Therefore, people who are vaccinated should not be worried about getting infected from those who arent. Will Lines Still Require a Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Test Before a Cruise? MSC is a popular choice for passengers looking for relatively affordable fares. Editors note: This post has been updated with new information. The question for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian becomes which changes will lead to the most passengers on their ships? Alaska Disney River Viking Norwegian Caribbean Carnival Hawaii Viking Search CRUISEINFO CLUB CRUISEINFO CLUB Alaska Disney River Viking Norwegian Caribbean Carnival Hawaii Viking CRUISEINFO CLUB These Cruise Lines Are Requiring Passengers To Wear Masks Again All The Details. As protocols change rapidly, here is our rundown of current cruise line COVID-19 practices and policies: There are a number of vaccines available around the world. For instance, Princess Cruises maintains a list of Enhanced Guidelines Voyages, and its CruiseHeath look-up tool is available to anyone. Vaccinated passengers dont need to test unless visiting Canada, Bermuda, Greece or Australia and on trips of 16 nights or longer. Other cruise lines have also slowly restarted operations in Australia, including Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. These included recommendations that ships continue to require pre-cruise testing and for passengers to be vaccinated. We expect approximately 90 percent of our guests will be vaccinated. Unvaccinated passengers will need to test before boarding. Policy: Masks are not required onboard, except for in a few select indoor locations. Norwegian Cruise Line*, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean* International, for example, are all headquartered in the US, which means they must follow the guidelines set out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention even when theyre sailing outside of the country. While most cruise lines require adults to be vaccinated right now, unvaccinated readers want to know when the vaccine mandate may go away. VERIFY: Do cruise passengers have to show proof of vaccination? Will masks be required on cruise ships in 2022? Unvaccinated cruises passengers must wear masks, while vaccinated passengers dont. COVID-19 vaccine exemptions at Carnivals 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. For passengers who are 5 and older and fully vaccinated, a COVID test is not required, but proof of vaccination is needed. As the cruise industry has made its way back from its covid-related March 2020 through July 2021 closure, a lot of people have put off cruising until it returned to normal. Thats a relative word, however, as your normal and my normal may not be the same. Cruise vacations are a great way to explore the world and have a fun and relaxing time. Carnival Cruise Line and local health authorities will continue to monitor local COVID-19 case levels and will make appropriate adjustments to the policy, as well as to other onboard protocols, to safeguard cruise guests, crew members, and port communities. The governor is dictatorially imposing his will on Florida businesses trying to protect their customers, including cruise lines on whom our agriculture industry depends for millions in food sales, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a statement to NBC News. This article was originally published in February 2022. As of last week, masks arent required for vaccinated guests on Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean. We had somewhere in the neighborhood of 4000 passengers on board and I would venture to guess that less than 2% wore masks. Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Cruise Line. Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? If you have received one of these shots, then you should be good to go. If Cruises Sail With Vaccinated & Unvaccinated Passengers, Is Everything Back to Normal? Norwegian Cruise Line , the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced that it has updated its global health and safety protocols by removing all COVID-19 testing, masking and vaccination requirements effective Oct. 4, 2022. Youll find expert advice for experienced and first-time cruisers, as well as port and destination guides. The agency currently recommends cruise passengers be up to date with their vaccinations including their most recent recommended booster dose and take a test a maximum of three days before embarkation no matter their vaccination status, according to its website. The guidance also makes it clear that 90% is what a high proportion of travelers means. MIAMI, Oct. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ Norwegian Cruise Line , the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced that it has updated its global health and safety protocols by removing all COVID-19 testing, masking and vaccination requirements effective Oct. 4, 2022. Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. - As of July 25, 2022, the line no longer requires pre-cruise testing unless . The CDC updated its guidelines on July 18 so that vaccination is no longer a requirement instead, its merely recommended. American Queen VoyagesOn this lines river, ocean, Great Lakes and expedition ships, all passengers are required to be vaccinated. All guests aged 4 and older are required to have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding. In addition, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian sail to a lot more ports than Virgin Voyages does, and cruise ships must also comply with local rules (and some destinations require vaccinations for anyone ages 12 and over even if they dont get off the ship. Here's the current list of cruise lines that do not require Covid vaccines to sail, for travelers who cannot or choose not to get the shot. In turn, each operator has prepared their own cruise vaccination policy that is designed to work across all destinations they service. As the major cruise lines prepare to relaunch from U.S. ports this summer, they have not yet been as frank with unvaccinated passengers as they need to be about how their cruise experience will stack up next to that of their vaccinated cruise mates. Note: In order to be considered fully vaccinated, passengers must have received their final shot at least 15 days prior to embarkation. For Celebrity, that means cruises leaving from Los Angeles, the U.K. and Europe but not Ireland. Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? 2. Note that in some cases, the restrictions may depend on your departure point and the ships home port so always check before sailing. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. Carnival no longer requires masks on its ships. This new polic went into effect yesterday, September 3, 2022. The changes are subject to local restrictions, such as those in Bermuda, Canada and Greece, and dont include voyages in Australia or trips that are 16 or more nights. On Alaska voyages between Whittier and Vancouver, they are required on the ship when indoors. Children who are not old enough to be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine must present a negative antigen or PCR test result taken within 72 hours of embarkation. Masks continue to be required for unvaccinated guests in indoor public areas. Read Also: How Much Are Cruises Out Of Galveston. If Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian allow for unvaccinated adults but keep the 90% vaccinated number that could limit how many families can book cruises on those lines, which are marketed as family cruise lines. The line also warns that masks could be required by some ports of call its ships visit. