Coronavirus: Which Cruise Ports Are Closed?

As coronavirus fears cause countries to impose travel restrictions and close their borders to outside visitors, cruise ships have been increasingly turned away from various ports, The virus, which originated in Wuhan, China and since spread to every continent but Antartica, has spurred countries to be more aggressive about letting ships into port, even if the vessels only have healthy people onboard.

Port closures are affecting cruises less and less, as most cruise lines have temporarily shut down in an effort to help reduce the spread of the virus.

The following is a status report of which cruise ports are denying entry to cruise ships at the moment, and which ports have increased restrictions. Please note that due to the changing nature of the situation, restrictions might have increased or evolved based on each individual region.

Ports Currently Closed to Cruise Ships

Albania: Albania closed all sea borders on March 22.

Amsterdam: Amsterdam, along with many other ports in The Netherlands, are barring or restricting cruise passengers by river and by ocean. Restrictions were placed on ocean and river cruise vessels in the Amsterdam region, in effect from the week of March 20, 2020. At Amsterdam, no cruise vessels are allowed to enter the port, and mooring is restricted to lay by, without passengers, until further notice.The ports of Hoorn and Huizen are also blocking cruise vessels, while Alkmaar, Den Helder, Enkhuizen, Haarlem, Lelystad, Medemblik and Zaanstad are turning away those with 100 or more persons onboard. These ports’ restrictions apply until April 6.

Angola: Angola has suspended all flights in and out, closed land border crossings and banned the arrival of passenger ships.

Anguilla: Marigot Port suspended all passenger movements to and from the Blowing Point Ferry Port (Anguilla) on March 17 and until further notice; cruise operations suspended.

Argentina: Argentina has closed its borders to foreign nationals.

Aruba: Passengers currently are not allowed to enter Aruba, residents included.

Australia: International cruise ships are banned until June 15, except for those headed to Tasmania, which has banned cruise ship calls until June 30.

Barbados: All ports are closed until 9 a.m. EDT on March 31.

Belize: Seaports in Belize are closed to non-essential traffic.

Bermuda Starting Thursday, March 19, Bermuda’s borders will be closed for two weeks to non-residents. The airport will also close to all commercial air service effective 11:59 pm Friday, March 20. Visiting vessels will not be allowed to enter the seaport.

British Virgin Islands: On March 14, citing the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring COVID-19 a pandemic, the Government of the Virgin Islands announced the immediate closure of the Tortola cruise port, allowing no cruise ships to call on the territory for a 30 day period in an effort to protect the Territory from potential contamination. At present there are no confirmed cases in the islands.

Cambodia: All cruise vessels and Mekong riverboats from Vietnam will be denied entry. Citizens or those who have travelled through Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Iran and the US are denied entry.

Canada: All Canadian ports are closed to cruise ships with more than 500 passengers through July 1, 2020. Arctic ports are closed for the entire season. Foreign nationals from all countries are barred from entering Canada.

Cayman Islands: As of March 16, the Cayman Islands will close to cruise ship traffic for 60 days.

Chile: Chile cruise ports have blocked cruise ships from calling, but there is no word yet on when the ban will be lifted. Non-resident foreigners are now banned from entering the country.

Cook Islands: All cruise ships and yachts are banned from entering Cook Islands waters until June 30, subject to weekly review.

Colombia: All sea and river borders are closed until May 30.

Costa Rica: Until midnight on Sunday 12 April, only Costa Rican citizens and legal residents are permitted to enter the country.

Cork, Ireland: The Port of Cork is closed to cruise ships at least through April 20, 2020. The port has lost five calls as a result of the cancellation. Operations in the following months are now in question.

Cuba: Cuba’s borders are closed.

Cyprus: Unless you are a Cyprus citizen or a legal resident, you won’t be permitted to enter or cross into Cyprus.

Czech Republic: A ban to entry is extended to all foreigners.

Denmark: All of Denmark’s cruise ports are closed to ship traffic at least April 13, 2020.

Doha: Qatar’s capital, Doha, has closed its port to cruise ships until further notice.

