Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates & important information

Sail safe with Stena Line

New travel system

The Dutch government have launched a traffic light system for international travel. More detailed information »

The Digital COVID Certificate for Travel

This certificate sometimes referred to as the 'vaccine passport' is being launched to allow passengers to undertake international travel in a safe manner. They are being issued by individual countries to their residents in order to provide an easy and convenient way for passengers to resume travel internationally. Please note that the Digital Covid certificate or 'vaccine passports' issued by individual countries will not replace any travel safety measures or restrictions, please check relevant guidelines when making travel plans. Click here for more detailed information from Stena Line.

Passengers travelling to the United Kingdom

If you do not comply with the UK Government requirements to enter the UK as per the below, you will be refused boarding our vessels at check-in.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION TO ENTER THE UK FROM OVERSEAS

Fill in your Passenger Locator Form up to 48 hours before arrival. You must declare all countries you have visited or transited through in the 10 days prior to your arrival on your Passenger Locator Form.
Before departure check the list of red countries, as the list can change regularly.

Red list passengers
1. Provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 3 days of departure to the UK
2. Book a managed quarantine package
3. Complete a passenger locator form

You can only enter if you are a British or Irish National, or you have residence rights in the UK. You must enter through a designated port of entry and quarantine in a government approved hotel for 10 days.

Other passengers
Travel measures depend on whether you are fully vaccinated or not. Please check gov.uk to find out if you qualify as fully vaccinated

Unvaccinated passengers or passengers vaccinated with unauthorised vaccines
1. Provide proof of a negative PCR or LFD COVID-19 test taken within 2 days of departure to the UK
2. Book tests for day 2 and 8
3. Complete a passenger locator form
4. Make plans to self-quarantine in private accommodation for 10 full days after arrival (or full duration of stay if less than 10 days). Passengers who receive a positive result from either PCR test must self-quarantine for 10 full days with day 0 being the day of the test.

Fully vaccinated passengers until 4 a.m. January 7

1. From December 7, anyone travel to the UK from countries and territories not on the red list must also show proof of a negative PCR or LFD pre-departure test, taken no earlier than 2 days before departure. This applies to vaccinated passengers and children aged 12 and above.

2. Book tests for day 2 From 30th November this must be a PCR test. You will need to add your booking confirmation to your Passenger Locator Form. Positive results from a lateral flow test must be confirmed by a PCR test and passengers must isolate until the result from the PCR test is received. From 30th November, all passengers must isolate until a negative result from a PCR test is received. Passengers with a positive result from a PCR test must isolate for 10 days from the date of the first test.
3. Complete a passenger locator form
4. Have evidence of your vaccination status with you during travel
These measures apply to all persons (including UK nationals and residents) arriving in the UK from outside the common travel area comprising the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands. The British Overseas Territories are not in the common travel area. Public health requirements may vary depending upon in which nation of the UK you’re staying.

Fully vaccinated passengers from 4 a.m. January 7
1.Pre-travel testing and quarantine is not required anymore for travelling to England
2. Book Covid tests for day 2. Until 4 a.m. on Sunday January 9, this must be a PCR test. After 4 a.m. on Sunday January 9 you can use a Lateral Flow test. You will need to add your booking confirmation to your Passenger Locator Form. Positive results from a lateral flow test must be confirmed by a PCR test and passengers must isolate until the result from the PCR test is received. All passengers must isolate until a negative result from a PCR test is received. Passengers with a positive result from a PCR test must isolate for 10 days from the date of the first test. Isolation can end after 7 days if negative results are gained from Lateral Flow tests taken 24 hours apart on days 6 & 7 and no high temperature is apparent.
3. The fully vaccinated rules also apply to children aged 17 and under, people taking part in an approved vaccine trial, and people who are unable to have a vaccination due to medical reasons.
4. Complete a passenger locator form before departure
5. Have evidence of your vaccination status with you during travel

England: www.gov.uk/uk-border-control

Northern Ireland: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-advice

Scotland: www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-quarantine/pages/overview/

Wales: gov.wales/arriving-wales-overseas

Failure to comply with these measures is a criminal offence and you could be fined. There are a limited set of exemptions from these measures. Check the list of exemptions carefully. You may be fined if you fraudulently claim an exemption.

Passengers travelling to the Netherlands

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a European entry ban is in effect for some people, barring them from travelling to the European Union or the Schengen area. You may only travel to the Netherlands if the purpose of your trip falls under one of the exemption categories or when you are fully vaccinated (proof is required)
The United Kingdom is currently listed as a "very high risk area" when travelling to the Netherlands. Read more on the government.nl website.

