Cruise Lines That Don't Require Vaccine and Pre-Cruise Testing While guests over the age of five previously had to be vaccinated, starting in early September, unvaccinated passengers under the age of 12 are now allowed to board. In order to facilitate pre-cruise testing requirements, Norwegian has partnered with Inspired Diagnostics lab to ensure that guests have access to a quick, efficient and easy way to access the required FDA-approved proctored in-home antigen test prior to embarkation from the comfort of their own home. Cond Nast Traveler may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Cruisers have been patiently waiting and there is pent-up demand. Yes, we welcome all guests to sail with us, regardless of vaccination status and age, and with no testing or masking requirements. Local regulations may have vaccine requirements to enter certain countries make sure to checkTravel Requirements by Countryto understand country specific requirements about accepted vaccines. In addition, guests will be required to agree to abide by all of the cruise line's health and safety protocols and acknowledge the risks associated with COVID-19 during their voyage and shoreside experiences. Guests will no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result prior to departing home. Guests may also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test by an accredited third-party with results from within two days of embarkation, if they choose. How long will the vaccine requirement be in place for cruise passengers? See the full list of vaccines approved by the WHO here. A line-by-line guide. As to what percentage of his clients he thinks are unvaccinated and will be affected by this announcement, he estimates no higher than around 10%. It's possible a cruise line may accept one shot of a viral vector vaccine, such as AstraZeneca, and one shot of an mRNA vaccine, but this practice of mixing for a COVID-19 vaccine primary series isn't authorized yet in the US. Unvaccinated people are now over 10 times more likely to get hospitalized with COVID-19 andover 10 times more likely to die from the diseasethan fully vaccinated people, according to a September CDC report. The cruise line may also require a test at the pier, paid for by the cruise line.) However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. That's because cruise ships, with their tight quarters, buffet-style living and international travel, can be a breeding ground for the coronavirus. All rights reserved. Local regulations may have booster requirements to enter certain countries make sure to check Travel Requirements by Country to understand country specific requirements. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding. The reality is even if you booked a cruise with the assumption you were going to be on a ship where everyone is vaccinated and tested, that may no longer be the case. Are there any onboard activities that will not be available? Vaccination will be critical in the safe resumption of cruising . SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (August 12, 2022) - Princess Cruises today announced updated COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, removing the vaccine requirement for most voyages of less than 16 days so that anyone can cruise, and adjusting pre-travel testing requirements to make it less complicated. Viking will continue to do onboard testings for any passengers who report symptoms. To board Carnival ships, unvaccinated guests need to show a negative PCR or an antigen test within three days of boarding (self-tests are now accepted by Carnival for boarding purposes). Vaccines must be approved for use by the country they are sailing from. Viking Cruises has decided to eliminate pre-voyage testing. Boarding Requirements FAQ | Royal Caribbean Cruises Disney Cruise Line became the first cruise line to requirepassengers as young as 5 to be vaccinated for sailings starting Jan. 13. Delivered on weekdays. Royal Caribbean will require vaccinations for some. The requirements depend on the cruise line. Political buffoonery: Cruise lines head for showdown with DeSantis over vaccine requirement ban, Thanks in large part to the successful rollout of vaccines, the world of adventure is beginning to open up, and we are all excited to start delivering great vacations to our guests, who have increasingly told us they are getting vaccinated, Bayley said in the statement. Outbreak updates for international cruise ships. Lets get cruising! Our crew will continue to maintain our stringent hygiene protocols based upon the most up-to-date guidelines from the European Healthy Gateways, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Greek health authorities.. Starting March 11, 2023, proof of vaccination for sailings to or from Europe will no longer be required. Unvaccinated guests are required to be tested. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean International on Friday announced plans to bring back six more ships including some of its largest for U.S. sailings starting July 2. Even so, Celestyal suggests all guests test prior to travel, regardless of vaccination status, but test results will no longer be checked next year. It seems most cruise lines are following the CDC's definition of fully vaccinated, which means two weeks have passed since your second shot of Pfizer or Moderna, or since your one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot. All guests are required to accept the terms and conditions in our guest ticket contract. Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be charged to the guests' account. Our long-awaited revisions to our testing and vaccination requirements bring us closer in line with the rest of society, which has learned to adapt and live with COVID-19, and makes it simpler and easier for our loyal guests to cruise on our three best-in-class brands, said Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of NCLH. Do I need another booster? So, if you're planning your next vacation to include traveling by cruise ship, consider staying up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines. Health and safety is our top priority, and we will continue to modify our robust SailSafe program as the public health environment evolves. Fee is also hopeful that the remainder of cruise lines will follow suit soon. Now many brand loyalists are chatting about jumping ship, so to speak, to a Norwegian company if their otherwise preferred cruise line does not also do away with vaccine requirements in the near future. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. Its pre-boarding tests requirements have also been scaled back. Since then, cruise lines around the world have been cautiously dropping their pre-embarkation requirements. The Crystal Symphony. Cruise lines have their own rules; countries have their own rules. Guests over the age of six will need to show a negative rapid antigen test within 48 hours, or a negative PCR test within 72 hours. Disney Cruise LineBeginning September 2, for sailings departing U.S. and Canadian ports, guests ages 12 and older are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing. This website uses cookies. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations that continue to require vaccinations. Additional terms and conditions may apply, see our COVID- 19 Policies and Procedures and your Cruise Ticket Contract for details. Testing at home is safe, simple, and convenient. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine before your cruise is not only cost effective, but it could save your life. On March 19, 2021, Celebrity Cruises announced that Celebrity Millennium would begin cruises out of St. Maarten on June 5, 2021. But as noted above, some lines make exceptions to vaccination rules for young children. As Guidelines Change, Heres What Its Like to Cruise Right Now, The 2023 Cruise Itineraries to Book Before They Sell Out, The Best New Cruises in the World: 2022 Hot List, These Airlines Are Finally Letting Families Sit Together, Free of Charge, A Proposed Federal Law Could Give Bumped Airline Passengers At Least $1,350 in Compensation, dropped its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, guests who are vaccinated will no longer have to take a pre-boarding antigen test. The CDC director answered your questions. For additional information, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. Carnival Cruise Line Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages except. Even if your particular cruise line does not have a pre-travel testing requirement, test one to three days before your trip anyway to minimize the risk to others. Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. They included vaccination requirements for anyone age 12 and up (some companies such as Disney Cruise Line later went with a 5 and up requirement as vaccinations became available for younger children), precruise testing requirements, mandatory masking in public areas, social distancing, and other measures the CDC said would help contain the spread of COVID-19 on cruise ships. Norwegian Cruise Line, which has not been approved to restart, has said it will initially require everyone on board to be vaccinated. It also allows you to search by test type PCR or Antigen. Regent Seven Seas CruisesAs with sister lines Norwegian and Oceania, vaccinated guests age 12 are not required to have any precruise COVID-19 testing or other protocols. Many popular cruise lines have eliminated the vaccine and pre-embarkation test as the industry is beginning to shift away from mandatory vaccines and testing. Have Fun. Be Safe. Guidelines | Carnival Cruise Line Looking for a family cruise on Disney's cruise line? Some ships can hold more than 5,400 passengers at two to a room. Additional travel restrictions for certain nationalities or countries may arise based on the quickly evolving public health environment. Rules may be different depending on requirements of locales visited. If you're vaccinated, that decreases your chances of having a positive test and having to skip your trip at the last minute. If your cruise line does not have a specific testing requirement, get tested as close to time of cruise departure as possible (no more than 3 days before you travel). All vessels will have COVID-19 testing capabilities on board and results onsite. Our Health Screening Measures (listed in section 2 below) promote health and safety onboard and help minimise the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. FDA Panel Endorses Updated COVID Shots for All, Regardless of Vaccination Status, When To Get Boosted After Having a COVID-19 Breakthrough Infection, How Effective Are the Bivalent Boosters? COVID-19 requirements may differ in destinations that have specific mandates, such as Canada, Greece and Bermuda. We encourage all guests to file a claim with their travel insurance carrier for reimbursement inquiries. Vaccinations are optional. Starting with departures from October 8, 2022, guests who