Dominica: Dominica is currently closed to all non-essential air travel and gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people.

Dominican Republic: The Government of the Dominican Republic has closed all air, land and sea borders due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ecuador: Foreigners are not be allowed to enter Ecuador, including by cruise ship. Ecuador has since closed its borders to all citizens, including residents, until April 6, 2020.

El Salvador: The Government of El Salvador has declared a state of emergency for COVID-19. The entry of all foreigners is prohibited.

Estonia: Cruise ships will not be permitted to dock in Estonia until at least May 1.

European Union: On March 17, the EU closed its borders for 30 days to all non-EU nationals from visiting the bloc, except long-term residents, family members of EU nationals and diplomats, cross-border and healthcare workers, and people transporting goods. The EU includes 26 member countries, though countries outside the EU but geographically close — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — are expected to adhere to these measures. UK remains unaffected at this time.

Fiji: All cruise ships are banned from entering Fiji.

Germany: Germany has restricted all cruise travel until April 30.

Greece: Bans are in place for all cruise ships and sailboats arriving into Greek ports.

Grenada: Grenada closed its airports and seaports to all non-essential travel on March 22, and instituted a state of emergency on March 25. Crew on essential vessels (cargo) are no longer allowed shore leave. Ships carrying passengers are no longer allowed to dock in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

Guatemala: Guatemala has temporarily closed its air and sea borders.

Haiti: The Government of Haiti has declared a state of national emergency, and closed all sea, air, and land borders.

Honduras: Honduras has closed air, land and sea borders

Hong Kong: Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong has shut both its cruise terminals until further notice as cruise lines cancel sailings and adjust itineraries to avoid calls on several Asia ports due to the coronavirus outbreak.

India: The Government of India will no longer allow entry to cruise ships to its ports and has banned all international travelers from entering the country.

Ireland: The local government has announced a country-wide lockdown lasting until Easter.

Israel: Israel is denying entry to people who are not Israeli citizens or residents..

Italy: The entire country of Italy is in a government mandated lockdown that has been extended through April 12. No cruises are permitted to visit.

Jamaica: All Jamaican airports and seaports are closed to incoming passengers.

Jordan: Jordan has closed all land, sea and air border crossings.

Latvia: The Latvian Government has suspended all international passenger transportation from 17 March until 14 April.

Lithuania: Cruise ships are not allowed to enter the port of Klaipėda.

Madagascar: Madagascar has suspended all cruise ships from entering any port in Madagascar for a period of 30 days from 15 March.

Malaysia: The country has closed its cruise ports to cruise ships following a decision taken by the Health Ministry and Transport Ministry. Travellers will be denied entry to Malaysia till 31 March 2020.

Maldives: Cruise ships have been suspended from docking at the Maldives.

Marshall Islands: Marshall Islands has closed its border to all international travellers. This covers all arrivals by air and cruise ship.

Martinique: The Martinique Port Authority has stopped all cruise calls scheduled for the season. Requests for technical stops will be treated case by case.

Mauritius: No one will be allowed into Mauritius for 15 days from 19 March. All cruise ships will also be denied access to the port.

Mexico: Borders closed to all international travelers arriving by cruise ship until April 20.

Montenegro: Cruise ships are barred from entry.

Myanmar: Myanmar will only allow visitors through Yangon, Mandalay or Naypyitaw international airport.

New Caledonia: All cruise ships are banned from entering New Caledonia until further notice.

New Zealand: All New Zealand ports are closed to cruise ships through June 30, and entry now prohibited for all foreign travelers.

Norway: Norway has bannened all foreign citizens from entering the country until at least April 13 by air, land or sea.

Oman: Oman has banned the entry of non-GCC citizens through all land, sea and air ports. Cruise ships are banned from docking.

Panama: Foreigners are restricted from entering Panama due to COVID-19. A nationwide quarantine was enacted March 25. All international and domestic flights are suspended, along with non-essential ocean travel.

Poland: Non-Polish citizens are banned from entering the country.

