Your Cunard experience.
You’ll find a few reassuring changes on board to protect everyone’s health and well-being as well as the usual flourishes and experiences you can expect from your Cunard holiday.
Our protocols can evolve as we work with experts and government bodies to respond to the latest advice, and regularly update our website if and when changes do occur. We recommend revisiting this page before you sail to ensure you’re up to date with the very latest information.
health & safety on board
All guests and crew will be required to follow enhanced health and well-being measures to protect everyone on board. Read the sections below to find out what we have put in place to keep both guests and crew safe and well.
our protocols
While we know some restrictions have eased at home, on board our ships we’re going a step above to ensure you’re looked after. Together with even higher levels of cleanliness, we ask all guests and crew to follow enhanced health and well-being measures, including our 'Hands, Face, Space' system:
Hands – we’re keeping a focus on the importance of thorough hand washing and regular sanitising throughout your holiday.
Face – whilst we highly recommend that guests wear masks on board, they are only required in the theatre, cinema, or if you visit the medical centre. Your mask must cover your nose and mouth and be of good quality (ideally medical grade). Reusable masks should be washed regularly, and visors and face shields aren’t accepted as a substitute for a face mask.
Off the ship, masks are required during embarkation, disembarkation, and when using tender boats*. Some destinations may also require you to wear masks when ashore and we recommend taking one with you whenever you disembark the ship..
Space – we recommend social distancing is practiced throughout your holiday. We’ve made this simple to follow with signs around the ship, crew on hand to help, and additional tools such as our My Voyage digital planner, which enables you to join virtual queues and make on board reservations.
If you’re travelling with friends and family, or you make new friends on board, there’s no need to physically distance when dining together, meeting in a bar, watching a show, or going on a Shore Experience. Shared dining tables are only available on request, otherwise you’ll have a table to yourself.
Public toilets will be available for your use throughout the ship, but we encourage you to use your own stateroom or suite bathroom whenever possible.
Our protocols are subject to change, and may do so on your sailing, as we continue to work with our experts and with government bodies across all the destinations we visit to ensure all of our practices evolve in line with the latest advice. You’ll find the latest information on these pages, and if you’ve booked we’ll let you know of any changes before your voyage.
*Applies to Cunard voyages sailing on or after 27 March 2022. If sailing before this date, please refer to our previously communicated policy, which can be found in emails relating to your voyage.
we will take care of you if you test positive for covid-19 on board
If you or a member of your travelling party tests positive for Covid-19 during your voyage, we’ll take care of you.
Similar to the protocols for all international travel, if you test positive for Covid-19 whilst on board, you and your close contacts will need to isolate for your well-being and the well-being of other guests.
We’ll move you to a dedicated stateroom, with a balcony where possible, and we’ll make sure you’re well looked after with full room service, a choice of three meals a day, free access to TV channels, and a complimentary laundry service.
Our dedicated medical teams will also be on hand to take care of you, either for the duration of your required isolation period, until the next port of call, or until your scheduled port of disembarkation.
Any instances of positive cases on board will be managed by our on board medical teams in conjunction with the local port authority to determine the best course of action. The framework of protocols for cruise ships can differ slightly to those on land and to other forms of travel. Some ports, such as those in Spain, require guests and their close contacts who test positive on board to disembark in port and continue their period of isolation ashore.
If you’re required to disembark the ship for this reason, we’ll work with the local authorities to secure the most appropriate accommodation for your period of isolation ashore. In most instances, this will be a pre-determined hotel, which has been identified as able to accommodate positive cases of Covid-19. Our dedicated support team will help you to contact your travel insurance provider. However, if your insurance doesn’t cover your required disembarkation arrangements, we will organise and pay for your isolation stay and journey home*.
All UK resident guests who test positive for Covid-19, and are in isolation on their return to Southampton, will be able to travel home to isolate after disembarkation. This can be in your own car (if you parked in Southampton) or via a private hire car, which would be organised by us. We ask that you check with your insurance provider as they may reimburse for travel costs associated with a positive Covid-19 test. If your provider won’t cover the cost of your journey home, we’ll take care of it for you.
If you’re required to isolate/quarantine during your time on board, you’ll be given a non-refundable Future Cruise Credit (FCC) pro-rated for the duration of your isolation/quarantine period. This FCC (which for UK guests is not ABTA or ATOL protected) can be used on any new booking made and is valid for two years from the date of issue.