are vaccinated will no longer have to take a pre-boarding antigen test 48 hours before departure, if the itinerary starts in South America, the Caribbean, the United Arab Emirates, and the Mediterranean (with the exception of Greece). Norwegian still strongly recommends that all guests be up to date on their vaccination status and test at their convenience before travel. Guests can rest assured that their health and safety are our top priority and measures will be communicated in a timely manner ahead of our return to sailing., Latest on the cruise comeback: Rogue wave incident | Overboard passenger saved | Covid hits Sydney cruise | Carnival fining unruly passengers | Unvaccinated passengers welcomed | Cheap cruises | No more CDC stats | Record bookings | Rape lawsuit | Carnival fire | Passenger bill of rights | CDC drops cruise warnings | Passenger overboard | Crystal ships seized. The reasons for the changes are clear: 1) the CDC is no longer requiring specific COVID protocols for cruising; 2) cruise lines want more business. That's hard to say because it depends on the state of the pandemic at any given time. NAAT test (i.e., PCR) within 48 hours of embarkation date. Starting September 2, 2022, for voyages from United States and Canadian ports, Disney Cruise Line requires that all vaccine-eligible guests (ages 12 and older) be fully vaccinated in order to cruise, including children. This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. Precruise testing is required for all guests. Which Cruise Lines Have a COVID Vaccine Requirement? Or will NCL offer testing onboard to meet travel requirements for guests flying back to countries that require negative COVID-19 test results to re-enter the country post cruise? The cruise line continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel. And you may have to be vaccinated or not. Windstar will also administer for each passenger a complimentary COVID-19 test prior to sailing. Once booked and on board, passengers should take the appropriate precautions, but they should also remember to have funit is a vacation!. The pandemic after the pandemic: Long covid haunts millions of people. While other cruise lines may not officially require vaccinations for kids that young yet, they may in the future. All guests are advised to monitor and comply with applicable travel restrictions. Yes, we offer guests the option to purchase travel protection plans. Carnival Cruise Line Only passengers on sailings to Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia, plus cruises of 16 nights or more, need to be fully vaccinated. However, we encourage all guests to follow the vaccination and testing guidance outlined above. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). Still, there are exceptions. This could include but is not limited to proof of a specific negative COVID-19 test result or Booster. The world has been reopening quickly and once more, we are pleased to welcome all travelers, of all ages, to safely explore the world with comfort and ease aboard the small, luxurious ships of Oceania Cruises.. READ NEXT: 18 Most Unique Cruise Ship Bars in 2022. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. All passengers must be vaccinated. However, since cruise operations have resumed, a large portion of social media comments and discussions among cruise travelers have centered around vaccinations, and COVID-19 restrictions more broadly. (Note: This information is accurate as of February 7, 2023. Boosters are required for those age 18 and up who completed tests more than nine months prior to the cruise. The CDC also has detailed recommendations for travel during the pandemic, both for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers as well as for cruise travel. In the event you or any member of your traveling party tests positive for COVID-19 in the 10 days before your cruise departs, or at the boarding terminal, you and your traveling p. What You Need to Know About Norwegian Cruise Lines Premium+ Drink Package, 12 Things to Know Before Sailing Royal Caribbean, Carnival Drops Pre-Cruise Testing & Vaccination Requirements, NCLH Drops COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements, Welcomes Everyone to Sail, Cruise News Recap | Week of February 5, 2023, Philippines Welcomes First International Cruise Ship in Three Years, Pre-Cruise Entertainment Reservations Now Available on Norwegian Cruise Line. As of today, 90 percent of all vacationers booking with Royal Caribbean are either vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated in time for their cruise.. Yes. We have also enhanced our onboard medical capabilities with additional staffing and enhanced facilities. Also called a "bivalent" booster, the updated booster became available for people aged 511 on October 12, 2022. Travel is making its grand comeback, and were looking forward to the continued momentum from consumers around the world, Celebrity President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said last month. On February 18, Crystal Cruises said it would require guests to receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before a cruise. In a statement, the cruise lines president and CEO, Michael Bayley, thanked elected officials including Gov. This article was originally published in May 2022; it was most recently updated on August 17, 2022, with current information. Vaccines are still required for cruises in the Bahamas and Caribbean; precruise testing is not required for vaccinated guests