COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
YOUR COVID-19 TRAVEL QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Precautions, requirements and other considerations when you travel with Kosher River Cruises
As the world begins to open up and we can travel again, Kosher River Cruises understands that you may have a lot of questions. We have compiled a list of answers to the most frequently asked questions we have received to help you feel informed and confident when booking and traveling with Kosher River Cruises. We are continually updating this page so that you have the most relevant information.
IMPORTANT
All guests on Kosher River Cruises until further notice, are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel (as documented since Jan 1, 2020 on the kosherrivercruise.com Health & Safety protocols page). Upon embarkation, all guests will be asked to present their original COVID-19 vaccination record, showing completion of an approved vaccination, with the final dose administered no less than two weeks prior to embarkation. Young children who are not eligible to be vaccinated based on their age will be exempt from this vaccination requirement, however, they will be asked to provide a negative PCR or Antigen test result taken within 72 hours of embarkation.
All guests traveling with Kosher River Cruises and its Cruise Partners are also required to follow the entry requirements specified by each country visited along their itinerary—by river, land or rail.
Travel Requirements (button) & Entry guidelines for travel to each destination can be found on our websites Health & Safety Protocols page and guests are responsible for ensuring they meet the travel entry requirements of each country visited during their river cruise.
If COVID-19 testing is required by a destination during the cruise, our cruise partners onboard team will help facilitate testing with as little impact as possible to the guest experience.
We will maintain our enhanced hygiene protocols onboard—for our guests and our team members. Our cruise partners crew will continue to wear masks and we encourage our guests to wear a mask while in public areas onboard. More information can be found in the FAQ section below.
COVID-19 FAQS: BEFORE YOUR CRUISE
Will I need to have had the COVID-19 vaccination to be allowed to travel with Kosher River Cruises?
All guests on Kosher River Cruises are currently required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel and will be required to follow the entry requirements specified by each country visited along their itinerary—by river, land, or rail. Young children who are not eligible to be vaccinated based on their age will be exempt from this vaccination requirement, however, they will be asked to provide a negative PCR or Antigen test result taken within 72 hours of embarkation.
What are the entry requirements for the countries I will visit?
Please note that guests will need to comply with any specific requirements imposed by airlines and/or governments, which may differ from the above and may include proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.
All guests should follow the entry guidelines for travel to your destination which can be found on our Health & Safety Protocols page. Your airline may have additional requirements and should be consulted as well.
How can I show you that I have been vaccinated?
Guests on Kosher River Cruises cruise/tours will be asked to present their original COVID-19 vaccination record to show full (original) vaccination series (not boosters), with the final dose administered no less than two weeks prior to embarkation.
As individual cities, countries and onshore venues may also require proof of vaccination at any point during the trip, we highly recommend taking a picture of any paper vaccination record in case of loss of the original and bring any digital records that you may have been issued.
Please note that guests will also need to comply with any specific requirements imposed by airlines and/or governments, which may differ from the vaccine requirements listed above and may include proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. There are several resources available to help find this information, including the official government website for each country and the Health & Safety Protocols page of the Kosher River Cruises website.
Will Kosher River Cruises and its Cruise Partners be assisting with any mandatory testing required prior to, during or post cruise?
Any testing that is required prior to the start of the Kosher River Cruises will be the responsibility of the guest.
If COVID-19 testing is required by a destination during the cruise or for re-entry to a guest’s home country, our cruise partners onboard team will help facilitate recommendations for testing.
It is the responsibility of the guest to make sure they understand the specific requirements of the countries they will be visiting prior to their trip. There are several resources available to help find this information, including the official government website for each country as well as the Health & Safety Protocols page of the Kosher River Cruises website.
What happens if someone on my cruise gets sick?
If a guest gets sick while traveling with Kosher River Cruises; our cruise partners/cruising company will make decisions and will need to evaluate the situation on a case-by-case basis and follow the advice of local government and health authorities. they will keep our guests informed and facilitate any required isolation or testing, as well as any needed medical assistance. Guests who disembark to isolate will be provided with information regarding local regulations and other resources, and we will maintain contact with them until they depart for their flight home.
We strongly encourage our guests to obtain travel insurance to cover situations like these. Learn about our Travel Protection Plans here.
What happens if my destination still has travel restrictions by the departure date of my cruise?
In the event that this happens, we will reach out to impacted guests in advance of their cruise to assist in changing their travel plans.
In the current environment, travel requirements by country are fluid and can change at any time. It is important for guests to make sure they understand the specific requirements of the countries they are traveling to prior to their trip. There are several resources available to help find this information, including the official government website for each country as well as the Health & Safety Protocols page of the Kosher River Cruises website.
In addition to vaccination and/or testing, what extra steps do I need to take prior to traveling?
We ask that guests adopt the physical distancing and hygiene best practices as required by their country/state of origin prior to their trip. All guests will also be required to complete Cruise Partners/cruise company Travel Declaration prior to embarkation.
COVID-19 FAQS: DURING YOUR CRUISE
What health and safety protocols do I need to follow onboard?
Guests will be asked to follow all health instructions—whether noted in physical signage or requested from the crew. Our expanded COVID-19 protocols for guests include but are not limited to the following*:
- All guests must complete a Travel Declaration prior to embarkation.
