Bonaire welcomes the first cruise ship to the island.
New rules for cruise ships are in place.
Celebrity Cruises is taking precautions seriously. All crew members are fully vaccinated and were quarantined in-house for 14 days before sailing, and they are tested weekly. The Equinox has a few children below 12 years old on board, and approximately 98% of the passengers are fully vaccinated. The on-board monitoring is rigorous, and in case of COVID-related symptoms, the cruise ship has its own medical staff, testing equipment, and designated areas where passengers can be placed in quarantine or isolation. Celebrity Cruises states that they will not impose on the medical capacity of any destination.
The cruise industry enforces a very strict COVID policy and strongly encourages fully vaccinated passengers on board. On the Equinox, fully vaccinated travelers (12 years and older) must show their proof of full vaccination and a negative COVID test before departure from the home port. Not (fully) vaccinated passengers must undergo a PCR test at the terminal before boarding and need to show a negative antigen test result not older than 24 hours when disembarking on Bonaire.
Equinox was voted ‘2020 Best Service’ in the Large Ship category of the Cruise Critic Cruiser’s Choice Awards. Equinox is in the Solstice class and uses various sustainable systems. The ship departed from Florida and visited Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire at 40% of its capacity and approximately 1,120 passengers.
A welcome ceremony to mark the occasion.
Tourism Corporation Bonaire held a small outdoor ceremony this morning. The Captain of Equinox received local gifts from Bonaire to remember the occasion. The captain stated that Celebrity Cruises is doing its utmost to be safe during the pandemic.
(Source: OLB, TCB)