Portugal (including Azores and Madeira): Portugal is no longer allowing cruise ships to disembark, with the exception of residents of Portugal returning home. Madeira is not allowing cruise ships to dock at all. The Azores has mandated that cruise ships receive approval from health authorities in order to dock. (An end date to the ban was not announced.) Flights to the US and Canada are now cancelled.

Peru: Peru is prohibiting cruise ships from docking at its ports for at least 30 days starting March 16.

Phuket: The Thai island has closed all land and sea entry and exit points until April 30.

Romania: Non-citizens are now temporarily banned from entering the country as of March 21.

Russia: Russia has temporarily banned all foreigners from entering the country. The measures take effect on March 18 and run through May 1.

St. Kitts & Nevis: St. Kitts and Nevis has closed its borders until April 7.

St. Maarten: The island shut down to all marine traffic on March 24 until further notice.

Samoa: All cruise ships will not be granted entry into Samoa until further notice. The country is refusing entry to all non-citizens.

Seychelles: No cruise ships are allowed entry into Seychelles’ waters until further notice.

Singapore: Singapore is closed to all cruise ship visits until further notice.

Slovakia: Passenger cruise vessels are not allowed to enter harbors in Slovakia as of March 13. They can, however, sail through without stopping.

Solomon Islands: The Solomon Islands is refusing entry to all non-citizens.

South Africa: South Africa has closed all ports to cruise ships.

South Korea: South Korea has implemented a temporary ban on all cruise ships docking at its ports. For February, the only ship scheduled to call in was Holland America Line’s Westerdam, which was barred from entering multiple ports.

Spain: Spain has closed its land, sea and air borders to non-residents for 30 days from 23 March.

Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka has closed to all cruise passengers. On March 22, the government said all passenger ships and flights are now prohibited for an undetermined period of time.

Tahiti: French Polynesia has closed its cruise ports to cruise ships as of March 12. Tahiti remains closed until April 11, 2020.

Taiwan: Taiwan has closed its cruise ports. All non-Taiwanese travellers are barred from entering Taiwan.

Tonga: Commercial flights, cruise ships and yachts are banned from entering Tonga.

Trinidad and Tobago: The government has suspended all cruise ship visits to Trinidad and Tobago through the end of this cruise season (April 24, 2020).

Tunisia: Tunisia has closed its borders.

Turks and Caicos: All sea ports are now closed to regional and international seafaring; no visitor shall be permitted to enter or transit through the Turks and Caicos Islands, for a period of 21 days, commencing on March 24, 2020 or until such date as the Governor specifies. The restriction does not apply to outgoing ships (or flights).

United Arab Emirates: All UAE ports, which include Abu Dhabi and Dubai, are now closed to cruise liners.

USA: In California, Monterey has closed itself to cruise ships through the end April, forcing the cancelation of visits from Princess Cruises and Holland America Line. Santa Barbara has also closed itself to cruises, forcing the cancelation of 11 cruise ship visits through the end of June 2020. San Diego has closed to cruise ships as of March 31, 2020. New orders “bar additional cruise ships from dropping off passengers in the harbor without public health approval if any passengers have COVID-19.” A second order bars any cruise ship from disembarking passengers or crew for any reason after March 31. Ships are allowed to dock to receive fuel and provisions as long as no employee or passenger disembarks.

Baltimore is closed, only allowing returning vessels to disembark; all disembarking passengers will be screened. Astoria, Oregon is closed to cruise ships until further notice. Bar Harbor, Maine has closed until the end of April, forcing the cancellation of a visit by HAL’s Zaandam. Seattle has asked Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises to cancel their planned stops in the city scheduled for April 1 (Grand Princess) and April 5 (Celebrity Eclipse), respectively. Portland, Maine, has canceled its first two 2020 cruise ship visits on April 25 (MS Victory II) and April 30 (Pearl Mist). Newport, Rhode Island has canceled two cruise ship calls that were due to arrive on April 7th and April 24th.

