First time cruiser! COVID-19 and the upcoming sailing season

[Bonefish]

Hello! My boyfriend and I are wanting to sail the Caribbean, leaving in December 2020 from FL and returning in July 2021. With the Bahamas requiring a negative covid test within 10 days of arrival, does anyone know how that will apply to cruisers who have been underway for more than 10 days? Is anyone still planning on sailing the Caribbean this winter? This virus is making it very hard to live the dream...

[JC Reefer]

How do you leave FL and take more then 10 days to arrive anywhere in the Bahamas?

[Nightsky]

Originally Posted by JC Reefer

How do you leave FL and take more then 10 days to arrive anywhere in the Bahamas?

Well...here's one scenario. You get the test but it takes a week to get the results, then you get the results, but the weather window has passed and the next one is maybe a week away or more. Take another test? Try to time the first test to allow a week or more for results, if you can rely on the wx forecast 5-7 days out? We are also trying to figure out how to make this work. Unless I'm missing something might not be that easy to have all the pieces fall in to place.

[a64pilot]

You need to do some more reading. Last I heard it starts with a neg covid test within 10 days of a arrival, and it’s one specific test that I know nothing about, but be sure you get the right one.
Then I believe you move onto a 14 day quarantine, after that you cannot travel from one island group to another.

However my info is likely out of date, and I really didn’t pay serious attention to it, just enough for me to decide that the Bahama’s are still a no go.

So do your own due diligence, but if you get info different than what I said, I’d appreciate if you posted it.

I signed up for emails from the US Embassey and get regular emails’ for instance got one regarding the possible upcoming storm today. I’d sign up for those emails, and be very wary of what data you get from face book etc.


On edit, it’s a very flexible situation and seems to change often

[a64pilot]

I cut n pasted most of the US Embassy email, this is at least a week old, possibly longer

Health Alert - U.S. Embassy Nassau, The Bahamas – August 11, 2020  

Location:  The Bahamas  

Event:    The U.S. Embassy in Nassau is providing regular updates to U.S. citizens on entry requirements for traveling to and within The Bahamas.   

  Mandatory Entry Requirements for All Inbound Travelers via all means of transportation

(commercial and private, planes and vessels)

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, entry requirements for The Bahamas are subject to modification at any time. This Health Alert does not constitute a substitution for the official guidance of the Bahamian government, currently available at the sources listed below under “Actions to Take.”

A lockdown is currently in effect in The Bahamas until 5 AM on August 19 (subject to possible extension), with the following exceptions. On August 9, the Prime Minister announced that the lockdown and curfew have been lifted only for Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay, Long Island, Rum Cay and Ragged Island. For complete details on the lockdown, please visit opm.gov.bs. The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism noted on August 4, “During the national lockdown, The Bahamas remains open to international travel; however, it is recommended that all travel is limited only to essential purposes.”

Additionally, the international and domestic borders of Grand Bahama Island are closed until further notice.

Current international entry requirements include the online submission of a Travel Health Visa Application along with the negative result of a RT PCR COVID-19 (molecular swab) test from an accredited lab taken within 10 days of arrival.

A 14-day quarantine is mandatory for all travelers, with quarantine monitoring in place through the mandatory installation of the Hubbcat app installed on each traveler’s phone as well as via an enforcement unit. At the end of the 14-day quarantine, travelers must undergo an additional COVID-19 (molecular swab) test at their own expense, in order to exit quarantine. Note: Individuals in mandatory quarantine who wish to depart The Bahamas before the expiration of the 14 day period can do so at any time without the need to perform another COVID-19 test, once they inform the COVID-19 Enforcement Unit.

Inter-island (domestic) travel within The Bahamas is currently prohibited until further notice, except in the event of an emergency.

Flight availability: U.S. citizens who want to return to the United States should be aware that the number of commercial flights to/from The Bahamas is currently limited. Please check directly with the airlines for flight availability. The U.S. government does not anticipate arranging repatriation flights from The Bahamas.   See https://bs.usembassy.gov/charter-companies for a limited list of charter companies that fly to the United States.  

 Mandatory health protocols and safety precautions implemented by The Bahamas are available at http://bahamas.com/tourism-reopening.  

On August 6, the Department of State issued a Travel Advisory at Level 4 - Do not travel, due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions. The Travel advisory states: “Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for the Bahamas due to COVID-19.  Travelers to The Bahamas may experience travel prohibitions, stay at home orders, business closures, and other emergency conditions within The Bahamas due to COVID-19. Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in The Bahamas.”



