Is San Juan Allowing Cruise Ships?

By Alice Nichols

San Juan, the beautiful capital city of Puerto Rico, has long been a popular stop for cruise ships. However, with the current global pandemic situation, there has been much confusion and uncertainty regarding the status of cruise ship operations in the city. In this article, we will explore whether San Juan is currently allowing cruise ships to dock and what guidelines have been put in place to ensure the safety of both tourists and locals.

Current Status

As of October 2021, San Juan is indeed allowing cruise ships to dock at its port. The city has been actively working towards reviving its tourism industry, which was severely impacted by the pandemic. Several major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival have resumed operations that include San Juan as one of their ports of call.

Guidelines for Cruise Ships

While San Juan is allowing cruise ships to dock, there are several guidelines that have been put in place to ensure safety amidst the ongoing pandemic. These guidelines include:

Vaccination Requirements

All passengers and crew members are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before they can board any ship entering San Juan’s port. This requirement is in line with CDC guidelines and aims to reduce the risk of transmission within the local community.

Health Screenings

Passengers and crew members must undergo health screenings before boarding any ship entering San Juan’s port. This includes temperature checks and symptom screenings for COVID-19.

Masks Requirements

Masks must be worn by all passengers and crew members while aboard any ship entering San Juan’s port. Additionally, masks are required in all indoor public spaces within the city limits.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there was some uncertainty regarding whether San Juan was allowing cruise ships amidst the pandemic situation, it is now clear that they are welcoming them back. However, several guidelines have been put in place to ensure the safety of both tourists and locals. By adhering to these guidelines, San Juan hopes to revive its tourism industry while keeping the community safe from COVID-19.