To enter the Netherlands, passengers must provide:

• proof of a negative PCR test (not older then 48hrs before departure in UK) or
• an antigen test (not older then 24hrs before departure in UK).
Click here for details on the requirement.

PLUS
• A completed quarantine declaration (digital or paper). A quarantine is mandatory for travelers from the United Kingdom.

Click here for more details about the quarantine requirements.

If you cannot show the negative COVID-19 test result or the completed quarantine declaration, you will not be allowed to board.
Failure to comply with the above measures is a criminal offence and may result in a fine.
Read the latest information here »

Important information about coronavirus (COVID-19)

Currently there are travel restrictions for many countries. Please check the guidelines before you travel. The current travel advice per country can be found on www.netherlandsworldwide.nl.

Thanks to our dedicated teams and our reliable ships, we do everything we can to ensure that passengers, necessary goods and cargo arrive at their destination. Our ferries to England, Ireland and Sweden operate on schedule with new measures to ensure safety standards exceed current regulations. Step aboard with confidence.

Face coverings

In accordance with public health guidelines it is mandatory to wear face coverings at our ports and on board our ships where social distancing isn't possible. Examples might be when walking around in more crowded places and/or during embarkation/disembarkation.

We advise you to bring your own face covering. Face masks are available at check-in and on board our ships.

Finally, we would like to point out that wearing a mouth cap is mandatory on public transport in England and the Netherlands.

An even safer journey

For everyone’s safety and wellbeing, we've introduced new measures to the already ambitious safety standards onboard all our vessels and at our ports and terminals. We're actively monitoring the development of the COVID-19 situation. By doing so, we can ensure routines are continuously updated and our safety standards exceed current regulations - so you can sail with confidence.

How to Sail Safe

At Stena Line, we have made many changes to make travelling safe at this time, but there are a few things we can all do to make your journey, and that of your fellow passengers, safe and enjoyable. Little things like wearing a face mask, maintaining social distancing, being patient, considerate and following instructions from crew members.

Please watch our film and see how a few simple actions will make the world of difference to your journey.

Before travelling

Inform yourself about our safety measures regarding hygiene and social distancing - we are promoting and communicating them through all our communication channels.

Do not travel if you are sick and if you're feeling unwell.

Follow your national health guidelines and travel restrictions.

Wash your hands frequently and respect social distancing.

Please find below 3 suggestions for test centers close to Hoek van Holland which meet the requirements:
• coronalab.eu
• coronasneltestwestland.nl*
• www.hethuisartslab.com*
* (website in Dutch only)

At the terminal

Our terminals feature increased opportunities for hand wash and disinfection and are also more frequently cleaned, especially "Hand Contact Point".

Card payment instead of cash is encouraged wherever possible.

You will find our sales points equipped with plexiglass protection.

Our food service has been adjusted to ensure the maximum level of hygiene.

Embarkation and disembarkation

When checking in, you will be asked to state your health condition. Passengers with any indication of suspected COVID-19 will be denied boarding.

Social distancing is encouraged by floor markings across our ferries and terminals, and reminders are being announced over the public address system.

Onboard our ferries

Cleaning and hygiene measures onboard at Stena Line

Safe social distancing

More space onboard! All ships have reduced their passenger capacity accordingly to allow for social distancing.

Single-use cabins for customers where possible unless travelling together.

Safer guest-crew interaction points onboard with Plexiglass screens for increased safety.

Certain areas such as saunas, kids playrooms, etc., have been closed.

Shops, bars & restaurants onboard

Our food service has been adjusted to ensure the maximum level of hygiene. The buffet self-service is currently unavailable, we now offer single plate servings and packaged foods.

No alcohol is served in our bars & restaurants between 22:00 and 05:00.

Card payment instead of cash is preferred wherever possible.

On some vessels we have increased self-service of beverages.

Cleaning and hygiene measures onboard

Increased opportunities for hand wash and disinfection in public areas.

On-board announcements, posters, and digital signage about hygiene guidelines onboard.

Increased frequency of cleaning and disinfection onboard, especially of "Hand Contact Points" such as door handles, access touchpads, telephones.

Our ventilation systems are running on 100% fresh air, no recirculation.

Do I need a Covid-19 vaccination passport or certificate for international travel?