Puerto Rico: The government of Puerto Rico has ordered that any cruise ship entering Puerto Rico must certify that no person onboard meets the criteria for the coronavirus. Ships that do not or cannot do so will be turned away.

US Virgin Islands: The US Virgin Islands is enacting new tourism restrictions and will close their doors to all visitors for 30 days from March 25, 2020 until April 25, 2020.

Vanuatu: All cruise liners, sailing boats and other international vessels are now suspended from entering any ports in Vanuatu for a period of 60 days as of 18 March.

Vietnam: Two ports common on Mekong River cruises are closed. Halong Bay closed March 12 and will remain closed for at least two weeks (no day or overnight cruises permitted). Lan Ha Bay is closed until further notice. The Vietnamese government has suspended entry to all foreigners.

Ports With Entry Restrictions

Austria: Austria is closed to all foreign travelers outside the Schengen zone until further notice, affecting river cruise travel. Land borders with Hungary, Germany, Switzerland and Italy are blocked.

Antigua & Barbuda: Antigua and Barbuda remains open for travelers. However, foreign nationals (including passengers and crew) who have traveled to China, Italy, Iran, Japan, Korea and Singapore the past twenty-eight (28) days, will be not be permitted entry into Antigua and Barbuda. Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda as well as resident diplomats will be allowed entry.

The Bahamas: The Bahamas implemented new border control and quarantine measures for persons travelling from highly infected areas. Given the growing public health concern and to protect the health and well-being of the population of The Bahamas, effective Thursday, March 19, expanded travel restrictions will be introduced. Foreign nationals and foreign individuals who have travelled within the last 20 days from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe will be prohibited entry into The Bahamas. This is in addition to restrictions already in place for China, Iran, Italy and South Korea. This restricted travel list of countries will be continuously monitored and updated as necessary.

Bahrain: You may be denied entry if you’ve travelled to China, Iran, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia or South Korea within 14 days of arrival in Bahrain. You will be required to self-isolate if you’ve travelled to Italy, South Korea, Egypt and Lebanon within 14 days of arrival in Bahrain.

Belgium: All travel to the EU and Schengen Area is strictly restricted for non-EU nationals for 30 days from 17 March.

Belize: Due to the novel coronavirus outbreak in China, Belizean authorities will deny entry into Belize by anyone who has visited China within 14 days.

Brunei: Brunei is denying entry for travellers from high-risk countries. If you’ve travelled anywhere in Europe, Iran or China’s Hubei, Jiangsu, or Zhejiang provinces in the last 14 days you’ll be denied entry or transit through Brunei. All other travellers will placed on self-isolation for 14 days on arrival.

Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Government has proclaimed a state of emergency and has temporarily closed the borders to all non-EU citizens until 17 April.

Cambodia: Citizens of Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Iran and the US are currently banned from entering Cambodia.

China: As of March 27, all foreigners are temporarily banned from entering China.

Croatia: From 17 March, all travel to Croatia is restricted for 30 days for non-EU nationals to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Curacao: As of March 31, Curacao is on a 24-hour mandatory curfew until April 12. All incoming international flights are cancelled.

Egypt: Expect additional health screening at entry points and temporary quarantine on cruise ships. All air traffic is suspended until March 31.

The Falklands: The Falkland Islands remain open to cruise ships, with the following restrictions: All those on board have been on board for a minimum of [10] days; no one on board is suffering from symptoms consistent with them being a “suspect case” for Covid-19, according to the WHO definition Cruise vessels will be permitted to disembark passengers only for the purposes of allowing those passengers to return home in accordance with arrangements agreed between the Operator and the Falkland Islands Government, for example by direct charter flight.

France: All travel to the EU and Schengen Area is strictly restricted for non-EU nationals for 30 days from 17 March.

Finland: From 17 March, all travel to the EU and Schengen Area is restricted for 30 days for non-EU nationals. This includes Finland.

Ghana: Foreign travellers from countries with more than 200 cases of COVID-19 (this will include Australia) will be refused entry to Ghana.

Georgia: From 18 March, the Georgian government has announced a two-week closure of its borders for all foreign nationals to avoid the further spread of COVID-19.

