Starting now, Norwegian Cruise Line will not allow any passenger age 70 or higher to board their ships without a note from their doctor saying it’s OK. Inconvenient? Sure. But that’s just the start. The Certificate Of Medical Fitness To Travel form can be filled out no more than 7 days prior to sailing. New here also, this cruise line will review future plans on a rolling 30 day basis going forward. Here’s the news:

To help ensure the safety and well-being of all guests and crew worldwide, effective immediately, all guests who are 70 years of age and older must provide a Certificate of Medical Fitness to Travel form prior to embarkation.

This easy-to-complete form must be signed by a licensed medical professional and be dated no more than seven days prior to the date of embarkation or seven days prior to the start of a guest’s travels if the guest is traveling for more than seven days before a voyage.

If your clients are 70 years of age and older, please have them bring the completed form with them as they will be required to present the form prior to embarkation. Those who do not present the form will be denied boarding and will be issued a future cruise certificate for the value of their cruise.

The cruise industry has been in active discussions with the White House and federal agencies on preventative measures such as this. We are proactively notifying guests of this requirement in order to ensure they are prepared given the rapid developments related to COVID-19. This update to our health and safety policies is being implemented immediately across our ships that embark or disembark in a U.S. port. While we apologize for any inconvenience, we are taking significant comprehensive preventative measures to maintain the safety and well-being of our guests and crew. We greatly appreciate your attention to this very important matter.

We will update these requirements as needed following further guidance from the U.S Government. 

Royal Caribbean has also updated its coronavirus protocols starting Monday, March 16. Boarding will be denied to any person age 70 or older, unless they have written verification from a physician that certifies the person is fit to travel.