccinated guests are welcome on sailings of less than 16 nights without applying for an exemption, with the exception of cruises in Australia.
Through September 5, vaccine exemptions are limited to a small number of guests (ages five and above) and are capacity-controlled based on the total number of vaccinated guests projected to be onboard. Exemptions must be applied for. On Panama Canal cruises of 16 days or longer, vaccine exemptions will not be granted for minors under 12.
Boosters: Not required, except on 2022 departures of Carnival Pride and Carnival Celebration in Europe, and on the Sept. 6 23-day Transpacific sailing of Carnival Splendor. For these sailings, vaccinated guests, ages 12 and older who are more than six months past their last initial vaccine series must present proof of booster shot.
Testing: Through September 5, there is no pre-cruise testing requirement for fully vaccinated guests on cruises with itineraries of five days or less. Starting September 6, pre-cruise testing is no longer required on any sailing for fully vaccinated guests except on cruises to Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia, and on voyages of 16 nights and longer.
Guests on sailings of six days or longer -- through September 5 -- must present proof of a negative PCR or lab-administered or supervised self-administered antigen COVID-19 test conducted within three days before departure.
All unvaccinated guests (or anyone who does not show proof of vaccination) must provide proof of a negative lab-administered or supervised self-administered antigen COVID-19 test taken within three days before embarkation. Guests traveling on back-to-back cruises will need to be tested in between voyages.
Children younger than 5 are exempt from vaccination and testing requirements in the U.S.
Except for Bermuda cruises, guests who have recovered from COVID-19 within three months of their sail date do not need the required pre-cruise test if they are at least 10 days past their positive test result date, have no symptoms, and produce a document of recovery from COVID-19.
Bermuda & Canada Cruises: Fully vaccinated cruisers traveling to Bermuda and Canada – on any length of sailing – can take either a PCR test within 72 hours prior to sailing, or an antigen test taken no earlier than two days prior to sailing.
Celebrity Cruises:
Vaccinations: Required for all guests ages 12 and older through September 4, 2022.
Starting September 5, 2022 all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, are welcome onboard all Celebrity cruises except those that sail to or from ports in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Galapagos cruises also require that all guests, ages 3 and older, be fully vaccinated.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Starting with August 5, vaccinated guests on sailings of nine nights or less do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their ship (excluding sailings that visit Canada and Bermuda).
Vaccinated guests on sailings of 10 nights or longer or those that visit Canada and Bermuda must continue to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of boarding their ship. Celebrity will accept results from any commercially-available test, including unsupervised and self-administered tests, except on sailings that visit Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Greece or New Zealand, which all still require a supervised test.
Through September 4, all unvaccinated guests, ages 2 and older, must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of embarkation, but not on embarkation day, in order to board irrespective of sailing length. These guests will also be given an additional COVID-19 antigen test at the terminal prior to boarding.
Starting September 5, children under 5 years of age sailing from the U.S. and under 12 years of age sailing from Europe do not need to test prior to boarding.
Celestyal Cruises:
Vaccinations: Required for all guests ages 12 and older.
Boosters: Required for anyone whose last initial vaccine was more than 270 days before embarkation.
Testing: All guests ages 6 and older must present a negative supervised COVID-19 antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to embarkation.
Disney Cruise Line:
Vaccinations: Required for all guests ages 5 and older. (Starting September 2, the vaccination requirement applies only to guests ages 12 and older for sailings departing from the U.S. and Canada.)
Boosters: Not required for U.S.-based cruises, but may be required on some European itineraries.
Testing: Fully-vaccinated guests on sailings departing U.S. and Canadian ports must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 proctored antigen test or PCR test taken no more than two days before setting sail. (Fully-vaccinated guests on sailings departing European ports must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than one to two days before setting sail.)
Guests who have recovered from COVID-19 within 11 to 90 days of their sail date may submit appropriate documentation to be exempt from the testing requirement.
Children, ages 4 and under, (or younger than 12 after September 2) must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than three days before sail date. The test must be a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT), a rapid PCR test or a lab-based PCR test. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted. Unvaccinated children must also complete a test at the terminal prior to embarkation.
Fully-vaccinated guests who do not upload pre-trip test results to the Safe Passage website by midnight prior to embarkation day will be tested at the terminal before boarding and charged for the cost of the test.
All guests on consecutive, back-to-back sailings, regardless of age and vaccination status, must undergo a COVID-19 test at the terminal after debarking the ship following their first cruise.
Holland America Line:
Vaccinations: Required for all guests ages 12 and older through September 5, 2022. Starting September 6, all guests regardless of vaccination status are welcome onboard most sailings of 15 days or less except on full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean crossings, and when sailing to destinations where mandates are still in place.