The Digital COVID Certificate for Travel, also known as a 'vaccine passport' is being launched to allow passengers to undertake international travel in a safe manner. They are being issued by individual countries to their residents in order to provide an easy and convenient way for passengers to resume travel internationally. Please note that the Digital Covid certificate or ‘vaccine passports’ issued by individual countries will not replace any travel safety measures or restrictions, please check relevant guidelines when making travel plans. Click here for more detailed information from Stena Line.

Face mask information

Do I have to wear a facemask?
Yes. In accordance with public health guidelines it is mandatory to wear face coverings where social distancing isn’t possible at our ports and on board all vessels on the Irish Sea, North Sea, on the ferry Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and on the route between Denmark-Sweden and Poland-Sweden.

When did the new rules come into force?
From 10th July face coverings are mandatory for all passengers on services on the Irish Sea and North Sea. From September this also applies on the route between Denmark-Sweden, Poland-Sweden and on the ferry Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

What Stena Line routes does this recommendation apply to?
Face coverings are to be worn by all passengers on all routes on the Irish and North Sea, including our service to France. And on the route between Denmark-Sweden, Poland-Sweden and on the ferry Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Why is Stena Line implementing recommending face coverings be worn?
In accordance with public health guidelines we have added face-coverings to our already extensive COVID-19 safety measures, which are intended to safeguard both the health of our passengers and crew and to ensure maximum safety whilst travelling by ferry.

Why are Stena Line requesting face coverings be worn when Wales has indicated that they are not mandatory when travelling on ferries?
While they are not mandatory in Wales, the Welsh Assembly has recommended that they be worn by passengers when travelling on public transport. We would like to apply the same standards of care and safety to all our routes and to avoid confusion for passengers we have applied the mandatory face coverings rule uniformly across all our services.

Do I have to wear a mask or will other types of face coverings work?
Passengers do not have to wear medical grade face masks. Homemade coverings or other types of face coverings are fine as long as they cover both mouth and nose e.g. a bandana or scarf. Follow UK government advice here www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering

When should I wear a face covering?
Face coverings are to be worn whenever you are onboard our vessels or in our terminals, wherever social distancing isn’t possible. Examples include: embarkation and disembarkation, when queuing, or when moving around in enclosed spaces, such as stairs or corridors.

What social distancing measures are Stena Line applying?
Guidelines from regulatory authorities in some countries have indicated that where 2m is not viable, such as on public transport, then 1m social distancing is permitted if face coverings are worn. Where possible passengers should socially distance at least 2m at all other times.

If Stena Line are applying social distancing then why do I have to wear face coverings?
By combining face coverings and social distancing we aim to make ferry travel as safe as possible for our customers.

How will I eat or drink?
Passengers do not need to wear a face covering when eating or drinking as long as social distancing is adhered to. We recommend passengers should put their face coverings back on when moving about the restaurant and once they have finished their meal.

What about smoking?
Stena Line vessels have designated smoking areas on the external decks of the ship. Passengers will not be recommended to wear face coverings when smoking in these areas. However, face masks must are recommended be worn when walking to and from designated smoking areas.

Who is exempt from wearing masks?
Children under the age of eleven and individuals with a breathing condition, illness or disability that prevents or hinders them from wearing a face covering are exempt from this recommendation.

How long will this recommendation will be in place?
This recommendation to wear face coverings will remain in place until further notice and will be reviewed as Government advice relating to the wearing of masks changes.

Is there a link to the UK government guidance?
www.gov.uk/government/news/face-coverings-to-become-mandatory-on-public-transport

Do face coverings need to be worn in the Terminal?
Yes, passengers are requested to wear them whenever they are in a Stena Line building or ferry.

Do face coverings need to be worn on a Stena Line bus?
Yes we recommend wearing face covering whilst onboard any transfer bus to and from the ferry.

Do face coverings need to be worn on the walkway to the ferry?
Yes we are requesting that face coverings be worn whilst walking to and from the ferry.

Will Stena Line be selling face masks at check-in and onboard?
Yes we will be selling face masks for our customers at check-in and onboard our vessels at a cost of £1/€1.

What information and guidance is given to ferry operators to ensure the safety of passengers and crew?

The UK Chamber of Shipping has provided guidance which outlines the measures ferry operators should take to continue to offer safe ferry travel to passengers in the light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and that the safety and well-being of passengers and employees can be assured. You can view the information and guidance here.

Are sailings running between Harwich and Hook of Holland?

Yes, we operate our normal schedule between Hoek van Holland and Harwich and will take several precautions to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for everyone.

