A US-based cruise line just announced a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for its guests and crew

• Windstar Cruises has announced a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for its guests and crew.
• Guests must be vaccinated at least 14 days before a sailing, and will be required to show proof.
• The cruise line is just one of many that have already announced similar requirements.

Several cruise lines around the world have already announced COVID-19 vaccine requirements ahead of the return of cruising. Now, US-based Windstar Cruises will be joining this list with its recent decision to require both guests and crew to be vaccinated.

Like several other cruise lines, Windstar - which currently operates six ships that each carry less than 350 guests - is currently set to resume sailing in June. But if you're an eager Windstar cruiser anticipating this big return, you better be vaccinated.

The small cruise line will require its guests to both test negative for the virus and show proof of the vaccination, which must be received at least 14 days before sailing. Crew members will also have to be vaccinated "as soon as the vaccine is available to them," according to Windstar.

This decision to implement a sweeping COVID-19 vaccine mandate was made in response to increased vaccine access in the US, and "in the best health and wellness interests of its guests, crew, and the places the yachts visit," according to Windstar.

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"Vaccination is another layer of safety for all of us, and it's the responsible course of action as our yachts resume cruising and our guests travel the world," Christopher Prelog, Windstar Cruises' president, said in a statement.

Windstar Cruises is just one of several cruising companies that have recently made announcements regarding vaccine requirements. Cruise lines like Saga, Crystal, and Hornblower Group's "overnight" cruise lines have all announced vaccine requirements for guests. Meanwhile, other companies - like P&O Cruises and Royal Caribbean - have instead decided to unveil specific "fully vaccinated" cruises instead of a sweeping company-wide protocol.

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