Vaccination

1. - Must I get vaccinated if I had COVID-19 and recovered? Yes, guidance from federal and state government is clear on this. 

2. - Are minors, 17 and under, permitted to join the cruise without a vaccination? Yes, there is considerable data that indicates that minors are more resilient to COVID-19. The number of minors is capped at a low percentage of people onboard.  

3. - I have a religious objection to vaccination, will I be allowed aboard with a negative COVID-19 test, only? No, vaccination is required for adults this summer and fall. We suggest that traveling in 2022 may be a better option for guests who are not taking the vaccine. 

4. - I have a Medical condition that prevents me from being vaccinated. Will I be allowed aboard with a negative COVID-19 test, only? No, vaccination is required for adults this summer and fall. We suggest that traveling in 2022 may be a better option for guests who are not taking the vaccine. 

5. - Will I need a vaccination to cruise in 2022? This question is asked world-wide, with no definitive answer, yet. However, recent indications from professionals indicate that once herd immunity is reached, the need for vaccination may change. We will follow the best scientific guidance that is available at that time.  

Testing for COVID-19 

1. - Why are guests required to have a negative COVID-19 molecular test result, 4-days prior to departure? While vaccinated individuals have far less risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19, it is believed that they may carry the illness. Vaccination combined with a molecular test reduces risk for everyone onboard.  

2. - Do I need to have a COVID-19 vaccination prior to cruising? What documents will you accept as proof of vaccination? Yes, all guests will be required to be fully vaccinated prior to boarding our vessels. Guests will be required to submit proof of vaccination in the form of an original vaccination record issued by the country's health authority administering the vaccination or by your medical provider who administered the vaccination.  This will need to be in the form of an original document or electronic record only from residents where electronic records are the standard documentation such as a QR code.

3. - Are minors, 17 and under, required to have a negative COVID-19 molecular test result, 4-days prior to departure? Yes 

4. - What will happen if a person tests positive for COVID-19 while traveling before embarkation? Boarding will be denied. Guest should have results from the 4-day pre-departure molecular test before departing home. For example, take the test on Tuesday morning for boarding on Saturday. Guests who find themselves in this situation will be given the opportunity to travel later in the summer or in 2022 based on availability.

5. - I cannot find a local molecular COVID-19 test that returns results in a timely manner. We have had good fortune with Vault at home testing at Vault Health. Details on COVID-19 molecular testing, in Alaska, Washington and Oregon, can be found below this section under Coronavirus resources.

6. - I am traveling in Alaska prior to my UnCruise. Where do I get my COIVD-19 molecular test prior to boarding day? Using testing facilities available within Alaska is the best choice. Testing in Anchorage is easy to do. On a limited basis, with prior coordination, UnCruise may accomplish a small number of rapid molecular tests on the day of embarkation. Also, purchasing a Vault testing kit prior to departure from home, and then sending your sample in from Anchorage or Fairbanks is a good option. https://www.vaulthealth.com/covid. Details on COVID-19 molecular testing, in Alaska, Washington and Oregon, can be found below this section under Coronavirus resources.

7. - Does Alaska, Washington or Oregon require testing or vaccination to enter these states? No, currently these states do not have a testing or vaccination requirement for entry. However, Alaska advises (but does not require) travelers to take a 72-hour pre-departure test. 

8. - Antigen screening was in your last policy update, why has it been removed? This screening has minimal value on a vaccinated cruise. However, we do carry rapid molecular test kits and analyzers aboard each vessel. This is the gold standard in COVID-19 testing. 

9. - Why do you have a COVID-19 service charge on a vaccinated cruise? UnCruise has made considerable investment to operate our adventure cruises at an elevated level of safety. The primary expense is for rapid molecular test kits and analyzers on our vessels. This and many other COVID related enhancements, including greater crew to guest ratios, add a considerable amount to the cost of operations. 

Life on our Adventure Boats 

1. - UnCruise is no longer requiring daily temperatures checks, why? Body temperature provides minimal value in determining if someone has COVID-19. However, we do carry rapid molecular test kits and analyzers aboard each vessel. This is the gold standard in COVID-19 testing. 

2. - Why have you added back port calls in Port Angeles, Ketchikan, and Sitka? With the change to vaccinated cruises, the risk to our guests and the community is reduced. We feel comfortable in adding these ports back to our routes. 

3. - What will happen if a vaccinated person tests positive for COVID-19 onboard the boat? The individual will be isolated in their cabin along with any others that test positive. Medical authorities will be contacted and advised on the condition of the guest (s). Due to vaccination, the person may be allowed to stay aboard in isolation or more likely will be transported to isolation ashore, based on a professional’s direction.  

4. - Why are masks required on the vessels interior when this is a vaccinated cruise? Currently, the US federal government includes our boats as part of transportation infrastructure, just like an airliner. Recently, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) came out with encouraging guidance for people that have had full vaccinations and how mask use may be relaxed. We are hopeful that this updated guidance will soon apply to our vessels. We are engaging Federal Authorities on this subject. 

5. - Is UnCruise operating at reduced capacity? Yes, guest cabins have been set aside to provide more open crew areas and provide for quarantine space, if needed.