As of the end of February 2021, most of the Caribbean islands have opened for cruisers and chartering. The exceptions are the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique as well as Trinidad and Tobago. All of the open islands are following similar travel protocols that require logging into a tourism department website a few days prior to traveling, having current PCR negative test certificates and then further testing and limited quarantining once you arrive at your destination.
The respected journal Travel Weekly recently published an island-by-island update. As an example, here’s what WT reports for the British Virgin Island, where CC readers often travel for charter vacations:
• British Virgin Islands: Open to U.S. travelers. Travelers are required to register on the online BVI Gateway portal at bvigateway.bviaa.com at least 48 hours prior to departure to obtain the Traveller Authorization Certificate and submit proof of a negative PCR test taken within three days of departure and medical insurance that includes coverage for Covid-19. At the Welcome Center at the Terrance Lettsome airport, visitors will have a health screening, take a PCR test and download a contact tracing app. Approved transportation will shuttle visitors to certified accommodations, where they will quarantine for four days, take another PCR test and, if negative, be allowed to visit designated locations. Visitors will pay $175 per person for two PCR tests, a contact-tracing bracelet and the Covid monitoring app. If visitors need a test to exit the BVI, the government will charge $70 per test. More information: bvitourism.com. For the complete Travel Weekly report, click here.
The charter companies have bases throughout the Caribbean and have on their websites detailed travel information for those flying to the islands for a charter vacation. Check out The Moorings’ BVI travel information here. The worldwide Covid pandemic isn’t over yet, but day-by-day life is beginning to get back to normal, including a vacation in the Caribbean.