Guam: No entry permitted if you have been in China within 14 days of arrival.

Hungary: Hungary has closed its borders to all foreign travelers.

Indonesia: All visits and transits by foreign nationals to Indonesia are temporarily be banned.

Japan: Japan has now temporarily closed its borders to citizens of over 70 different countries, including those residing in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and most of Europe. These restrictions take effect April 3, 2020 and have no set end date.

Malta: From midday 17 March, all travel to the EU and Schengen Area is restricted for 30 days for non-EU nationals. Any person arriving in Malta from any country will be subject to mandatory quarantine. Authorities have banned travel between Malta and Italy, Germany, France, Spain and Switzerland.

Micronesia: Micronesia has imposed a ban on anyone from entering the country if they have traveled to a country with confirmed cases of coronavirus within the past 14 days. If you have visited, or transited mainland China since 6 January 2020 you will be denied entry.

Morocco: Flights have been halted to over 25 countries, including Canada and much of Europe.

Mozambique: Mozambique requires travelers from countries with active transmission of COVID-19 to self-isolate on arrival for 14 days.

Namibia: On 14 March 2020 the Namibian Government announced it was suspending all inbound and outbound travel to and from Qatar, Ethiopia and Germany with immediate effect for 30 days.

Palau: Entry denied if you have traveled to or transited through China, Hong Kong or Macau in the previous 14 days. If you’re arriving via sea, you’ll need an entry permit. Contact Palau Port Control before you arrive.

Papua New Guinea: Entry is denied if you’ve travelled to certain high-risk countries (including mainland China, South Korea, Iran, UK, USA or the European Union) within 14 days of your arrival. Cruise ships and yachts with more than 15 passengers will be refused entry.

Philippines: Entry is denied if you’ve travelled from any country that has reported cases of local transmission of COVID-19. Expect additional health screening at entry points.

Poland: Foreigners are not permitted to enter Poland.

Romania: Foreign nationals arriving from Italy, China, Iran and South Korea will be required to enter mandatory quarantine or isolation before entering Romania.

Serbia: All international travel is prohibited. Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport is closed to all passenger air traffic.

Slovenia: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, you may be subject to additional screening measures at airports, as well as at land and sea entry points.

South Africa: South Africa has barred entry to travelers who are residents of, or who have transited through, China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, France, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

St. Kitts & Nevis: To help control the spread of the virus and, the Federal Government of St. Kitts & Nevis has issued COVID-19 travel advisories for visitors, citizens and residents arriving in from China, Italy, Iran, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, France, Germany and Spain. The country has now closed to all international travel until April 7.

St. Lucia: Anyone who has been to, or transited through mainland China, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea or Italy in the last 14 days before their scheduled arrival in St. Lucia will not be permitted into the country.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Measures to limit the spread include ordering the suspension for certain formal ports of entry while the hours of operation at other ports will be expanded in some instances. (St. Vincent and the Grenadines is made up of a collection of 32 islands and cays in the Caribbean, nine of which are inhabited.) The ports of entry which will remain open for yachts are Wallilabou, Blue Lagoon, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and Union Island. Crew will have to immediately check in at immigration upon anchoring at a port of entry.
People entering the country with a travel history which includes Iran, China, South Korea and Italy are now to to be quarantined for 14 days upon entry. Approval was also granted to implement active surveillance of people with a travel history that includes countries with community transmission by nurses assigned to hotels.

Sweden: From 19 March, all travel to Sweden is significantly restricted for 30 days for non-EU nationals to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Thailand: The Thai Government has determined that all travelers to Thailand, including transit passengers, need a medical certificate confirming you don’t have COVID-19 and an insurance policy for COVID-19 with at least USD 100,000 coverage.

Turkey: Turkey has suspended all international flights and is restricting travel between cities.

Ukraine: Ukraine’s Government has introduced a temporary ban on all foreigners entering Ukraine by air or land, to be reviewed after 3 April.

For more information on cruise cancellations and itinerary changes, see our coronavirus cruise line coverage.