Covid Policy FAQs

• Book Refundable Air Tickets
  We continue to monitor evolving international travel regulations. We will update you as soon as we have more definite information. In the interim, we recommend that you wait until closer to departure to book your flights and any land arrangements. If you do choose to book earlier, we recommend making sure all arrangements are fully refundable.

• Get Vaccinated!
  Before you arrive, we will require proof of vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine approved by your national health authority. We understand that you may have questions regarding COVID-19 vaccines. For the most up-to-date factual information, we recommend consulting your medical provider.  Additionally, both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) have extensive vaccine facts and resources. To minimize confusion in consideration of COVID issues, we also recommend that you receive an influenza vaccination (flu vaccine) before you leave.

• Stay Informed
  Keep your eye on any government or airline recommendations or mandates that may impact your trip. We will do our best to inform booked guests of any government or major airline mandates that will be in place at time of travel, but monitoring the status of travel in your own country is always recommended.

• Get Tested!
  Regardless of when you arrive in country, you will need to take a PCR test 3 to 5 days prior to joining the group on Day 1 of the itinerary, and submit your negative test result no later than 2 days prior to joining the group.

Yes.  All passengers, staff, and crew will be required to receive the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by your national health authority. Your final dose must be at least two weeks prior to departure. This includes children under the age of 12.

We understand that there may be people for whom a COVID-19 vaccine is not medically approved. Currently this includes children under the age of 12. Vaccine technology and eligibility is constantly evolving, and we encourage you to monitor the situation in your country. If you or your children are still unable to access an approved vaccine prior to final payment, please contact us to discuss your options.

Yes. We will require all passengers to be tested 3-5 days prior to joining the group on Day 1 of the itinerary. In addition, we will test all passengers prior to embarkation, and then once more on board several days after embarkation. We may also conduct random testing during the course of your voyage if need arises.

Be aware that there may be additional testing requirements imposed by your local government, airline, or regulatory agency prior to leaving your home country, or by the gateway country upon your arrival. Please be sure to fully understand and comply with all testing mandates. Polar Latitudes will provide pre-embarkation testing in your gateway city, as well as onboard testing when necessary.  Any test required by your airline or local government is your responsibility. We will provide as much information as possible to assist you in locating the testing resources you need.

If you are denied travel or boarding due to a positive COVID test result, we will issue a full credit of funds received to be used through the 23-24 season.

If we are forced to postpone any voyage for COVID-19-related reasons, we will issue a full credit at 120% of the value of funds received to be used through the 23-24 season. Any credit issued is fully transferable to new bookings.

If you are on a charter voyage or special interest voyage charter, please refer to your individual terms and conditions sent out during the booking process via your booking agent.

We understand there are still a lot of unknowns, so we have instituted new, more flexible payment terms for the 21-22 season. Final payments for all departures in 21-22 are now due 90 days prior to departure. Reservation changes can be made up to 30 days prior to departure onto any other voyage at currently posted rates with no change fee, you just pay any difference in fare. Within 30 days of departure, we will issue a 50% credit of monies received to be used through the 23-24 season. Please contact us to discuss your options.

After submitting your negative PCR test taken 3-5 days prior to arrival, you will be tested again by Polar Latitudes staff upon arrival at your hotel.  Specific hotel testing procedures will be given prior to departure.  Arrival testing will be done via rapid Antigen testing for low-risk individuals, and PCR-like testing for higher risk individuals. Masking and distance precautions will be in place.

You will be tested again on Day 3 of your voyage.  Once this onboard testing is complete, we anticipate being able to relax masking and distance requirements for the remainder of the voyage. However, we will follow all government regulations regarding masking on board the ship.

Yes, we expect to still be able to transfer you from the airport on bigger vehicles with reduced capacity. Passengers will be required to wear masks in the van.

We anticipate that our vaccine requirement, in addition to our pre-screening and testing procedure will eliminate your need to quarantine on arrival.  However, we are closely monitoring government guidelines and will follow all mandates in force at the time of arrival.

We expect to be operating at some level of reduced capacity to allow for more spacing throughout the ships, although we do not yet know what that level will be. We are closely monitoring the appropriate regulatory agencies for their guidelines.

Yes. 100% of staff and crew on board are required to be fully vaccinated.

Masks may be required for the first few days on board until all passengers have received a third negative COVID-19 test administered by our medical team. Passengers will not be required to wear a mask while dining or on the outdoor decks, unless when loading and unloading Zodiacs. This may change as guidelines and regulations dictate.

Yes. Our ships will be fully stocked with Personal Protective Equipment, including masks, in the event that they are needed by any passengers, crew, or staff. For your own comfort, we encourage you to bring an ample supply of the masks that work best for you.

All cabins and common areas are thoroughly cleaned daily. Tables and chairs are wiped down in between each seating in the presentation lounge and dining room. Handrails in hallways are also wiped down frequently. In addition, there are ample hand-sanitizing stations throughout all decks of the ships, and all guests are required to sanitize their hands prior to entering the dining room.

Yes. We expect to be able to allow use of the fitness center, sauna, and pool with strict protocols in place, including advanced reservations, and limited to one family or group of friends at a time.

Dining procedures will look a little different this season. All dining will be table service and servers may wear masks. With multiple dining locations on Seaventure, including outdoor dining when weather permits, there will be plenty of space for appropriately distanced tables.

Yes, we anticipate being able to accommodate single shares. Our vaccine requirement, in addition to our pre-screening and testing procedures prior to boarding the ship will greatly limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission between shares.

Seaventure has an upgraded ventilation system that brings fresh, pre-heated air from the outdoors into all cabins and public spaces.  It is designed so that each cabin has its own individual air flow and there is NO air circulated between cabins. All filters within the system will be changed every 10-14 days with HEPA level filtration.

While we are confident our SHIELD program is sufficient to keep any virus off the ship, we are also committed to being prepared in the very unlikely event that it does. Our ships will have dedicated isolation cabins and our medical clinic will be stocked with readily available PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), all currently available testing and treatment materials, and adequate oxygen supplies.

COVID-19-positive individuals and anyone exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 will be tested and treated as necessary by our Emergency-certified medical staff, and remaining guests will be kept separated until full-ship rapid testing can be done. Any positive COVID tests must be reported to the appropriate government authorities, who have the ultimate say in how we proceed. In every situation we are committed to the health and safety of everyone on board and will follow the recommendations of our medical director.