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REVISED Natural Disaster Alert – Royal Caribbean Cruises Offers Transit Opportunity from St. Vincent
U.S. Embassy Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
15 MINUTE READ
April 14, 2021

Natural Disaster Alert Barbados Webpage - Transit

Location: St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Event:  The U.S. Embassy is coordinating with Royal Caribbean Cruises for a transit opportunity for U.S. citizens who wish to depart St. Vincent on Friday, 16 April to Dutch Sint Maarten.  Boarding on the Celebrity Reflection will begin at 7:00 A.M. and will depart Kingstown Port, St. Vincent at 1:00 P.M.  The ship will arrive in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten on the morning of Saturday, 17 April at approximately 7:00 A.M.  CDC recommends against travel on cruise ships because the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is higher since the virus appears to spread more easily between people in close quarters aboard ships.  See link to CDC guidance below.

There is no cost or travel fare for the ship’s voyage.  However, U.S. citizens will be responsible for making their own onward travel arrangements.  Please plan accordingly, including potential hotel stays in Sint Maarten and booking onward commercial airline flights from the Sint Maarten Princess Juliana International Airport which offers direct flight to multiple U.S. cities.

U.S. citizens who decide not to depart St. Vincent should be prepared to shelter in place for an undetermined amount of time.  There are currently no future plans for other transit opportunities.

Actions to Take:

Please register online by completing the U.S. Mission Bridgetown and the Eastern Caribbean – Manifest Form.  The deadline to register is Thursday, April 15 at 12:00pm noon. 

Travel Restrictions:

  • No children under the age of six months.
  • No pregnant women over 23 weeks of gestation.
  • No individuals requiring dialysis.
  • No individuals with terminal conditions.
  • No individuals who have been identified as close contacts of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case.
  • No pets allowed.

Travel Requirements:

  • All departing passengers 2 years of age and older are required to have a negative COVID Antigen Rapid Test (taken within 24 hours of boarding).  A printed copy of your negative test results will be required prior to boarding the cruise ship.  A testing center, Health Solutions Inc., is located near the seaport in St. Vincent.  Call to arrange an appointment for testing (Ph: 1-784-451-2836).  Cost is $160EC/$60USD.
  • All passengers are required to complete a health questionnaire prior to boarding.  The ship will have the form available at the pier.
  • Travelers are required to complete an online immigration (ED) card prior to travel to Sint Maarten (https://stmaartenhas.com).
  • Travelers are required to purchase mandatory COVID-19 health insurance prior to travel to Sint Maarten (https://www.sxmprotectionplan.com).
  • All airline passengers to the U.S. ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 test (either PCR or Rapid Antigen) taken within three calendar days of travel.  Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

Important Travel Information:

Assistance:

  • U.S. Embassy Bridgetown, Barbados

Phone number: +1 246-227-4000

Email address:  BridgetownACS@state.gov

Embassy website:  https://bb.usembassy.gov