American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC) and Victory Cruise Lines (VCL) have announced a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all guests that will go into effect for all sailings beginning July 1, 2021. Additionally, the vaccination requirement will apply to shipboard crew members and non-shipboard employees across all seven vessels in the AQSC and VCL fleets.
American Queen docked in New Orleans, Louisana. Photo courtesy of American Queen Steamboat Company
Established by the operators, this latest protective measure expands upon the enhanced health and safety measures announced in 2020, which includes, but is not limited to, pre-cruise COVID-19 testing of all guests and crew and mask mandate in all public areas where social distancing is not possible. Additionally, AQSC and VCL are continuing to work with leading health advisors, including a partnership with VIKAND Medical Solutions, and under the discretion of the CDC on evolving guidelines to protect guests, crew and the communities the boats visit.
The mandatory vaccination requirement will be in effect for all itineraries beginning July 1, 2021, and thereafter. Based on current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommendations that Phase 1c of the vaccination allocation includes essential workers engaged in transportation, vaccinations should be readily be available and able to be administered to crew members before the July 1 target date, All existing health and safety protocols will continue to remain in place following July 1 and until the CDC recommends otherwise. Guests who are unable to receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to their scheduled trip, or who have no intention of receiving the vaccine, should contact the reservations department.
Health & Safety Protocols
AQSC and VCL have created enhanced health and safety protocols to keep guests, crew and the communities the vessels visit safe in the face of COVID-19. New steps being implemented include testing for guests and crew members, an onboard mask mandate in public areas where social distance cannot be maintained, pre-cruise screening, updated boarding processes and increased sanitation measures. These new policies are in place and ready to be implemented when both cruise lines resume operations this spring. As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, AQSC and VCL are prepared to continue to adjust operations and protocols to ensure the wellbeing of everyone involved. These policies, combined with the flexible change policy, reinforce AQSC and VCL’s dedication to guests.
I am willing to provide a clean test for COVID, but not a vaccine passsport. Why is proving that I do not have COVID not enough???? And if everyone is vaccinated, why the need for masks?
Get woke, go broke.
So true!
Sadly, it looks like my cruising days will be coming to an end. Medically, my husband cannot take vaccines (Guillian Barre).
With the effectiveness of the two therapeutics (Ivermectin and Hydroxy) I had hoped the vaccine would not be mandatory.
Gosh, so sorry to hear this. My father had Gillian Barre. Let’s hope for the best. Maybe things could evolve where the vaccine is no longer needed. We hope so for your sake – and ours.
I was thinking about this more. The CDC says that people who have had or have Guillian Barre can take the Covid vaccine: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/underlying-conditions.html