American Cruise Lines’ cruises resumed in March 2021 at a reduced capacity. The cruise line regularly provides updates to guests as new information becomes available. If a cruise is unable to operate, booked guests receive a refund or Cruise Vouchers or a future cruise.

American Cruise Lines is committed to the safety of our guests, crew, and community partners. Operating protocols are the result of work with local, state, and federal officials. While nothing can eliminate risk, the health protocols help mitigate risk and enhance safety onboard.

Guests and Crew members must submit a negative COVID-19 test result before travel to the ship and prior to boarding. A certified, onboard Medical Officer will briefly screen guests just before boarding and both Guests and Crew members must wear masks during the cruise to comply with the Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic And International Travel.

Following is guidance and information for guests planning to enjoy a river cruise aboard American Cruise Lines vessels:

PREPARING TO TRAVEL AND BOARDING

Guests should minimize contact with others, self-quarantine before travel, and must take a COVID-19 test within four days of the start of their cruise package. American Cruise lines will only accept PCR or molecular test results. Guests must submit their test result to American Cruise Lines at [email protected] and present the outcome at the time of boarding.

Guests will submit a basic pre-travel health questionnaire about their recent travel history, general wellness, and vaccination.

On arrival to the ship (or pre-cruise hotel, if applicable), guests will meet with the ship’s certified Medical Officer. The Medical Officer will review the test results and will conduct a brief health evaluation. An additional COVID-19 test will be required using the shipboard medical facility if the Medical Officer determines it is necessary. 

Pre-boarding testing requirements do not negate the need for mask-wearing, daily health checks, or possible additional COVID-19 tests during the cruise.  

Guests are strongly encouraged to get a COVID-19 vaccine before travel. Guests with a vaccine must comply with all the requirements of the American Cruise Lines Operating Protocol, including testing and mask-wearing. 

SHIP TECHNOLOGY AND SPECIFICATIONS

American Cruise Lines takes great pride in small, modern ships with spacious staterooms and the latest technology for safety and comfort. Many of these attributes have been leveraged in their operating plan to provide a safe environment on board. 

Each ship will operate at a maximum guest capacity of 75% through the spring. These reduced ship capacities offer approximately 450 square feet of space per guest to enable social distancing in all shipboard activities.

Technologies or equipment to ensure a clean environment are part of every ship’s makeup. Each ship has an entirely independent HVAC system with no shared ducting between rooms or public spaces. Isolating HVAC equipment significantly reduces the risk of spreading pathogens to other areas on the ship.

American Cruise Lines takes great care to enhance cleanliness and reduce the number of required touchpoints. A touch-free boarding and check-in process also reduce the potential for spreading illness. The crew thoroughly cleans each vessel between cruises and conducts sanitation rounds hourly during travel.

MEDICAL PRACTICES

American Cruise Lines, in partnership with Vikand Solutions, provides a shipboard certified Medical Officer and various medical services, including COVID-19 testing on each ship. Vikand is a leading global provider of medical services to the maritime industry. In addition to providing services onboard, Vikand has worked with American Cruise Lines and each port of call to reduce risk and ensure competent care in any situation. 

There is a dedicated space on each ship for medical consulting. The consulting areas are equipped with a Quidel Sofia 2 COVID-19 testing machine. An allotment of staterooms aboard each ship is also kept sanitized and unoccupied for isolation purposes if needed.

Working with Vikand, ports of call, and local and state agencies, American Cruise Lines has formulated an Outbreak Management Plan to respond to a confirmed COVID-19 case on board. There is an identified shoreside medical facility in every port of call should hospitalization become necessary.

PPE, including sanitizer and facemasks, will be available to guests and crew at all times.

SHORESIDE OPERATING PROCEDURES

American Cruise Lines has always taken great care to provide a carefully planned, personalized experience ashore. With small ship capacities and even small excursion groups, guests will be able to enjoy shore excursions. 

Staff pre-screens every shore excursion venue and evaluates social distancing capability and sanitation practices. In most cases, social distancing remains possible with a few slight changes.

While always small, shore excursions will be conducted in even smaller groups to enable social distancing. Each venue's ability to ensure distancing practices and safe exploration determines group size.

Each shore-bound group will have private transportation directly to and from each locale. Coaches are sanitized before every boarding and will operate at reduced capacity as needed.

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The Covid-19 Operating Protocol is subject to review and change at any time. As the situation evolves, American Cruise LInes adapts operating practices; this includes the potential for cruise suspension. These practices do not eliminate the risk. Instead, they reduce risk and slow the spread of illness by removing known transmission sources, increasing awareness, and speeding response time.

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