Don’t forget, appropriate travel insurance remains a requirement to travel.
*Per our booking conditions it is mandatory to have travel insurance with Covid-19 cover. If you, unfortunately, test positive during your holiday, you should let your insurance company know immediately and keep them updated throughout your period of isolation. If you’re required to disembark the ship, we will look after you by providing all of the following free of charge: calls from the ship to your insurance provider to let them know of your disembarkation (and we will work with them to support any claims), hotel accommodation with standard meals, non-alcoholic drinks during the period of isolation, flights from the isolation destination to your country of residence, and associated airport transfers.
Muster drills
Upon embarkation, one of our friendly crew will be able to help direct you to your assembly station. You’ll have your boarding pass or Voyage card scanned and can familiarise yourself with your assembly station, ensuring you know where you need to go in the event of an emergency.
When you arrive at your suite or stateroom, we ask that you watch our safety video that will be showing on your in-cabin TV. This includes important health, well-being and safety information as well as the actions you would need to take in the unlikely event of an emergency, including a life jacket demonstration.
Once this is done, you can relax, explore and enjoy everything your ship has to offer.
staying healthy on board
We recommend you take the following precautionary measures:
- Have close interactions only with your travelling party.
- Keep a physical distance of at least 1 metre from other guests.
- Remain vigilant and report any Covid-19 symptoms to the Medical team straight away.
- (for UK guests) If you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace whilst on board please contact the Medical team immediately.
All our ships have 24/7 medical centres staffed by experienced doctors and nurses to help support your health needs.
If you’re required to isolate/quarantine while on board, you'll receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) pro-rated for the duration of your isolation/quarantine period. This FCC is not ABTA or ATOL protected until a new booking is made and is valid for two years from the date of issue. For more information on our protocols in the event of a positive test on board, please visit our vaccination and testing policy.
HOLIDAY YOUR WAY WITH MY VOYAGE
Once on board, you’ll be able to access My Voyage, our complimentary digital planner, from any smart device by joining the ship’s Wi-Fi. My Voyage allows you to browse and book your ship’s restaurants, select entertainment on board, and join a virtual queue (giving you more time to relax while we prepare your table).
If you don’t have a smart device with you on board, you can also make bookings for the spa, dining and shore experiences by calling our dedicated reservations line on 38000 or by visiting the Purser’s Desk in the Grand Lobby.
FACILITIES AND VENUES
Please note that, unfortunately, the following on board facilities will not be available. Rest assured, we are providing alternatives where possible.
The nursery, night nursery and children’s clubs will not be in operation.
The spa will be open to soothe your stresses away with an ocean-inspired massage or relaxing facial. Please note, some spa facilities such as the hydrotherapy pools and sauna may not be available. Please visit the spa reception for the latest updates.
GOING ASHORE
We know how much our guests enjoy the opportunity to get under the skin of a destination, so for holidays with ports of call we’ve introduced a wealth of new shore experiences to ensure you experience the best of each exciting stop.
You can book from a wide range of shore experiences up to a year before you set sail via My Cunard.
Guests will also be able to go ashore independently but must adhere to Covid-19 protocols in each destination. However, as restrictions in each destination are changeable, and some destinations may only allow cruise line organised experiences ashore, we highly recommend you purchase Cunard shore experiences prior to travel to ensure you always have the option to explore each destination.
During your holiday, destinations and venues ashore on your itinerary may have various documentation requirements. You’re responsible for meeting the entry requirements of each destination and any venues you may visit ashore, regardless of whether you’ve booked a Cunard shore experience or are exploring independently. Please retain your proof of vaccination status throughout your holiday and keep this to hand when going ashore in case it is required.
Testing may also be required to go ashore in various destinations on your itinerary. These tests will be available to purchase on board (at a cost of $25 per antigen test per person and $35 per PCR test per person). Currently, the majority of ports we will be visiting this year do not require entry testing.
We’ve put together an A-Z guide detailing the current requirements of each of the destinations we visit, which we will update regularly; use the link below to download this guide as a pdf for your reference.