Actions to Take: 

For questions, contact the Ministry of Tourism COVID-19 travel hotline at +1-242-502-0829, Monday to Friday, 8:00AM to 6:00PM EST.
Check https://bahamas.com/tourism-reopening regularly for updates on travel requirements to The Bahamas, that page’s FAQs (currently under revision), https://www.bahamas.com/pressroom/ba...ional-lockdown, and https://www.bahamas.com/pressroom/pr...-entry-bahamas.
Follow the instructions and regulations coming from the Bahamian government, please consult https://www.facebook.com/opmbs/ and ....bs/ for the latest information on COVID-19 from the Government of The Bahamas.
Visit the U.S. Embassy COVID-19 Information Page for information on conditions in The Bahamas.         
Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information and recommendations for travelers and high-risk populations.     
See the CDC’s latest recommendations  for preventing the spread of COVID-19.         
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov   for the latest information.      
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website for up-to-date information on travel restrictions to the United States.              
  

For Assistance:  

  

U.S. Embassy Nassau, The Bahamas 

#42 Queen Street, Nassau 

+1-242-322-1181 

ACSNassau@state.gov 

U.S. Embassy Nassau webpage  

  

[DMCantor]

www.noonsite.com has been doing a great job posting up-to-date information of Covid-19 restrictions by island. Highly recommended.


We have cruised the Caribbean every winter for more than 10 years, but sadly I don't think it will be feasible this year. We can only hope for a vaccine.

[AiniA]

The Bahamas and the Caribbean are two different areas for starters with different considerations - COVID and sailing for each.

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by Bonefish

SNIP

Is anyone still planning on sailing the Caribbean this winter? This virus is making it very hard to live the dream...

Not planning to cruise this season. Will likely stay in the Florida Keys. While the Bahamas is not out of the question things are changing so fast in terms of who can go where when and what is required to go that any answer today will almost for sure be different after hurricane season.

COVID-19 has been a sea change for lots of things and truth be told I would put how it has changed cruising near the bottom of the list.

[Montanan]

We are in the midst of a pandemic. Travel of all types should be for essential purposes only and non-pharmaceutical interventions and protocols should be practiced. Heck there are required quarantines even between some States and the USA/Canadian/Mexican borders are restricted.

Covid-19 restrictions remain very dynamic and reactive and likely will remain such until late 2012 or 2022 at the earliest as surges rise and abate.

Presently the USA is a bit the world's pharia state. We Yank's doing such a grand job of being Number One as to all things Covidiotish.


The US State Department has a four level scheme of travel advisories.

1. Exercise Normal Precautions.

2. Exercise Increased Caution.

3. Reconsider Travel.

4. Do Not Travel.

As to the Bahamas, the Caribbean Countries and much of the world, the Advisory Level is presently set at 3 or 4.

By way of example, for the Turks and Caicos Islands:

August 6, 2020 Turks and Caicos Islands - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions. Exercise increased caution in the Turks and Caicos Islands due to crime.

Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a level 3 Travel Health Notice for  the Turks and Caicos Islands due to COVID-19.  

Travelers to the Turks and Caicos Islands may experience border closures, airport closures, travel prohibitions, stay at home orders, business closures, and other emergency conditions within the Turks and Caicos Islands due to COVID-19

And presently as to The Bahamas:

The Bahamas Travel Advisory
Travel Advisory
August 6, 2020 The Bahamas - Level 4: Do Not Travel
Health and Crime Risks

Do not travel to The Bahamas due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions. Exercise increased caution in The Bahamas due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for the Bahamas due to COVID-19.

Travelers to The Bahamas may experience travel prohibitions, stay at home orders, business closures, and other emergency conditions within The Bahamas due to COVID-19. Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in The Bahamas.

Country Summary: Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assault, occurs even during the day and in tourist areas. Although the family islands are not crime-free, the vast majority of crime occurs on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. U.S. government personnel are not permitted to visit the area known by many visitors as the Sand Trap area in Nassau due to crime. Activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated. Watercrafts are often not maintained, and many companies do not have safety certifications to operate in The Bahamas. Jet-ski operators have been known to commit sexual assaults against tourists. As a result, U.S. government personnel are not permitted to use jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.

Exercise caution in the area known as "Over the Hill" (south of Shirley Street) and the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay in Nassau, especially at night.


Macau and Taiwan are the only countries which remain at Level 1 advisory.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by AiniA

The Bahamas and the Caribbean are two different areas for starters with different considerations - COVID and sailing for each.

