The Bahamas has changed requirements for entry into the country and travel between the islands effective on Friday, August 6, with rules that apply to both cruise passengers and travelers arriving by air.
All fully vaccinated travelers and children ages two to 11 years old must test negative for COVID-19 no more than five days prior to arrival. This same rule applies to unvaccinated individuals 12 years and older.
Cruise passengers must still apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa and follow the rules for entry into the island nation. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated cruise passengers must also test negative for COVID-19 within five days of entry into the country.
To travel between the islands in the Bahamas, like Grand Bahama, Nassau, Bimini, Exuma and others, fully vaccinated individuals and children from two to 11 must also test negative within five days of travel. This is the same for unvaccinated individuals age 12 and older.
These rules are for all travelers who apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa beginning Friday, August 6. Those who have already applied and obtained their Bahamas Travel Health Visa will not have to adhere to these new entry requirements.
Cruising returned to the Bahamas in late June, after sixteen months of halted sailings due to the pandemic. Back in May, the islands had allowed vaccinated travelers to enter without having to test negative for COVID-19. It is possible that the restrictions are tightening once again to help prevent the spread of the Delta variant.
Royal Caribbean cruise line is bringing its cruises back to the port of Baltimore this month of May in anticipation that crews will will re-open a channel blocked since the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March.
The cruise line's Vision of the Seas will leave the Cruise Maryland Terminal on May 25 for a five-night trip to Bermuda, the Port of Baltimore said Wednesday. Cruises returning to Baltimore come as bridge cleanup crews work to reopen a 700-foot-wide channel by the end of May.
Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line were on voyages out of Baltimore when the March 26 collapse occurred. Carnival temporarily moved operations to Norfolk, Virginia, and arranged travel back to Baltimore for the March passengers.
Carnival has not officially announced plans for its Baltimore return but told WMAR-TV last week that it plans to depart from Norfolk on May 19 and expects to conclude the voyage in Baltimore.