The total number of passengers that can travel is limited. This leaves more room for 'social distancing' and allows us to thoroughly clean our cabins.

Are sailings on other routes still running?

Yes, to check which vessels are sailing on the routes to Sweden and Irish Sea, please enter the route on our Sailing updates page.

All passengers are advised to check the latest travel guidelines for their destination before they travel. For the Netherlands these are available at Netherlandsworldwide.nl

Do I need to pre-book?

Due to strict measures we have put in place our ships have limited capacity and availability. Stena Line strongly advise all customers that intend to travel on available routes to book their ticket before arriving at the port. This will allow you to guarantee a space and reduce the likelihood of being turned away for a crossing. You may book your sailing online up to 2 hours before departure.

Can I amend or cancel my booking?

To amend your booking to a new travel date, simply log into My Stena Line and follow the instructions. You'll need your 8-digit booking reference and the e-mail address on the booking. The terms and conditions of the fare type booked apply.

Please read our How to amend your booking instructions.

Which precautions have been taken on board the ferries on the route from Hook of Holland to Harwich?

On the route Hook of Holland - Harwich the following steps have been taken to provide a reliable and comfortable journey for all.

Additional safety and hygiene precautionary measures applied to all Stena Line ferries
Restriction of the passenger capacity to guarantee social distancing
Limitation of the number of onboard outlets available:

Metropolitan restaurant		Closed
Metropolitan bar		Closed
Casino		Gaming tables are closed, but slot machines can still be used throughout the ferries, provided you observe the social distancing rules. It is not possible to exchange coins for bank notes.
Riva Bar		Open
Taste Restaurant		You should clean your hands
		Hot food served but guests must collect meals themselves
		Pre-packed food/drinks served by crew can be chosen by the guests themselves
Happy Kids Corner		Closed
Teen Town		Closed
ATM Cash Machine		Open 1 hour before arrival
Guest Services		Open, including additional products & services
C-View Bar		Closed
Stena Plus Lounge		Open, no magazines, newspapers & self service. Limited availability
Living Room		Open
Shop		Open. Entrance is limited to 7 guests. Disinfect your hands before entering. The use of a shopping basket is mandatory. Limit your shopping time to max. 5 minutes.
Barista		Open
Cinema		Open

With the closure of the Metropolitan restaurant, guests can make use of the Taste buffet restaurant instead. For customers who have an existing reservation for the Metropolitan, simply present your booking confirmation at the till at the Taste buffet restaurant and redeem the amount at this alternative outlet. Please note that there will be no refund: guests will need to spend the entire amount from their original reservation.

Which precautions have been taken on board the ferries on the route from Kiel-Gothenburg?

On the route Kiel-Gothenburg the following steps have been taken to provide a reliable and comfortable journey for all.

We have restructured our food serving process, especially in the Taste Buffet restaurant to allow for additional social distancing and hygiene measures. We offer a served buffet menu combination, consisting of a starter, main course and dessert including wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee and tea.
To keep the social distance at breakfast, you are required to pre-book. On the departure day you will receive a time slot during which we welcome you to the breakfast restaurant. Please help us keeping the social distance by eating breakfast at the proposed time.
Our Riva and C-View bars are also open for you and when we have sunny weather our crew looks forward to seeing you on deck in the Yacht Club.
When arriving in Gothenburg or Kiel, please wait in your cabin. Our intercom system will notify you when to go to down to the car deck for disembarkation. We will also let all foot passengers time for disembarkation via the gangway.

Information about travelling outside the Netherlands in relation to COVID-19

All passengers are advised to check the latest travel guidelines for their destination before they travel. For the Netherlands these are available at Netherlandsworldwide.nl.

Where can I read more about the latest travel advice from the government?

Netherlands:
Government advice

United Kingdom:
Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice

Ireland:
Department of Foreign Affairs advice

Sweden:
Department of Public Health

What are the implications for the insurance cover provided by Allianz?

Information on the coronavirus pandemic's implications for Allianz's insurance cover can be found on their information pages

What will happen to my Extra Loyalty Club Membership?

Due to the difficulties related to Covid-19, we’ve decided to extend points for all members with valid points that were due to expire at the end of 2020, points will now be valid until December 31, 2021.

For all Gold members with a Gold status in 2020, including those that were downgraded up to May (we will automatically upgrade you again from the date you were downgraded) – We will extend your Gold membership for an additional 12 months.

Mon-Fri	09:00 - 17:00
Sat	10:00 - 15:00