on cruises of less than six nights. With Sail Safe, our industry leading Health & Safety Program, we will continue to put our guests and our crew members first by keeping everyone safe and healthy on board our ships and in the communities we visit. Additionally, some cruise lines require unvaccinated people to present a negative test taken within a few days of boarding. This is the news weve been waiting for, said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners. A tidal wave has followed, with other cruise lines announcing similar changes. A couple of the factors in that unique combination are crowded spaces and tight quarters. COVID-19 Cruise Health & Safety Protocols | Celebrity Cruises Viking CruisesAll passengers and crew are required to be vaccinated on Vikings river and ocean shipswithout exception. And the rules are constantly changing. Jessica is a writer on the Wellness team with a focus on health news. The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. (If testing is required it can typically be either a PCR test or tele-health-monitored antigen test, paid for by the passenger. Earlier this month, the Miami-based cruise line dropped vaccination requirements for passengersunless their cruise itinerary stops at ports in destinations that require the inoculation (Canada, Australia, and New Zealand for those 12 and older; Galapagos for those three and older). For cruises longer than 15 nights, a medically supervised COVID-19 test is required for all guests, and most passengers are required to be vaccinated. We know from our advisors that their unvaccinated clients have been waiting for this announcement, and I have no doubt that we will see a spike in cruise bookings, Fee said. Also, crew members may work multiple voyages, passing on germs transmitted from previous passengers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Travel news, guides and tips for anyone looking to get away. Will all guests be required to be vaccinated prior to the cruise? There are a few reasons why viruses and diseases can spread quickly on cruise ships. Our ships have been sailing very full all summer, but there is still room for more of our loyal guests and these guidelines will make it a simpler process and make cruising accessible to those who were not able to meet the protocols we were required to follow for much of the past 14 months, said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival. Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing - Travel For other agents, the business benefits remain to be seen. The testing and masking requirement specifics may differ by cruise or length of sail, but everyone age 2 and older should be prepared to be tested for COVID-19 before boarding, or during the journey when applicable, regardless of vaccination status. Check out our variety of itineraries. The protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, including Canada, Australia, and Greece. Before your trip, you will need to review your cruise lines health and safety protocols. There are still some cruise lines that have not yet indicated they will relax their COVID protocols, though their numbers are dwindling. Starting Sept. 3, 2022, unvaccinated passengers ages 12 and older (or guests who cannot or decline to present proof of vaccination), need to provide a medically administrated negative PCR or antigen COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of boarding. Were thrilled that NCLH has updated their sailing guidelines to welcome unvaccinated guests and adjust testing requirements.. Starting in September, a larger number of unvaccinated travelers will be allowed onboard cruise ships both big and small on select routes but will be required to be tested for COVID first. Spice up your small talk with the latest tech news, products and reviews. RELATED: NCLH Drops COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements, Welcomes Everyone to Sail. One Cruise Planners franchise owner in San Diego, Calif. has yet to record an immediate boost in bookings. We have improved our onboard medical capabilities with additional staffing directly related to sailing capacity, new and upgraded equipment and enhanced facilities. Bottom line: If you've been vaccinated against COVID-19 outside of the US, check with your cruise line to make sure they accept your vaccine before putting any money down. Royal Caribbean did not answer a question about whether its decision not to require vaccinations for passengers was a result of the states bans. Will any countries visited during the cruise require additional testing to enter the country? These guidelines will make it a simpler process, and make cruising accessible for those who were not able to meet the protocols that we were required to follow for much of the past 14 months, Carnivals president Christine Duffy said in a statement last month. (Unvaccinated guests will have to undergo special testing onboard to visit Spain or Greece.) It's also possible that cruise lines could ease up on their pandemic measures in the near future and stop requiring proof of vaccination for passengers. If you are allowed onboard, you will need to be tested precruise, which is required for unvaccinated children as well. