Barbados Streamlines Port Entry Protocols

Barbados Bathsheba Beach
Credit: Visit Barbados

(PRESS RELEASE)_St. Michael, Barbados – (January 7, 2022) – The island of Barbados has announced streamlined port entry protocols that will enable visitors to continue experiencing the destination safely and responsibly. Travel advisors can invite their clients to enjoy all that the island has to offer in the new year, basking in the beauty and rich culture of Barbados through tours and shore excursions beyond just their cruise ship.
 In keeping with updated guidelines put forth by Barbados’ Ministry of Health and Wellness, the following protocols have been established and were shared today:

 Embarkation
The Barbados Ministry of Health and Wellness requires each cruise line to conduct health assessments of travelers prior to embarkation, which includes questions to identify symptoms that indicate a traveler’s health status.

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Transit Calls and Shore Excursions

Travelers arriving on transit calls must have embarked at the respective homeport with a valid negative Standard, Rapid PCR or Antigen test taken within 3 days. Guests will only be permitted to disembark and take “bubble excursions” as defined below:

1. Tours approved for sale by tour operators as authorized by cruise lines.

2. Tours approved for sale by independent tour operators and taxi operators as authorized by the Government of Barbados following the appropriate health and security requirements.
 
Guests using option 2 must take approved taxis dispatched from secure designated taxi facilities within the Bridgetown Port or must have a pre-booked tour confirmed by email from an approved tour operator for pick up in the Bridgetown Port.

Fully vaccinated guests arriving into Barbados with a negative Antigen test taken within 3 days of arrival will be permitted free shore leave.

 Disembarkation (Island Stays)
Guests disembarking and staying on-island for a post-cruise stay will be required to present a negative standard or rapid PCR test before unrestricted access to the destination is permitted. Post-cruise guests may be swabbed onboard their cruise ship or at the Bridgetown Port and may then proceed to their accommodations to await test results. If available, guests may proceed directly to their accommodations to be tested there and await the results.

Vaccination Status
Travelers will be considered fully vaccinated if they have completed a full regimen of vaccines for any of the Ministry of Health and Wellness approved COVID-19 vaccinations, at least 14 days prior to travel to Barbados. Approved vaccines are AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Sputnik V.

A popular port of call in the Eastern Caribbean, The Port of Bridgetown is at the heart of the island's cruise tourism. Barbados welcomes approximately 800,000 cruise visitors annually and welcomes more than 25 cruise lines including Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises. From discovering the heritage behind crafting fine rum to sampling island eats off the beaten path, cruise travelers visiting Barbados can enjoy the island’s thrilling attractions and experience the warmth of the locals, making Barbados an unforgettable adventure on any cruise itinerary.

Barbados is excited to introduce this simplified process, giving travel advisors yet another reason to recommend the island to their clients, providing yet another safe, unforgettable vacation destination that helps drive leads, bookings and revenue in the new year.  Travel advisors are encouraged to brief clients on these protocols during the booking process.

For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, follow on Instagram @visitbarbados, Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados, and via Twitter @Barbados.