From mid-February 2022, the Hamburg shipping company Hapag-Lloyd only wants to let passengers on board who can prove a booster vaccination against Covid-19. It doesn't really need to be said that the 2G rule should apply almost everywhere on board.

"For all trips from mid-February 2022 the following also applies: a booster vaccination is a prerequisite for traveling with everyone over the age of 18, provided that the basic immunization against Covid-19 was more than 3 months ago. This is done in order to further increase the safety for passengers and crew and based on the current vaccination recommendation of the STIKO, which recommends a booster vaccination after 3 months ”, says the shipping company.

The departures of the ships Europa, Europa 14, Hanseatic Spirit, Hanseatic Nature, Hanseatic Inspiration will be initially affected from February 2022, 2. The regulation should also apply to cruise flights operated under the Albert Ballin brand.

German couple disembarked in Argentina

Only a few days ago, Hapag-Lloyd caused a stir, as a person who had been vaccinated three times on board tested positive and was disembarked in Argentina together with his wife, who tested negative. In the port, a hotel had to be occupied with a daily rate of 650 euros. Via various media, the two criticized that they had paid around 45.000 euros for the trip, which had been canceled several times in advance, and that they had been left sitting in Argentina.

Necessary maintenance work was carried out on the ship in the port there, but local media report that corona cases have occurred among the crew and workers. Hapag-Lloyd explained that the departure of the Hanseatic Nature had been delayed because workers had to be replaced and then inspectors from Buenos Aires had to carry out the acceptance. In any case, the ship then cast off without the two holidaymakers and they feel that Hapag-Llyod is insufficiently informed.

It is now common practice for people who test positive for the coronavirus to be disembarked in the next port. However, it can also happen that entry is refused or the entire ship is quarantined. Various shipping companies have repeatedly had to cancel trips.