The cruise will soon be having fun again. From June 30, maritime and river escapades will be able to resume service, with a capacity of 100%. The health pass, in force from June 9 in France, will apply in particular to “cruises and passenger boats with accommodation over 1,000 passengers,” the government said. To be able to board the ships, a negative PCR test and / or a vaccination certificate will be required depending on the companies. Other health measures may apply, such as regular temperature control of passengers or the obligation to complete a medical questionnaire before boarding.
Itineraries, health protocols, commercial measures ... What is the pick-up program for the main cruise lines offering departures in France?
Le Figaro
takes stock.
Read also: Covid-19 and travel: what possible destinations for the French?
Our map, country by country
Ponant
Ponant will provide cruises along the Breton coast from July 2 from Saint-Malo.
Philip plisson
Which routes?
The only cruise line operating under the French flag, Ponant plans to resume its activities on June 16 in Iceland, with a first seven-night cruise aboard the Dumont-D'Urville departing from Reykjavik (eight cruises in total during the summer). On the Mediterranean side, 27 departures are scheduled between June and November with routes serving Italy, Croatia and the Cyclades archipelago in Greece. For Corsica, a weekly departure will be offered from August 15 to October 10 from Nice. The lighthouses and natural wonders of the Breton coast will also be in the spotlight with five departures in July and one in September from Saint-Malo.
What health protocol?
Passengers over 16 must be vaccinated to board.
The complete vaccination (one or two doses depending on the vaccines) must have been carried out more than seven days before boarding.
A negative PCR test performed at least 72 hours before departure will also be required.
What commercial conditions?
Cancellation conditions are relaxed for cruises booked before June 30.
Up to 30 days before departure, cruises can be postponed or canceled free of charge for any reason.
In the 30 days prior to departure, postponement or cancellation without charge is only possible in the event of a positive Covid test or in the absence of complete vaccination.
The reimbursement is made in the form of a credit note.
Read also: Summer vacation: rush in sight on PCR tests?
Club Med 2
From July 10, Club Med 2 will offer itineraries serving Corsica, the Côte d'Azur and the Occitanie coast.
Club Med
Which routes?
Club Med 2 will set sail again on Saturday July 10.
Reservations will be possible from this Thursday, May 27, date on which detailed itineraries are available on the clubmed.fr site.
The five-master will set off to explore the French coasts, in Corsica and along the Côte d'Azur and the coast of Occitania.
What health protocol?
Passengers over 11 years old must present upon boarding either a negative PCR or antigen test of less than 72 hours, or a vaccination certificate.
What trade measures?
The postponement and cancellation conditions are the same as those which apply to stays at a
resort
.
Modification free of charge is possible until the day of departure in the event of an unforeseen event related to Covid-19 (border closures, restrictions in the country of origin or destination, etc.).
In the event of a last minute cancellation related to the coronavirus (positive test by a member of the file within 48 hours of departure, etc.), the stay may be reimbursed by the Ecran total insurance taken out in advance.
Read also: It is "the free spirit" that Club Med is reopening its resorts in France and Europe
MSC Cruises
Which routes?
Every week from Sunday July 4, the MSC Seaside will take passengers to explore the Mediterranean from Marseille. On the program, stopovers in Taranto (Apulia), Syracuse (Sicily), Genoa, Rome and Valletta (Malta).
What health protocol?
To allow physical distancing, ships will only accommodate the equivalent of 70% of their capacity.
“The excursions are carried out in a 'protected' way, which means that the hosts do not come into contact with people who have not also been subjected to health and safety checks
,
”
emphasizes the MSC Cruises website. . In addition to the screening test performed upon boarding, passengers will be able to undergo a daily temperature check as well as additional screening during the cruise.
What trade measures?
For reservations made until July 31, 2021, postponement free of charge is possible up to 15 days before departure (for a departure before September 30, 2022 maximum) as part of a cruise only;
and 21 days as part of a flight & cruise package.
In the event of cancellation, the usual commercial conditions apply.
Read also: Ten things to know about MSC Grandiosa, Europe's largest cruise ship
Costa Cruises
From July 4, the Costa Smeralda will operate one cruise per week departing from Marseille with stops in Spain and Italy.
Costa Cruises
Which routes?
Every week from July 4, the Costa Smeralda will leave Marseille, direction Spain and Italy.
The eight-day, seven-night itinerary will include stops in Barcelona, Palma, Messina, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Savona.
What health protocol?
Prior to the cruise, passengers check in online and get a terminal meeting time to stagger arrivals.
They must undergo an antigen test at the boarding terminal which must be negative to be able to board.
What trade measures?
For bookings made between September 29, 2020 and May 31, 2021, Costa Cruises offers postponement or cancellation free of charge up to 15 days before departure.
In the event of cancellation, the company offers a choice of a credit note valid for twelve months or a cash refund.
Read also: Health and travel pass: everything you need to know
CroisiEurope
The MS Cyrano de Bergerac sails between the Gironde, the Garonne and the Dordogne.
Gregory Gerault
Which routes?
After the Douro (Portugal) and Croatia at the beginning of June, CroisiEurope, specialist in cruises on the rivers and canals of Europe, will resume its activity in France on June 30 for the itineraries on the Gironde and the Seine, on July 2 on the Rhine and the canals of France and July 3 on the Rhône.
What health protocol?
When boarding, passengers must present the negative results of an antigen or PCR test or a certificate of vaccination.
The temperature is taken systematically before boarding.
What trade measures?
For bookings made until May 31, CroisiEurope offers free postponement up to 30 days before departure.
Within 30 days of departure, the postponement free of charge is only possible for passengers who test positive for Covid-19.
In all cases, the usual conditions of sale apply in the event of cancellation by the passenger.
Read also: Calanques, gorges of the Ardèche ... These corners of France that will be saturated this summer (and our alternatives)