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. A precruise test is no longer required on the river ships. On ocean, lakes, and expedition ships that visit Canada, there is a free COVID-19 test at the precruise hotel check-in on the day prior to embarkation until further notice. Disney Cruise Line, which recently welcomed . Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. Until recently, Virgin Voyages had a simple policy. : Yes American Queen is even vaccinating its shoreside employees. Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may designate areas as only accessible to fully vaccinated passengers and crew where masks and physical distancing are not required (e.g., casinos . Some may also require pre-board testing for unvaccinated people. 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. Most major cruise lines still require passengers to be fully vaccinated, including having the relevant booster jabs. Cruising is a popular way to explore the world, and many travelers are eager to get back on the open seas. Disney said that changes to the policies are subject to local rules. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. Effective September 3, 2022, Regent Seven Seas will welcome guests of all ages back regardless of vaccination status. This article contains links which are ads and if you click on a link and buy a product we will earn revenue. With the update, Disney will require passengers aged 5 and older who are unvaccinated to provide a negative COVID test taken one to two days prior to embarkment. In an abundance of caution in response to recent cases reported onboard cruise ships, Carnival Cruise Line has reintroduced mandatory mask wearing policies for the cruise lines sailings in Australia. Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? If you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider about the risks of traveling. Unvaccinated passengers will be required to show a negative test for all trips. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks may be required in public areas on the ship . Using the searchable directory at the International Society of Travel Medicinecan connect you with a provider based on your location or specific needs.When you book an appointment with a travel medicine clinic, theyll ask you for your specific itinerary and vaccination history, and can usually provide any necessary vaccines on-site. 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. The question for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian becomes which changes will lead to the most passengers on their ships? - All other cruises still require proof of initial vaccination and a booster until further notice. In fact, apart from vaccines and testing, the onboard experience has returned to exactly what it was before the pandemic. Some lines, however, may still require one or more protocols to be adhered to, either on a voyage-by-voyage basis or on a destination-basis. Youll find expert advice for experienced and first-time cruisers, as well as port and destination guides. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line began waiving vaccination and testing requirements in October. According to Royal Caribbeans website, the cruise line is working with local governments in the Eastern Caribbean to align on vaccination requirements for more itineraries.. Now, the cruise brand owned by billionaire Richard Branson has quietly decided to allow some unvaccinated sailors, as it calls its passengers, on its upcoming voyages. MSC is a popular choice for passengers looking for relatively affordable fares. There are, of course, also some passengers who have not sailed because they are not vaccinated or dont care to share their vaccination status with a cruise line. In other health protocol-related news, last week Norwegian Cruise Line announced that as of today, it will be allowing unvaccinated kids under 12 to sail on its ships. As of the fall of 2022, many cruise line have dropped vaccination, testing and masking requirements. Compare and find the best cruise deals. For instance, a Panama Canal cruise making a stop in Colombia triggers vaccine requirements for ports later in the itinerary. Now, a recent shift has led to cruise lines removing those hurdles as well. The CDC updated its guidelines on July 18 so that vaccination is no longer a requirement instead, its merely recommended. Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot. Cruise vaccination requirements will vary by cruise line, where you embark from and which ports of call you choose. Currently, booster shots are not required for any passengers. However, the cruise line did recently relax testing requirements for vaccinated passengers, with a reference that vaccine rules could also drop sometime in the future: MSC Cruises will continue to monitor pandemic conditions and port requirements outside of the U.S., with a goal to relax testing and vaccination protocols to open cruising to all guests, while prioritizing the health and safety of its guests, crew and destinations.. However, from December 1, Azamara will no longer require proof of vaccination for sailings starting and ending in the US or sailings starting and ending in Europe. Children who are aged 4 or younger do not need vaccination proof or a COVID test. 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. If you know a bit about which brands belong to which company, youll recognize that these are all cruise lines under the Carnival Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings umbrellas. With the easing of the Cruise Lines health and safety protocols, NCL will continue to follow the travel guidelines as required by the destinations it visits. Details: Royal Caribbeans latest mask policy. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. In an abundance of caution in response to recent cases reported onboard cruise ships, Carnival Cruise Line has reintroduced mandatory mask wearing policies for the cruise line's. As of December 2022, if it has been at least 2 months since their last dose, children as young as 6 months who completed the Moderna primary series can receive one updated bivalent booster dose. Guests who choose not to be vaccinated or not willing to verify vaccination will be subject to testing and additional health protocols which will be at their expense. When Is The Best Time To Cruise To Alaska, Toyota Fj Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Edition For Sale, Which Is The Best River Cruise Company In Europe. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, said Royal Caribbeans news release. First-time cruisers:3 things to know before stepping foot on the ship, Recommended Reading: Cruise Capital Of The World.