India's largest manning company providing highly skilled personnel for Carnival Corporation brands - Carnival Support Services India Pvt. Ltd. (CSSI), will conduct a COVID-19 vaccination drive in Mumbai for crew administrated by the company. The crew from India working for P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, P&O Cruises Australia, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn and Carnival Cruise Line will be able to get vaccinated in the following days and the cost will be paid by Carnival Corporation.

Several crew members said they were informed by the recruiting agency about the vaccination drive via email letting them know that they need to register to book an appointment. The email which was shared by the crew reads:

“Good News!

Carnival Support Services India Pvt. Ltd. (CSSI). in partnership with Maritime Association of Shipowners Shipmanagers and Agents (MASSA) has organized a COVID-19 vaccination drive for seafarers of all Carnival Corporation &plc brands in Mumbai on 14 and 15 June 2021. The vaccine that will be administrated during this drive is Covishield, and the cost of the vaccine will be paid by Carnival Corporation & plc.

Location of the vaccination drive is Goregaon West, Mumbai for all Carnival Corporation &plc seafarers administrated by CSSI and does not include family members.”

One crew member said that the response was good and many crew members signed up to get vaccinated.

The crew member said the vaccination rollout in India is speeding up and many seafarers are getting vaccinated in some states after the government listed them as frontline workers. In some states such as Goa, Kolkata, Kerela, and Mumbai vaccination for seafarers has already started while in others seafarer vaccination will start after the 21st of June.

During the past month, Carnival organized vaccination for crew in various ports, but this is the first time cruise line to sponsor vaccination drive in their country of residence.