Windstar Cruises Health & Safety Protocols
Beginning June 1, 2023, Windstar will no longer require guests be vaccinated for COVID-19. Crew will continue to be vaccinated. Windstar follows policies in place in each destination.
Masks: Currently, masks for guests are optional in all sailing areas.
Beyond Ordinary Care
Here at Windstar Cruises, the health and safety of everyone on board is a top priority. The Beyond Ordinary Care program is a multi-layered strategy with key hospital-grade elements: HEPA filters and UV-C ultraviolet germicidal irradiation to filter and disinfect the air, plus electrostatic sprayers to sanitize all surfaces throughout the yacht.
Windstar has made a multi-million dollar investment in the fleet in an effort to provide a healthy environment while sailing on a Windstar yacht. Hospital grade high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filters along with a UV-C air zapping process (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) have been installed on board all Windstar yachts.
The Beyond Ordinary Care program was developed with consultation and review by the Senior Medical Director in the UC Health Infection Control and Prevention Department at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and implements a rigorous multi-layered approach of science-led best practices aimed at keeping everyone aboard healthy.
Clean Air
- HEPA filters and UV-C lights added to HVAC systems on all yachts in a multi-million dollar investment.
- Hospital grade UV-C light has been previously proven to kill coronaviruses, along with other microbes like mold, bacteria and fungi.
- After moving through the HEPA filter, the air is zapped by the light and any microbes not caught in the filter are destroyed.
- Hospitals use this same process to ensure clean air in their rooms
- All yachts will have these significant upgrades completed to their HVAC systems prior to sailing.
Enhanced Cleaning
- Increased public area sanitation: Two times daily on common touch points; continuously in high-traffic areas.
- Additional hand sanitizer stations placed around the yacht.
- Evaclean Electrostatic Misters will be used to sanitize spaces.
Health Screening Embarkation
- All guests will fill out a health questionnaire during the boarding process.
- Secondary screening may be required
COVID-19 Testing Test Policies
- Guests are required to understand and comply with testing requirements of countries visited on their trip (Check CIBT Entry Guide) and airline policies.
Medical Staff & Care
- Ships are staffed with a doctor and nurse
- Staff and crew wear masks as needed and undergo COVID-19 specific training
- Ability to care for and treat guests if they become ill
- Ability to administer COVID-19 tests aboard all yachts
- Windstar's crew is 100% vaccinated. The majority of the crew have also received boosters.
- Crew are tested as needed
- Crew will wear face masks when required by a country or as needed on board
