Windstar is always updating information and policies on the Health & Safety page on Windstar’s website. For the most current information on Windstar’s handling of COVID-19, review this page.

Yes, Windstar will administer each guest a complimentary PCR test prior to sailing. A negative test result is required.

No, however, we recommend that guests in this category consult their physician prior to travel. Guests should also refer to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for further information.

All guests are required to have a negative PCR test prior to boarding the yacht. A PCR test may be taken up to two days prior to boarding the flight to the embarkation city. In addition, please check testing requirements for your destination before you depart from home. Please note that PCR tests must be administered by an accredited facility, home test kits will not be accepted.

All crew will be PCR tested (with a negative result required) prior to departure from home, prior to their embarkation to their assigned ship, upon conclusion of a minimum 7-day quarantine, and on a weekly basis thereafter until adjusted based on sound public health and medical guidance.

The most up-to-date information will always be on the Health & Safety page on Windstar’s website. All guests will be sent a letter 7 days after booking advising them where Windstar’s Health and Safety updates can be found on the website. A similar letter will be sent 7 days prior to departure. We highly recommend that guests check the Windstar website prior to departure, especially the CIBT Entry Guide, as well as check official websites for the destination countries to be visited for all requirements.

Guests required to wear surgical quality masks during travel to the ship, as well as follow any mask mandates in place from local health authorities.

Guests will be allowed to embark if:

• they have a vaccine series completed at least 14 days prior to embarkation;
• their COVID-19 test at embarkation is negative; and
• they pass the pre-embarkation health screening (no symptom history, cough and/or difficulty breathing) and have not been identified as a close contact by another guest who tests positive on the pre-embarkation test.

These guests will proceed to a secondary screening process consisting of an additional COVID-19 test or an evaluation of symptoms and/or past COVID-19 exposure to determine if the guest can board the vessel.

Embarkation will be staggered. Check in and pre-boarding screening will happen at the port/terminal prior to boarding and all guests will be socially distanced during this process. Guests will not congregate in the lobby for check in

Windstar or port staff will assist in the staggered and socially distanced check-in process. Ship boarding times will be a range of hours, which will be communicated to the guests.

Embarkation will be staggered. Check in and pre-boarding screening will happen at the port/terminal prior to boarding and all guests will be socially distanced during this process. Guests will not congregate in the lobby for check in.

Windstar or port staff will assist in the staggered and socially distanced check-in process. Ship boarding times will be a range of hours, which will be communicated to the guests.

Guests will be checked for symptom history, cough, and/or difficulty breathing. Guests will be given the pre-screening questionnaire on the pier and a PCR test will be administered prior to sailing.

No, Windstar will not check temperatures during embarkation unless required by local health authorities.

Each cabin will have a PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) kit consisting of two masks per guest and a travel-size bottle of hand sanitizer. Additional masks and hand sanitizer will be available upon request

The muster drill will be operated in two sessions, and for sanitation purposes, guests will not be using life preservers during the drill.

Yes, Windstar has implemented a vaccine mandate until further notice, requiring all guests to be fully vaccinated with a current COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before embarkation. We also highly recommend you receive your booster for extra protection if you are eligible at least one week before you depart from home.

Windstar has made this decision based on our concern for the health and safety of for our guests, crew members and the communities we visit on our cruises.

Fully vaccinated means to have completed the prescribed quantity of injections and elapsed time according to the vaccination brand’s specifications. For example, Pfizer and Moderna both require two injections, Johnson and Johnson requires one injection. The typical guidance is full efficacy is reached 14 days after the applicable quantity of injections. Additional guidance can be found on the website under Health & Safety.

Windstar’s intent is for the crew to be vaccinated prior to boarding the ship. The majority of our crew are vaccinated. In the unlikely event a crew member is unable to source vaccine prior to traveling to the ship, we will test the crew member, isolate in a cabin for seven days, retest, and then work to secure a vaccination for them asap.

Yes, proof of vaccination will be required at check in on the pier. Proof includes the original vaccination record document issued by either (1) the country’s health authority that administered the vaccination (e.g., U.S. CDC's Vaccination Record Card) or (2) the guest's medical provider that administered the vaccination, or the appropriate documentation, such as a QR code document, that is issued by the public health authority in the nation of residence of the individual

Yes, since our itineraries navigate to many different countries with different regulations, it is Windstar’s policy that all guests and crew, regardless of vaccination, follow mask mandates.

