Travel News For Seafarers

What’s open? Where can you fly to? Stay informed.

By Cissi Carlsson • 03 May 2021

Travel news for seafarers around the world

For information on international travel for seafarers, we recommend you check out the regular vlogs with Yachting International Radio and Blue Marine Travel.

Presented every week by Lee Harris and Rhea Rouw, these updates are invaluable and give you all the latest news.
Visit their YouTube page today and start making plans!

Restrictions in Spain

From Sunday 6th June the following is expected to be in place in Mallorca:
No curfew!
Parks and beaches open from 06.00 to 22.00.
Gyms and indoor sport activities open at 75% capacity, max 20/25 people.
Cinemas, 2/3 capacity with a seat between household groups.
Shops back to normal business hours and at full capacity.
Restaurants and bars open all day until midnight; interior 50% capacity and max 4 per table, no limit on outside capacity but max 8 people per table.
At home, you’re allowed 10 people inside and 15 people if outside.

Officially re-opening from June 7th to all those who have been vaccinated, passengers will not need to quarantine or self-isolate.


Here are the current conditions in Spain, specifically the Balearic Islands:

● Spain is now open to all travellers from the UK with no requirement for proof of vaccination nor PCR test. Locator form still required.
● No yacht restrictions, subject to arrival health declarations and PCR tests (taken within 72 hrs) with the exception of the UK.
● All Spanish waters are open for cruising and recreation as normal.
● Hospitality is open on terraces every day until 23:00 and interiors at 30-50% capacity.
● Curfew from 00:00 - 06:00 (expected to be removed 6th June).
● Groups ashore may be no more than 8 anywhere, 6 at home while max people per dinner/bar table is 4 persons.
● Limit onboard is ten guests, plus crew. No limits now on household mixing.
● Shops are open 7 days, with no capacity restrictions and closing at 10pm for non-essential items.
● Arrivals by air from South Africa and Brazil, including crew, must quarantine for 10 days, or release after 7 days with PCR.
● We are aware that owners/guests on private flights have arrived successfully from outside Schengen and ‘prohibited’ countries.


Source: Estela Shipping.

Fort Lauderdale

There are no travel restrictions to Florida!
For all you lucky crew who are in the area, please note that all our recruitment is now being dealt with by our European offices in Palma and Antibes, but our training school is fully open and we are welcoming crew.

The Ft. Lauderdale, Florida training center is running a full schedule of courses.

In addition, we will be remaining open this summer (2021) with courses running, get in touch with us to find out more.

We are following recommended COVID-19 protocols such as reduced capacity in all of our courses, masks continue to be required and we are ensuring social distancing in our training center.

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Restrictions in France

Planning to travel to France for work?
Here are a few things you need to know, and the links to the official papers you need to complete when travelling.

Curfew is in place across the entire country from 21:00 until 06:00 every day with further positive steps planned for the below dates, but there is a new change to UK arrivals from the 31st May:

31st May:
- Only essential travel from the UK to France is permitted.
- People who are resident in France – including British residents – will not need to prove a vital reason to return to France but will need to show proof of residency.
- Anyone entering France from the UK will need to show a negative PCR or antigen test taken within the previous 48 hours (not within 72 hours as was previously the rule).
- All arrivals should self-isolate for seven days.
- The testing and quarantine rules will apply to all arrivals into France from the UK, including French citizens and people who have their permanent residence in France.
- At present, until the launch of the health passport due shortly, France’s travel rules apply to everyone, even if they are fully vaccinated.


Since the 19th May:
There is no longer any limit on your movement around France.
Curfew moved to 21:00.
Shops, businesses, malls, museums, cinemas and theatres are open.
Outdoor sports are now allowed.
Restaurants and bars serving food have opened their terraces, limited to 6 per table.
Allowed to mix socially with up to 10 people.

From 9th June we are expecting the following:
International travel more widely accepted.
Curfew to move to 23:00.
More cafes and bars to open, still limited to 6 per table.
Sporting arenas possibly open with up to 5000 people.

From 30th June we are expecting the following:
No more curfew!
Possibility to host events up to 1000 people (inside and outside)

This will all be reviewed and we will keep you updated as we know more.

Travel during curfew:
Whilst the curfew is in place, you will need a document to move around, and if you are out during the hours of curfew please ensure you complete this document. It is called an ’attestation’ and is available in English on the link provided.

There is also a mobile version for you to complete on your phone.
Complete the details and then select ’’Générer mon attestation’’.

For more details on the restrictions in France please click here for all the information in English.

How to: COVID-19 testing in France

If you are based in France and need to apply for a COVID-19 test ahead of travel, please click on the below website and follow the instructions.

If you need any help with the translation, please click here and follow the step-by-step guide.

Website to book your COVID-19 test.

Once completed, you will receive a confirmation email along with a pdf that you need to show when you arrive for the appointment.
The results generally arrive via email within 6-8 hours but may take longer.

How to : COVID-19 testing in Mallorca

To book your COVID-19 test in Palma, please click on the following links (information is available in English).

The following hospitals are offering COVID-19 testing:

Clinica Rotger
Results in 12-24hrs
PCR 98€
Antigen tests available
Drop in Monday-Friday 08.00-20.00
Saturday 08.00-14.00, Sunday 08.00-13.00

Palma Planas
Results in 12-24hrs
PCR 98€
Antigen tests available
Drop in Monday-Friday 08.00-20.00
Saturday 08.00-14.00, Sunday 08.00-13.00

Clinica Miramar
Results in 24hrs
PCR 90€
Antigen tests 30€
Drop in every day 08.00-22.00

Clinica Juaneda
Results in 24hrs
PCR 90€
Antigen tests 30€
Drop in every day 08.00-22.00