Children under 5 are automatically exempt from the vaccination requirement, but through September 5 unvaccinated children between 5 and 11 need to go through an exemption process.
Booster: Not required for U.S.- and Canada-based sailings. Guests ages 18 and older sailing in Europe are required to have a booster if the last dosage of their initial vaccine series was more than 270 days before sailing.
Testing: Through September 5, all guests 2 and older must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of sailing if they are up-to-date with their vaccines (ie have had booster if they are eligible for it) or within two days if they are not up-to-date with their vaccines. Guests who have recovered from COVID-19 within three months of their embarkation do not need a test before embarkation if they are at least 10 days past their infection, have no symptoms and produce appropriate documentation of recovery.
Guests aged 2 and older embarking in a Canadian port or a U.S. port that includes Canada in the itinerary must take either an antigen test within two days of embarkation of a PCR test within 72 hours prior to embarkation.
Starting September 6, vaccinated passengers are exempt from pre-cruise testing on most cruises under 15 days except on sailings where local regulations apply, such as in Greece and Australia. Unvaccinated passengers or those who do not show proof of vaccination must provide proof of a negative, pre-cruise test taken within three days of embarkation.
Norwegian Cruise Line:
Vaccinations: Starting September 3, vaccinations are only required for cruises visiting destinations that require it such as Canada, Bermuda and Greece. Guests aged 11 and under will not be subject to vaccination requirements or testing protocols of any kind
Boosters: On sailings that require vaccinations, vaccinated guests must meet the definition of “fully vaccinated” based on the destination they are embarking and/or traveling to and must provide proof of vaccination.
Testing: Starting September 3, testing is not required for vaccinated guests of any age. Unvaccinated guests, aged 12 and older, or those who cannot or decline to provide proof of vaccination, will need to present a negative medically administered PCR or Antigen COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to boarding
Princess Cruises:
Vaccinations: Required for all guests ages 12 and older through September 5, 2022. Starting September 6, all guests are welcome onboard regardless of vaccination status except on voyages of 16 days or longer or that visit countries where mandates are still in place such as in Greece.
Boosters: Only for cruises departing from Europe, a booster dose is required for anyone over 18 years of age if the last dose of the primary vaccine series was more than 270 days prior to the date of disembarkation.
Testing: Through September 5, all guests, ages 5 and older, require proof of a negative medically-observed COVID-19 test taken within two days for antigen tests and within three days for PCR tests.
Starting September 6, vaccinated guests no longer have to test before their cruise, except on voyages of 16 days or longer, full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean sailings and other special itineraries.
Unvaccinated guests ages 5 and older, or those who do not provide proof of vaccination status before their cruise, will need to upload proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of sailing.
In Europe, children under 5 are not required to take a pre-cruise COVID-19 test.
Any unvaccinated guests on Europe sailings ages 5 and older will need an embarkation day COVID-19 test performed at the terminal in addition to their pre-cruise PCR test.
Royal Caribbean International:
Vaccinations: Required for all guests ages 12 and older through September 4.
Starting with sailings departing on September 5 or after, all guests regardless of vaccination status are welcome onboard all sailings except those to and from Canada, Bermuda, Australia and Singapore.
Booster: Not required.
Testing: Starting September 5, testing is not required for vaccinated guests on cruises of nine days or less. Unvaccinated passengers over the age of 5 will need to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken with three days of boarding. All commerically-available tests are accepted, including self-tests.
On sailings of 10 nights or longer, all guests over the age of 5 must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of boarding.
Through September 4, on sailings of any length, unvaccinated kids ages 2 to 11 must show a negative test result for a PCR test (not antigen) taken no more than three days before boarding, but not taken on embarkation day. They will also need to take an antigen test at the terminal, as well as an antigen test before their cruise ends (on cruises of five nights and longer).
On European cruises, vaccinated guests who are up to date (have had a booster) must show a negative result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than two days before boarding. Vaccinated guests who are not up to date will have a one-day window to take this test. Unvaccinated children ages 2 to 11 must show a negative result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than one day before boarding. Guests 12 and up that are not up-to-date with their vaccinations will also need to take an antigen test within one day of disembarking.
The requirement will be dropped Sunday, June 12.
Luxury, meet adventure. On Rocky Mountaineer trains newest route, Rockies to the Red Rocks, you’ll embark on a spectacular journey through the ever-changing landscapes between Moab, Utah and Denver, Colorado. Call or send us a message for details about this unique rail journey and available packages.
