Health and Safety Protocols: Frequently Asked Questions

Embarkation testing will no longer be required for voyages departing on or after October 1st, 2022.

We highly recommend that all guests take a pre-departure COVID-19 test within five days of the start of your expedition. We also continue to recommend that you follow all CDC travel guidelines including masking and social distancing prior to joining the group.

• If you have been exposed to a confirmed positive person within 5 days of embarkation, you will be tested via rapid antigen if symptomatic upon embarkation. If negative, you may board but should continue to monitor for symptoms.
• Per the CDC, a "close contact" is defined as anyone who spent 15 minutes or more within a 24-hour period and was within 6 feet of a person infected with COVID-19 while they were infectious (2 days before onset of symptoms to 10 days after).

All close contacts of a COVID-19 positive person will be tested for COVID-19 at embarkation. If the test result is positive, you will not be permitted to travel.

Per the CDC, a "close contact" is defined as anyone who spent 15 minutes or more within a 24-hour period and was within 6 feet of a person infected with COVID-19 while they were infectious (2 days before onset of symptoms to 10 days after).

Lindblad will work with you to rebook for a later date or provide future travel credit for 100% of the value the expedition fare paid.

Many airlines have instituted travel guidelines and requirements aboard their flights. We recommend you check with your airline to determine their specific protocols. The CDC provides guidance for travel, including frequent handwashing, avoiding touching your face, keeping ample distance from others where possible, covering coughs and sneezes, and wearing a mask. More information can be found on the CDC website.

Please Note: While many airlines and international destinations are relaxing mask requirements, we highly recommend you continue to mask and closely adhere to COVID mitigation health and safety guidelines in the days leading up to your voyage and enroute to the vessel (including on the plane) to reduce your potential exposure.

If you choose to explore independently before your expedition, we recommend that you follow all CDC travel guidelines including masking and social distancing prior to joining the group and exercise extra caution leading up to your voyage.

Due to the rapidly changing landscape of COVID and governmental protocols, we strongly suggest purchasing refundable air regardless of which flight you choose to take to your destination. We strongly advise all guests to allow for adequate connections and, where possible, to arrive a day early. Doing so will mitigate the risk of delays, missed connections, lost luggage and, in some cases, missing your trip altogether.

Effective for all voyages departing on or after September 1st, 2022: Face coverings will be strongly recommended for all guests, unless required by local regulation.

Yes; however, we do ask that you take precautions while ashore and minimize time spent indoors while unmasked.

Lindblad Expeditions can provide a PCR test onboard in these situations. However, the test will be administered the day prior to disembarkation. Please note, this is not a RT-PCR. Guests are responsible for understanding the testing requirements and timelines required for re-entry to their country of residence.

Yes, all voyages have a doctor onboard.

Some equipment is specific to the vessel. National Geographic Resolution, National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Explorer, and National Geographic Orion have have ventilators and ultrasounds. All ships have defibrillators, oxygen concentrators, and other emergency equipment. We can provide some acute interventional services and basic services such as providing antibiotics or suturing simple lacerations. Any complex medical needs will occur at shoreside facilities.

If anyone tests positive via rapid antigen test, a PCR test will be administered for confirmation. If positive, the guest/crew member will be immediately isolated. 

You will be isolated in a designated isolation cabin, if available. Shipboard crew will deliver food and supplies as necessary. You will not be permitted to leave the isolation cabin.

Yes, all positive cases are treated similarly regardless of symptoms.

A Lindblad Expeditions representative will work with you to rebook your air.

This varies from destination to destination and is determined by local health officials.

The CDC recommends that positive cases refrain from traveling until a full 10 days after symptoms began or the date your positive test was taken if you had no symptoms. On international voyages, the local regulations supersede US regulations and longer isolation may be required. Time spent isolated onboard the vessel counts toward the isolation period. Isolation periods are subject to change.  

Please Note: Effective June 12, 2022, the CDC will no longer require air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight.

COVID-19 positive guests will not be permitted to join Lindblad Expeditions private charter flights and the return portion of charter air is non-refundable. Other included services (including but not limited to hotel nights and extensions) that are not utilized due to a positive COVID-19 test, are non-refundable.

You are responsible for all shoreside isolation costs. Lindblad Expeditions will assist in securing isolation accommodations, but all payments are to be made directly at the time services are rendered. If you prefer to make your own arrangements, you are welcome to. Consult your insurance provider with any coverage questions.

You are responsible for all air costs and change fees. Consult your insurance provider with any coverage questions.

If your airfare was ticketed by Lindblad Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions’ Air Department will be able to assist with changing those tickets.

COVID-19 positive guests will not be permitted to join Lindblad Expeditions private charter flights. The return portion of charter air is non-refundable.