- All guests are asked to sanitize their hands when entering public spaces, when coming back onboard the ship each day, and before each meal.
- Any onboard payments are processed using a contactless payment method and credit card machines will be wiped after each PIN entry.
PLEASE NOTE: While we believe these protocols to be the appropriate steps in protecting the well-being of our guests and crew, we will continue to monitor the COVID-19 response globally and will update our protocols accordingly and in the best interest of our guests and crew.
*Health and safety features may vary on ships as they are not owned and operated by Kosher River Cruises. Nonetheless, our cruise partners do adhere to high standards for sanitation and safety.
Will I need to wear a mask during the cruise?
We encourage all guests to wear a mask while in public areas onboard, especially when distancing cannot be maintained. Local regulations may require the use of masks in all public areas onboard, however masks can be removed when eating or drinking in the lounge and restaurant. While onshore, all guests and crew are subject to local mask guidelines. In some locations a high-rated respirator mask such as FFP2, N95/99, or KN95 may be required. Please pack any personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitizers that you require.
Will I need to wear a mask while on the motorcoach (bus)?
We encourage all guests to wear a mask while traveling on motorcoaches. Depending on the location, masks may be required by local regulations.
How will the ship be kept clean and made to ensure it is germ-free?
Housekeeping staff disinfect all public area touch points and hot spots throughout the day, including all handrails and door handles. All staterooms and suites are thoroughly cleaned on a daily basis and air-conditioning filters are cleaned and disinfected on each embarkation day before rooming takes place.
Additionally, many of our cruise partners have added advanced air filtration systems to the restaurants and lounges.
How will Kosher River Cruises and its Cruise Partners look after my health and safety onshore?
In addition to closely vetting all of our onshore partners to make sure they follow our strict standards; we require all buses to be cleaned and wiped with disinfectant before each use. Your personal Vox boxes are also sanitized prior to embarkation and after each excursion.
How will luggage be handled to avoid cross-contamination?
Crew wash their hands frequently when handling guest luggage. Disembarkation luggage is kept separate from embarkation luggage to avoid cross-contamination.
What health and safety protocols will the crew be following onboard?
Most of our cruise partners crew receives professional health and hygiene training (HACCP) by an external consultant before each ship begins its sailing season, including training on how to look for symptoms. Crew members strictly adhere to social distancing requirements, are required to wear masks at all times and wash and sanitize their hands frequently. Hand sanitizer is readily available and mandated for use in all crew areas.
For the safety of the crew and guests, all partner cruise company crew undergo regular health screenings and temperature checks and are quarantined immediately if symptoms are present. Crew quarters are sanitized regularly.
Will I be refunded for missed inclusions?
Please be assured that we are a responsible and conscientious cruise line with a reputation for providing incredible experiences for our guests. While some inclusions may be subject to change or closures, wherever possible we will find alternative solutions to ensure our guests’ experience is still a remarkable one.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND COVID-19
Our cruise partners have introduced enhanced hygiene protocols—for you, our other guests and our team members. More information can be found above.
An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the U.S. State Department and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), senior citizens and people with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.
Kosher River Cruises and its Cruise Partners requires all guests to follow the entry requirements specified by each country visited along the entirety of their trip (river cruise, land stay and/or rail), which may include COVID-19 vaccination, booster shots, and/or a negative COVID-19 test from a recognized lab.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you always comply with these requirements. No refunds will be given if you are unable to undertake some or all of your trip (river cruise, land stay and/or rail) due to your failure to comply with these requirements.
Should you become ill while traveling with Kosher River Cruises and its Cruise Partners you will be responsible for any costs associated with your illness such as medical care, quarantine accommodations, changes to airfare, and other travel expenses. Please ensure that your travel insurance covers these expenses, along with the cost of any missed portions of your trip, as they are your responsibility.
We ask that you please take personal responsibility for your well-being. This begins with packing any personal protective equipment and sanitizers you require.
In choosing to travel with Kosher River Cruises, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. Full details of hygiene protocols can be found above.
Let’s help keep each other safe and healthy.
Testimonials
What People are Saying
“A Great Find”
“Outstanding experience in a wonderful religious environment viewing centuries of Jewish history”
Max B
“Fabulous & flawless service”
“I have been totally spoiled for future vacations. Riverboat is the way to go. I’ve met such nice people, staff was great, food fantastic. A really well run and well thought out trip”
Harriet S
“Another successful experience”
“Our experience was unique in that we were able to tour a lot of territory and a variety of places with minimal inconvenience. The fact that our boat was always with us and there were no long bus rides or waits made this mode of travel extremely enjoyable.”
Micheol R
“Speechless”
“It was important that the Kosher River Cruise director was always with us and was ready and willing to make adjustments along the way to keep everything moving smoothly. I would highly recommend Kosher River Cruises and this river cruise as an exceptional vacation experience.” “
Elaine R
Connect With Us
Call Us: USA +1 310-237-0122
Call Us Toll Free USA: 800-923-2645
WhatsApp SMS: +1 (206)-536-3150
Office hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm PST
Israel: 052 836 2661
United Kingdom: 020 3393 6823
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