Last month I had the opportunity to attend the Ascend 2021 conference in Cancun, MX. You can check out my review of the event at the link below.
Ascend Conference 2021: Reflections Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending the annual Ascend Conference in Cancun, Mexico, hosted by Apple Leisure Group Vacations. This conference brings together 500 of the top Travel Agencies in the country for leisure, learning, and celebrating the a...
I would like to share a story with you. Something to Think About:
You have planned for months to go on the perfect vacation for you, your family, and your friends. The countdown on your phone has reached hours, instead of months and days. You have done everything you needed to do to be ready! Now you’re packed and anxiously awaiting waking up and heading to the airport.
Then….you get an alert on your phone!! The flight that you, your family, and your closest friends are to be on in less than 12 hours..Cancelled!! Not because of weather, not because of some natural disaster, No Warning…just Cancelled!
Now, the airline was kind enough to protect you and book you on a flight for the next day, but now your 5 day vacation has turned out to be 4. No big deal? Maybe, but how many vacations do you get a year? Maybe this was THE trip! The one you’ve been waiting your life for. What do you do?
Well, when this happened to our clients last night, they made one phone call and they went to bed. 6 hours later, they received emails with their new flights on a new airline and are all currently on their plane flying to their resort together on the day they had been anticipating for months. Not tomorrow!
Now, this isn’t a post to boast or get an attaboy. If you know me, you know I don’t need a pat on the back. This is a post that I wanted to share with you that things like this happens. If or when it happens to you, what are you going to do? Do you know the channels to go through to help resolve it? Luckily, I do. I have been put in a position to be successful and find resolutions for our clients.
This story isn’t unique. Every agent has this story, just like every gambler has a bad beat, and it was worse than yours! Does it always work out like this? No! There are times where we are just at the mercy of the airline, the tour operator, or Mother Nature! One thing that is for certain, if you hire a Travel Consultant, your chances for a successful outcome are greater.
Are our services free…? Nope! Are our services worth it…? I guarantee you those 12 clients about to land in their tropical paradise will tell you…Absolutely!
It’s the little touch of service that means so much.
Adios Mexico! 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽
It’s been an amazing 4 days here in Mexico! A little food, a little drink (🤥), and a lot of learning! Met some great new friends as well as partners in the business. I will always treasure the moments we had here. We have the big send off party tonight which I’m sure will have a few surprises and then back home tomorrow!
Buenos Días!
I have arrived at Secrets The Vine Cancun and like I said, it is beautiful! One of the few high rise hotels in Cancun and every room is an ocean view. It’s right in the heart of the Hotel Zone. If you are a wine lover, this place is definitely one you should visit!
I’m headed out to Cancun! I will be staying at the beautiful Secrets The Vine Resort and attending the ALG Vacations Ascend 2021. Over the next couple of days, I’ll be attending workshops and meeting with reps from some of our most trusted suppliers. This will be a unique learning experience for me and a way to be able to grow as an agent. I’m thankful for this opportunity and very much look forward to it. Be sure to follow along as I’ll be updating with pictures and stories from this experience.
Fact!
Where will you be going next?
It's not too late to getaway with your family before school starts! The Iberostar Paraíso del Mar is a family hotel located in Playa Paraíso, between Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos, along Mexico's beautiful Mayan Riviera. With its grand, impressive Mexican decor, this luxurious Colonial-style resort will leave you in awe as soon as you step in to the reception area. The hotel’s complimentary shuttle makes it easy for guests to travel throughout the resort, it runs on a regular basis! So pick up the phone and give me a call...then pack your bags and go!
Nonstop flights with Apple Vacations, includes transfers!
8/2/21, 8/28/21
7 NIGHTS!!!! Double Room Category
Only $879pp!
Prices subject to change and based on availability to so don't delay, call me today!
Do you plan on traveling outside the country in the early future? Is your passport up to date? If not, you will want to get this taking care of sooner rather than later. Passport renewals are taking as long as 18 weeks. Expedited passports are taking up to 12 weeks. If you have small children and have to apply in person, appointments are very hard to come by. Do not delay!
Princess to return to Alaska Sailings in July!!! See below for more details...
We are excited to announce our plans to restart cruising in the U.S. with a partial season of Alaska sailings! Following passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, work with Alaska government officials, and recent guidance from the U.S. CDC, our shortened Alaska summer season will include one ship, Majestic Princess, sailing 7-Day Alaska Inside Passage (with Glacier Bay National Park) voyages, roundtrip from Seattle.
Our first 2021 Alaska voyage will set sail on July 25, 2021, aboard Majestic Princess.