Yes. Science shows that the vaccines significantly reduce the likelihood of getting COVID-19, but they do not reduce the risk 100%. Pre-embarkation testing will be required for the health and safety of our guests, crew members and the communities we visit on our cruises. (See Pre-Cruise section above.)

We are not currently making any exceptions to the vaccination policy. This group of guests would not be permitted to sail at this time.

We are not currently making any exceptions to the vaccination policy, and so unvaccinated children would not be permitted to sail at this time.

For guests not yet booked: the vaccination mandate is in effect until further notice; we will be happy to welcome these guests aboard when they are ready to sail with us and abide by this mandate.

For guests with existing bookings: these guests may take advantage of our TABP (Travel Assurance Booking Policy) policy or cancel according to our cancellation policy for their sailing dates to receive a refund.

No exceptions will be made for guests to be vaccinated. If the guest is unable to meet the requirement and it is within 60 days of the sailing then the TABP policy will apply.

Windstar will accept proof of vaccination for any vaccine that has been approved for use in the guest’s home country and accepted by the location the ship is sailing in

Guests will be allowed to embark if:

• they have a vaccine series completed at least 14 days prior to embarkation;
• their COVID-19 test at embarkation is negative; and
• they pass the pre-embarkation health screening (no symptom history, cough and/or difficultybreathing) and have not been identified as a close contact by another guest who tests positive on the pre-embarkation test.

Increased public area sanitation, additional hand sanitizer stations, EvaClean Electrostatic Misters, and use of UV-C Light Wands. In addition, all HVAC systems have been upgraded with UV-C sanitizing and HEPA filtering.

Public area common touch points will be sanitized four times daily (24 hour period) during normal operations. Public area common touchpoints will be sanitized continuously during times of high traffic. This includes embarkation, disembarkation, events, and meal times

Windstar will place hand sanitizer stations at the following locations: entrance to all venues, common areas, and gangway.

Hand sanitizer will be available at all venue entrances, including gangways and other locations on the ship. During specific periods, crewmembers will be at venue entrances encouraging guests to use hand sanitizer.

Windstar has added an additional crew position onboard to maintain our Beyond Ordinary Care-enhanced HVAC Systems

Yes, guests will be required to wear surgical quality masks when inside public venues, and outside whenever social distancing cannot be maintained. Notable exceptions include in cabins, while eating, and while swimming, spa treatments, in the sauna, steam rooms, and while using cardio equipment in the gym. Refusal to cooperate with this policy may result in early disembarkation.

No. We will take guests’ temperatures upon request by the guest and/or if required by local health authorities.

At this time, we are discouraging physical contact with non-affiliated parties onboard, including but not limited to handshakes, hugging and fist/elbow bumps. We have created a new “Windstar Wave” to help assist us in this goal onboard.

Yes! We will allow visits to the bridge with proper social distancing and masks required. Surf/Star Class ships will be allowed to have up to five people at a time, and the Wind Star/Wind Spirit will accept up to three people at a time

Yes, we will still operate both the Deck and Beach BBQ’s (where applicable) with self-service for food and beverage suspended until further notice.

Yes, we will operate the gym, spa, and fitness classes at reduced capacity. Enhanced cleaning protocols will be maintained, and social distancing will be expected

Yes, with social distancing measures and reduced capacity in place.

Yes, we will be offering room service as normal on all ships and guests are welcome and encouraged to dine in their rooms. The added option to pre-order room service will be available for the AmphorA dinner menu as well.

Yes, standard room services will apply with the appropriate safety and health precautions in place.

Yes, standard room amenities will be available in all cabins.

Windstar allows independent exploration ashore unless prohibited by the local government.

Tour buses and port shuttles will operate at reduced capacity in accordance with local area guidance and standards

Yes, tenders will operate at the reduced capacity required by the tender configuration to support social distancing. Due to overall reduced passenger capacity on board, Windstar does not expect this to drastically affect any timing details

Windstar Cruises will operate the Watersports Platform and equipment as usual with some changes to enhance guest and crew safety.  As has always been the practice on our yachts, guests will be able to check out a snorkel mask and fins for the whole cruise.

Windstar takes public health matters seriously. Refusal to comply with Windstar’s Beyond Ordinary Care policies before or during a cruise may result in denial of boarding or early disembarkation without refund or other compensation.

Windstar has a reliable PCR testing capability on its ships. Both standard PCR and RT-LAMP testing systems are available.  Also, all ships have antigen testing capabilities on board

Yes, Windstar has adjusted its stores of medication and medical supplies on all ships. We do recommend guests bring at least 14 additional days’ supply of any prescription medications. This is in addition to any prescription medications brought for their intended cruise vacation duration.