CLEANINGLESS & ON BOARD EXPERIENCE
CLEANINGLESS AND CARE
We have always taken pride in the cleanliness of our ships. Our enhanced measures will raise these standards even higher, ensuring all areas are inspected and cleaned even more regularly, with products proven to be effective against Covid-19. Added hand sanitiser and hand-washing stations will also be available for your comfort and well-being.
All Cunard ships are already fitted with HEPA air filtration in appropriate areas. Ahead of our sailing restart we will be further enhancing existing filtration, further maximising fresh air circulation and also fitting ultraviolet light disinfection across all our ships. These ship-wide upgrades to on-board air systems are based on the latest indoor air quality guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
For added peace of mind, we are initially operating with a reduced occupancy on our ships to ensure we’re able to adhere to the latest social distancing guidelines. Social distancing is in place in all public areas and lifts will have limited capacity, though still available to those who need to use them.
We require guests to wear a face mask, with no exceptions, in specific areas including the terminal, when moving around indoors on board, and when seated in the theatre. You’re free to remove your mask when seated elsewhere around the ship, when out on deck and when exercising. We would always recommend guests wash their mask daily and choose a good quality, ideally medical-grade, standard. Please note that visors and face shields will not be accepted as a substitute for a face mask.
bars & restaurants
You can dine with guests travelling in other staterooms but shared tables will only be available when requested, otherwise you will have a table to yourself.
entertainment
One of the pleasures of a Cunard holiday is the opportunity to be entertained around the clock. From theatre shows to live bands, films, guest speakers and cabaret artistes, each day offers so many possibilities. All of our entertainment venues are open and we’ll have plenty of showtimes to ensure you don’t miss out. Most performances will be walk-in, but any that require pre-booking will be clearly indicated in your daily programme.
Activities and leisure.
Whether you’re in the mood for a soothing spa treatment or a yoga class, a browse in the boutiques or a game of blackjack, it’s all waiting for you. Our spa, salon, gym, pools, casino, shops and lounges are all operating. We have some new measures in place to minimise contact, reduce the number of guests in each area, and maintain the highest levels of cleanliness.
Only activities or areas of the ship that would make social distancing difficult are not in operation.
solo travellers
will be able to enjoy delicious dining, world-class entertainment and adventures ashore. Guests travelling alone are welcome to join others for dining and all hosted activities such as workshops, dance classes and shore experiences.
Your suite or stateroom.
Your stateroom steward, or butler if you’re staying in our Queens Grill suites, will maintain your accommodation to our enhanced housekeeping standards throughout your stay. To ensure social distancing, we will kindly ask that you are not in your accommodation whilst cleaning is taking place.
We’ve also introduced an enhanced television service providing essential updates and an extended room service menu for you to enjoy in your suite or stateroom.
in port and post-voyage
in port
We know how much our guests love to get under the skin of each destination and so we’re introducing a new range of experiences, including more accessible options, to ensure you still have the opportunity to experience the best of each exciting stop.
You’re also welcome to go ashore independently but must adhere to the specific Covid-19 protocols in each destination. As restrictions in each destination are changeable, and some destinations may only allow cruise line organised experiences ashore, we highly recommend you purchase Cunard shore experiences prior to travel to ensure you always have the option to explore each destination. We’ll arrange options for organised Cunard shore experiences and health protocols such as social distancing, face masks and sanitising will be in place to protect the well-being of all guests and crew.
We’ve put together an A-Z guide detailing the current requirements of each of the destinations we visit, which we will update regularly; download this guide as a pdf for your reference.(A-Z list of port entry requirements)
reservations before and during yOur VOYAGE
To help us manage social distancing on board, you can now book select activities and dining venues on your voyage. You can do this once on board by calling our dedicated reservation line from your stateroom telephone, by visiting the Purser’s Desk in the Grand Lobby or by using our digital planner, My Voyage, from an internet-enabled device.
You can also use My Cunard to book shore experiences, purchase drinks packages and more, before you step on board. Log in to My Cunard after you've made your cruise booking to see the full range of personalisation options for your holiday.
reTURNING HOME
We’d like to remind you that it's important to stay up to date with the latest travel requirements relating to all aspects of your holiday. It is your responsibility to organise and complete all documentation and testing requirements, therefore please ensure you are aware of, and compliant with, the latest Government guidance for travelling. This includes travel to your port of embarkation and your return home. The guidance may change with little warning. For the latest government guidance please visit the UK Government website.