Well, Yes and No.

The word "Caribbean" has multiple uses. Its principal ones are geographical and political. The Caribbean can also be expanded to include territories with strong cultural and historical connections to Africa, slavery, European colonisation and the plantation system.

The United Nations geoscheme depicted below for the Americas presents the Caribbean as a distinct region within the Americas. The geoscheme denotes Dark Blue - North America; Green - Central America; Light Blue - Caribbean; Yellow - South America.

The UN's complete geoscheme list of Caribbean island countries is attached below.

Physiographically, the Caribbean region is mainly a chain of islands surrounding the Caribbean Sea. To the north, the region is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico, the Straits of Florida and the Northern Atlantic Ocean, which lies to the east and northeast. To the south lies the coastline of the continent of South America.
Politically, the "Caribbean" may be centred by considering narrower and wider socio-economic groupings:
At its core is the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), whose full members include the Commonwealth of the Bahamas in the Atlantic, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Suriname in South America, and Belize in Central America; its associate members include Bermuda and the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.
Most expansive is the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), which includes almost every nation in the region surrounding the Caribbean and also El Salvador on the Pacific Ocean. According to the ACS, the total population of its member states is 227 million people



The Caribbean (/ˌkærɪˈbiːən, kəˈrɪbiən/, locally /ˈkærɪbiæn/) (Spanish: El Caribe; French: les Caraïbes; Haitian Creole: Karayib; Dutch: De Caraïben) is a region of the Americas that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (some surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and some bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean) and the surrounding coasts. The region is southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and the North American mainland, east of Central America, and north of South America.

Situated largely on the Caribbean Plate, the region has more than 700 islands, islets, reefs and cays (see the list of Caribbean islands). Island arcs delineate the eastern and northern edges of the Caribbean Sea: the Greater Antilles on the north and the Lesser Antilles on the south and east (which includes the Leeward Antilles). They form the West Indies along with the nearby Lucayan Archipelago (The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands), which are sometimes considered to be a part of the Caribbean despite not bordering the Caribbean Sea. On the mainland, Belize, Nicaragua, the Caribbean region of Colombia, Cozumel, the Yucatán Peninsula, Margarita Island, and The Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Guayana Region in Venezuela, and Amapá in Brazil) are often included due to their political and cultural ties with the region.

Also attached below are images of the Maritime Boundaries of the Caribbean and the geopolitical mapping.

[JC Reefer]

Originally Posted by Nightsky

Well...here's one scenario. You get the test but it takes a week to get the results, then you get the results, but the weather window has passed and the next one is maybe a week away or more. Take another test? Try to time the first test to allow a week or more for results, if you can rely on the wx forecast 5-7 days out? We are also trying to figure out how to make this work. Unless I'm missing something might not be that easy to have all the pieces fall in to place.

Very nice example. Unfortunately I think the current answer is yes, take the test again and see if the weather gods are kind.

Good news is that the rules are changing almost daily and might be less abusive come December.

[BlackHeron]

Stay in Florida, tons of places to cruise and explore on this side of the gulf stream this year until a vaccine or other breakthrough.

Unfortunately Florida right now isn't looking too good as far as COVID-19 infection rates are concerned. Georgia is just as bad. The Carolinas may be a little safer if you are worried about your own health and risk factors.

The entire East Coast cruising community is mulling over this same question of where to go this winter once it is too cold to stay up North. It will be an interesting migration season this fall.

We have ruled out the Bahamas and other Caribbean states as it is just too unstable and they keep changing their minds every week or two on their policies -and it really hasnt gotten to a major crisis)second wave yet. When that happens all bets are off.

We aren't going to put our boat and our lives in the hands of pretty foreign bureaucrats that can barely handle running their banana republics even in good times.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Bonefish

Hello! My boyfriend and I are wanting to sail the Caribbean, leaving in December 2020 from FL and returning in July 2021. With the Bahamas requiring a negative covid test within 10 days of arrival, does anyone know how that will apply to cruisers who have been underway for more than 10 days? Is anyone still planning on sailing the Caribbean this winter? This virus is making it very hard to live the dream...

If you want to sail the Caribe why bother with a group of islands outside the Caribe..
Take your test and get the results then sail over the top of the Bahamas and head East 1000nm then hang a right to St Martin or Antigua.. then on down to Trini if you so wish and do the islands to the West on the way back.
That's if you really want to sail the Caribe.