Travelling Back to Ships - Process and Paperwork 2020

Just arrived in Barbados to join the fleet once more, here to explain all the paperwork I needed to have with me in order to travel.

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Travel in 2020

All in all I have to say that the process of gathering paperwork and navigating the airports was not too far from normal. This time you will undoubtedly need more paperwork than usual and I advise you give extra time for all airport migration check points.

On one hand some flights might be packed due to a lower offer of flights, others might be quite empty due to less travel movement. I had one of each, no social distance is practiced on board flights so masks are compulsory, I read valve masks and face shields are not allowed but I did see travelers wearing them at the airport.

My first flight was packed, but I had a row to myself on the second one!

Some cruise lines are keeping reduced food and drinks services to avoid the need for passengers to remove their masks (or maybe an excuse to save some money...) plus many airport restaurants remain closed due to lower traffic, so I recommend you bring some food with you for your trip!

As I said before make sure to arrive early at airports and don't delay going through immigration between connections because many automated airport systems are currently not operating. You will most likely have a face-to-face immigration check-point and you will need to clearly state your reason for traveling amidst a pandemic, both to leave your country and enter a new one.

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Travel Paperwork

As usual you will need all your sign-on documents like training and medical certificates, plus at the moment you'll also need a Negative PCR Test to be presented up to 24Hs before travel.

Watch the following video about updated medical requirements: Influenza vaccine for all recently renewed medicals and pre-existing conditions restrictions.

Head to C-Trac's Healthy Return to Service section to find full guides on new requirements and steps. There you can see a list of approved PCR testing facilities or medical representatives to guide you in your country. Also there you'll see the e-mail address where you need to send the result.

In some cases medical representatives will pre-pay for your PCR test, in other cases you will be reimbursed through CamEx, just make sure to take and send the test within the correct time frame for it to be valid at the time of arrival and in case your contract is delayed to avoid losing your investment since you will only be reimbursed once.

Be sure to check what paperwork you need to leave your country and to enter your destination country. I recommend this webpage > http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/

Barbados Travel Requirements

Many crew members will be signing on in Barbados, let me share with you my experience flying out there.

Barbados is requesting travelers to fill this online immigration form 48 to 24Hs before arrival. Find out more in the Barbados Travel Guideline Website.

Plus the PCR test needs to be no more than 72Hs old. Or else you will need to have a nasal swab at the airport and that can delay your pick up affecting all other crew members traveling that day.

Once at the airport you will need to present these printed documents and you will sign an extra form since Barbados is organizing quarantine hotels for all travelers. I was not told what hotel I was going to because of this so I simply told the immigration agents this and they pointed me to a table where an agent was arranging accommodation for crew members, we were assigned a hotel and directed to wait for the pick up at the entrance of the airport.

Once in the hotel we are not allowed to leave our room and food will be delivered to us, then as usual you will be picked up by a transportation that will take you to the ship.

Once on the Ship

Upon arrival to the ship you will need to present your medical paperwork and PCR test plus health questionnaire and you will be taken directly into isolation in the Yellow low-risk zone for 15 days.

More details about how to fill the forms and my trip experience coming soon!

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