Yes. Windstar will offer disembarkation testing at a nominal charge using normally onboard antigen testing the day before disembarkation. Windstar will be unable to provide testing the day of disembarkation. Beginning Monday, December 6, 2021 (12:01 AM EST), all air passengers two years or older with a flight departing to the U.S. from a foreign country are required to show a negative COVID-19 viral test result taken no more than one day before travel, or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days, before they board their flight

Yes, Windstar now has a doctor and two nurses onboard each ship.

There are two approaches that will be used here.  First, we may ask guests to arrive at the ship with a negative PCR test in hand taken within 24 hours of departure.  If the destination requires a test to be taken during the cruise, Windstar will provide these tests to our guests, and this cost will be added to each guest’s shipboard account at $69 per antigen test and $135 per PCR test.

If a guest tests positive within the 48-hour TABP window, the guest should first file a claim through their Travel Protection plan, if purchased.  If a claim is denied, Guest Relations will review the situation with the guest directly and evaluate potential compensation of cruise fare in the form of a Future Cruise Credit.  All other claims will be reviewed by Guest Relations.

Guests testing positive at embarkation will be assisted to a hotel and/or medical facility as needed or required, and a Windstar staff member will stay in touch until guests are safely on their way home.  Guests should submit claims for reimbursement of cruise fares through their Travel Protection plan, if purchased. If a claim is denied, Windstar will refund cruise fares in the form of a Future Cruise Credit.  Any other claims will be reviewed by Guest Relations.

Close contacts of guests who test positive for COVID-19 during embarkation will be denied boarding. Windstar will coordinate with the local authorities and guidelines in place at the embarkation port. Windstar will provide assistance and coordinate with our ground operators in each region to ensure guests are informed of their options within the specific country.  All guests are encouraged to purchase a Travel Protection plan for their trip.  If a claim is denied, Windstar will refund cruise fares in the form of a Future Cruise Credit.  All other claims will be reviewed by Guest Relations.

Guests experiencing symptoms common to COVID-19 should isolate themselves in their cabins immediately and call the medical center in order to obtain a COVID-19 test. Identified close contacts will also be required to isolate in their cabins and be tested for Covid-19. Guests who test positive will remain isolated in their cabin along with any travel companions until they are able to safely disembark in coordination with local authorities and guidelines in place at the disembarkation port. Windstar will provide assistance and coordinate with our ground operators in each region to ensure guests are informed of their options within the specific country. Guests will be responsible for any costs related to their quarantine or isolation, such as hotel accommodations, food, beverage, and transportation.

All guests are encouraged to purchase a Travel Protection plan for their trip.  If a claim is denied, Windstar will refund cruise fares on a prorated basis in the form of a Future Cruise Credit.  All other claims will be reviewed by Guest Relations.

All guests are encouraged to purchase a Travel Protection plan for their trip.  If a claim is denied, Windstar will refund cruise fares on a prorated basis in the form of a Future Cruise Credit.

All Windstar ships are equipped with PCR and antigen testing capabilities.  The onboard Medical Centers contain the necessary equipment and medications to treat most acute illnesses and injuries.  If additional medical care is needed beyond the capabilities of the onboard Medical Center, evacuation to a shoreside medical facility will be coordinated.

Guests who test negative will be free to leave the ship at any time to return home if the cruise is cancelled. In most circumstances, guests can remain onboard for a day or two while they make alternative land and/or air reservations. Windstar will refund whatever portion of the cruise is unfulfilled. Guests will be responsible for any costs related to their alternative plans upon leaving the ship. In the event that Windstar must evacuate all guests immediately, Windstar will provide up to two nights’ accommodations to give guests time to make alternative travel arrangements.

Yes, all crew will be tested (with a negative result required) prior to departure from home, prior to their embarkation to their assigned ship, upon conclusion of a minimum 7-day quarantine, and on a weekly basis thereafter as required by current policy

Yes, crew will be required to wear face masks at all times, except when social distancing can be maintained or they are in their cabins, eating or drinking. Currently, all guest-facing crew members are required to double mask with a surgical quality mask under a cloth mask both indoors and outdoors at all times.

Yes, Windstar has always taken the lead in health and safety and we have implemented new training standards for all crew on board. In addition, we have created specific training for certain areas such as housekeeping, food and beverage teams and other guest facing positions