My clients arrived at Universal today and found out they had been upgraded to a room with a view! That’s the way to start a vacation!
My clients are having a great first day at Disney! Thanks for allowing me to be part of your vacation.
With so much uncertainty as to what’s open and what not, here is a basic rule to help you decide where to go! If you need any further assistance, call me! ✈️✈️✈️
We are really close to cruises coming back. When they do, will you be ready? Where do you want to cruise to?
Cruising could restart in mid-summer in American waters, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a letter to the cruise industry.
RIU Las Americas Cancun
I would be going to Greece! What about you?
It’s happening! We are certain to see more of the same very soon! 🚢🚢🚢
Celebrity Cruises announced it will be able to restart cruises in June from St. Maarten....
Have you missed cruising?
Have you had your vaccine?
Well, today Royal Caribbean has announced that they will begin sailing again in June from the Bahamas!
Fully vaccinated adults plus children that can produce a negative COVID test will be allowed to sail on this 7 day cruise from the Bahamas to Coco Cay and Cozumel!
What to find out more information? Let's Chat!!
We’re thrilled to announce that cruising is BACK! Beginning in June 2021, departures will resume as we introduce Adventure of the Seas® to her new homeport of Nassau, Bahamas. Offering weeklong getaways, vacationers can enjoy a day in Cozumel, Mexico, as well as an island-hopping sampler of ...
We will trave again! Summer vacations are right around the corner. The time to start planning is now!
Read what our Owner/President had to say about the future of travel in The Washington Post.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/summer-travel-planning-covid/
While we may be traveling this summer, it won’t be the "old normal." Here are travel experts' predictions.
A special “Thank You” to the Jones family for allowing me the opportunity to help plan their family vacation to Disney and Universal Orlando! It looks like you all had an amazing time! Congrats to Travis and Katherine for securing their Prom dates while there! What a fun way to celebrate the moment! I am truly grateful to have played a part in making memories that will surely last a lifetime.
I’m going to Belize! Where are you going?
Where are you going? I going to Belize!
Not every Mardi Gras is cancelled! If you can't celebrate in Louisiana, Universal Orlando has you covered!
https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/terms-of-service/mardi-gras
Join us daily from Feb 6 - Mar 28 for Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval, featuring international food, Carnaval-inspired street entertainment, and floats on display.
As quickly as the times change, so will the response! One other reason why you should have a Travel Advisor. We have resources to help keep up to date with the ever changing world!
https://www.bestallinclusive.com/all-inclusive-resorts-respond-to-cdc/
All Inclusive Resorts come through with updated protocols in response to the latest CDC requirement of a negative COVID-19 test for all air passengers entering the United States.
As you may or may not know, this week new guidelines were implemented by the CDC for all airline entries into the United States, including U. S. Citizens. As a Travel Advisor, my first instinct was Do Not Panic!
Our Industry and our Agency has been hit hard this past year, as have many of yours have too. Therefore, it would be easy to see this as a possible setback, but I refuse to see this as a negative. Several countries have already been requiring this for visitors, we are just joining them. During this time, we do what we have to do in order to live in the current state of the world.
Below you can read the guidelines. Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Stay Safe!
U.S. Entry Testing Requirements
CDC Guidelines
INFORMATION ABOUT THE CDC TESTING REQUIREMENTS
According to the CDC, air passengers entering the U.S. will be required to present documentation of a negative COVID-19 viral test (called a Qualifying Test) conducted within the 3 days before their flight to the United States departs.
Documentation should be for a viral test as approved or authorized by the relevant national authority.
Test Results Must State: Negative, SARS-CoV2 RNA Not Detected, SARS-CoV-2 Antigen
Not Detected, or COVID-19 Not Detected.
Documentation may be paper or electronic copy and must include the name and contact information for the laboratory or healthcare personnel who performed the test.
Test results may be required to be shown again upon landing.
Alternatively, passengers may provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 with documentation of test results conducted during the three months preceding the flight’s departure from a foreign country.
Test results must state: Positive, SARS-CoV2 RNA Detected, SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Detected, or COVID-19 Detected. Invalid will not be accepted.
Additionally, a letter from a licensed health professional stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel (called Documentation of Recovery).
Finally, all airline passengers will be required to present a simple CDC attestation form to the airline for collection prior to boarding. That form can be found here for reference.
I’m sure we can all agree, we are ready for 2021!
This year has been tough, but we are constantly encouraged by your support. Thank you for sticking with us, for dreaming with us, for zooming with us, and all of the above. We are still here for you as your partner in travel and kicking off this new year with the utmost gratitude. Now.... where we going in 2021!?
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