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The popular Caribbean islands of St. Kitts and Nevis have removed some of their travel restrictions for fully vaccinated travelers. The move comes as many other countries around the world are doubling down on their restrictions following the spread of the Omicron variant, and should cement the Caribbean as a destination that is a more attractive alternative than Europe for travelers from the US.
One particular group of travelers that the latest announcement is bound to appeal to is cruise enthusiasts. Cruises around the Caribbean remain a popular choice for many travelers following the restart of the cruise industry, and St. Kitts and Nevis features heavily on the itineraries of several different cruise lines. Here’s a look at the travel restriction changes the country has made, which cruises will be heading there and why travelers should consider a trip to the islands.
Travel Restrictions Eased – What Travelers Should Know
With its lively local culture, gorgeous beaches and typical Caribbean island vibes, St. Kitts and Nevis might not be the most popular Caribbean destination for travelers, but there’s an argument to be made that it should be. Whilst travel to the islands for unvaccinated travelers isn’t possible at present, St. Kitts and Nevis has long since been accepting fully vaccinated arrivals – and it’s about to get much easier to visit.
On December 11th, the country altered their travel restrictions, making visiting the island a more attractive and much easier proposition for travelers. When visiting, travelers will no longer have to take the mandatory PCR test upon arrival – and they can also skip the 24-hour quarantine period that was once a mandatory requirement for entry. Travelers will also have more freedom to explore the islands, and are able to move between both St. Kitts and Nevis and stay in various hotels.
Whilst the above moves are positive ones for travelers, the islands also added a vaccination requirement for children, which means that those who are above the age of 12 must be fully vaccinated or they will be unable to visit. Citizens of the islands are exempt from such requirements, and children under the age of 12 can enter whilst unvaccinated providing they do so with a fully vaccinated parent or guardian.
Those set to visit the island on a cruise ship will also benefit from some changes. Cruise passengers arriving at one of the ports at St. Kitts and Nevis will be able to “fully integrate” with the island for the first time in several months, allowing them to explore the islands more freely. Royal Caribbean and Carnival are just two of the cruise lines visiting the islands, with a range of different options available for travelers starting from just $389.
Speaking about the changes, the country’s Minister of Tourism Lindsay F.P. Grant described them as a “major achievement in our phased approach to tourism recovery in the Covid-19 pandemic.” He added:
“We will maintain all tourism protocols through Travel Approved Certification for both air and cruise passengers. All stakeholders must be vaccinated to operate Travel Approved taxi/tours, attractions, excursions, restaurants, bars, or provide vendor services such as hair braiding. We are confident that our continued focus on a phased reopening will enable a meaningful rebound of the industry.”
As well as gorgeous beaches and dramatic landscapes, St. Kitts and Nevis boasts a range of fascinating historical sites, a diverse range of flora and fauna and stunning five star beach resorts. Vaccination rates are high on the islands, with 80.6% having received their first dose and 74.2% their second dose. The country is reporting extremely low level of Covid-19, frequently 0 cases a day and rarely double figures.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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