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages. *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. The changes began shortly. Not only will being fully vaccinated help protect you from getting seriously ill with COVID-19, but it can also help protect those around you,Thomas Russo, MD,professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo, toldHealth. The health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we serve is our top priority and we continue to monitor and adjust to the evolving global situation, Celestyals Chief Commercial Officer Leslie Peden said in a statement. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) is officially the first company to welcome unvaccinated travelers onboard its cruise brands Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises without any capacity limits, and the industry response is one largely of praise. Some Cruise Lines to No Longer Require COVID Vaccines - AFAR - AFAR Media The US doesn't issue certificates of recovery at this time, so telling the cruise line you already had COVID-19 won't get you a vaccine exemption. The cruise line . Before you book -- and especially if you're looking at cruises months ahead -- it's important to consider the spread of COVID-19 in countries or ports where your ship will stop, and that's regardless of your vaccination status. Additionally, the following services offer a verified third party or medically supervised at home testing:eMed or BioReference-Scarlett Concierge testing service BioReference sends a trained Scarlet Health Professional to your home to collect your COVID-19 test specimen. On most sailings, kids and teens ages 17 and under do not have a vaccine requirement. Travel tips you can trust. Our CareTeam will assist with daily wellbeing check-ins . These regulations are continuously evolving and if an additional test is required at a port of call we will provide advanced notice to all guests. Previously, the number was 95 percent for passengers. What if I test positive for COVID-19 before my cruise? Most major cruise lines require proof of vaccination for all passengers age 12 and up, and some require them for kids as young as 5 years old (Pfizer's vaccine was authorized for kids ages 5 to 11 at the beginning of November). Guests who fail to agree to these terms and conditions will not be permitted to board. Unvaccinated guests will only need to submit a self-administered test taken within three days of sailing. Royal Caribbean Reported a COVID-19 Outbreak on the World's Biggest Cruise Ship, A US Cruise Ship Had a COVID Outbreak Even Though Full Vaccination Was RequiredHere's What You Should Know, CDC Stops Reporting COVID-19 Cases on Cruise ShipsHere's How You Can Still Stay Safe. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, should expect to be tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding a cruise ship. COVID-19 vaccine exemptions at Carnival's Long Beach, California port will only be accepted for kids under age 12 and when "required by US federal law" due to religious beliefs or medical reasons. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All guests 18 and older must be vaccinated to sail, plus one booster shot if eligible. On ocean, lakes, and expedition ships that visit Canada, there is a free COVID-19 test (antigen) at the precruise hotel check-in on the day prior to embarkation until further notice. What completed travel documents do I need to board the ship? For specific country requirements, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. Putting it all together: If your cruise line is even accepting medical exemptions around a COVID-19 vaccine, presenting valid proof of the exemption is critical. Despite the law, two of the biggest cruise lines, Carnival and Norwegian have decided to impose proof-of-vaccination requirements, according to information published on their websites.. The Miami-based operator will not require passengers to be vaccinated. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources. Paul Gauguin CruisesVaccinations are required for all passengers over age 5. Related: Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? If a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while on board, what costs are covered? Guests on cruises longer than 16 nights will have to test if stopping in destinations that require tests locally (like Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia; these destinations require the tests to be supervised). FDA, CDC expand Pfizer & Moderna bivalent vaccines to kids 6 months and up with Sandra Fryhofer, MD. Guests who have symptoms of COVID-19 whilst onboard should immediately contact the onboard medical centre for further instruction. Note: There may be additional requirements if you are traveling internationally, and the rules can changesometimes overnight. Unvaccinated guests are welcome on most voyages, except for those that visit destinations where local regulations vary, including Australia. All onboard venues and activities will be available unless staffing or other challenges onboard prevent normal operations. (Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.) I believe that eventually all cruise lines will drop as many restrictions as they can, Jones adds. "We have been waiting a long time for this moment to arrive, Oceanias president and CEO Howard Sherman said in a statement. Viking River Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises require all guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before travel. Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test in order to embark on the second leg of a back-to-back sailing? Norwegian Cruise Line | Sail Safe | Health & Safety Protocols did not go that far. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.