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. Cruises that are 16 nights or longer may have additional requirements based on the itinerary. It wasn't uncommon to see reports of outbreaks ofnorovirus, a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. The big question is, what cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests to sail? All guests should assess their individual risk level and consult with their doctor if needed prior to sailing. Midway COVID tests and daily temperature checks have also been eliminatedhowever, there are exceptions for itineraries that include Spain, Barbados, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, and Morocco. All passengers must also present a negative PCR test result at the pier. Booster shots are not required. 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. Other cruise lines are singing the same tune. All departures from the U.S. that are nine nights or less dont require any testing, unless they stop in Canada or Bermuda. Royal Caribbean will require vaccinations for some cruises: ships leaving Seattle for Alaska this summer, those sailing from the Bahamas and ships leaving from other international ports. Self-tests are accepted in some cases, but it's best to check the specifics on the site. Additionally, some cruise lines require unvaccinated people to present a negative test taken within a few days of boarding. Some ships can hold more than 5,400 passengers at two to a room. By continuing to browse the site you agree to our use of cookies. Here's what to know about setting sail without a COVID-19 vaccination. The agency provided the cruise lines with greater leeway to set and monitor their own policies. Do bivalent boosters work against XBB.1.5? (Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.) The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Many say this move has to do with the CDC not wanting to get into a legal battle with Florida, the largest cruise hub in America. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Vaccine and pretrip testing requirements can be confusing, especially if you are cruising internationally. Local regulations may have booster requirements to enter certain countries make sure to check Travel Requirements by Country to understand country specific requirements. For additional information, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. The pandemic after the pandemic: Long covid haunts millions of people. The European Union's Digital COVID Certificate, for example, includes certification of recovery from COVID-19. Vessels are equipped with an onboard laboratory, which can administer Complete Blood Counts (CBC), Blood Chemistry, Coagulation tests, and Influenza tests. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. Presidents gain too much power when emergencies like covid hit, The Checkup With Dr. Wen: Three important studies shed light on long covid, We are not overcounting covid deaths in the United States, China, speeding through phases of covid, gets on with living with virus, FDA advisers favor retiring original covid shot and using newer version. As with so many cruises around the world, requirements will vary by itinerary, but new policies that went into effect earlier this month eliminated vaccination requirements for trips departing the U.S., as long as they dont stop in Bermuda or Canada. You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. 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. As Disney Cruise Line (we, us) returns to sailing following the public health threat of COVID-19, we are changing some of our usual practices. These U.S. Cruise Lines Will Require Passengers Be Vaccinated - Travel Trips that are 16 days or longer will still require a medically supervised COVID test with written results within three days of travel.Our guests have been excited to return to cruising, and these changes will make it easier for more guests to explore the world in a safe and enjoyable environment, the companys president Gus Antorcha said in a statement last month. Royal CaribbeanAll passengers are welcome regardless of vaccine status as of September 5, on select routes such as cruises from Los Angeles, Galveston (though those age 12 and up need to be vaccinated to go ashore in Grand Cayman), and New Orleans (same rule with Grand Cayman), and in most destinations in Europe. Starting Sept. 6, vaccinated guests sailing on voyages of less than 16 days will no longer have to test . Florida banned vaccination proof requirements. Not all cruise lines For guests departing outside of the US who are cruising with Royal Caribbean, they may present a certificate of recovery. Unvaccinated guests are welcome but required to have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, subject to local regulations. (The only"mix and match" approach to COVID-19 vaccinesin the US applies to boosters.). Are children allowed to sail on your ships if they are not vaccinated? Guests will no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result prior to departing home. Should there be an annual coronavirus booster? Inspired Diagnostics is a subsidiary of Inspire Health Alliance, a leader in best-in-class health services. Get your annual flu shot and get up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. Rules may be different depending on requirements of locales visited. The cruise line . Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on most voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations with local regulations that may continue to require vaccination including Australia. Check with Carnival for specific cruise requirements. That means receiving a final primary dose and an updated booster shot, which became available for people older than 12 on September 2, 2022. 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. Boarding Requirements FAQ | Royal Caribbean Cruises The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has kept cruise lines from U.S. sailings since March 2020, has recommended that passengers, crew and port workers be vaccinated. Can You Get Omicron and Delta COVID-19 Variants at the Same Time? The Greece-based company announced this week it will remove all COVID protocols for sailings starting on or after March 2, 2023, with the exception being if the local regulations of a destination deem otherwise. A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. Results need to be uploaded before boarding. Cruise Lines Eliminate COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements & Pre-Cru Chances are if you're unvaccinated, you'll need to book a specific tour with the cruise line, such as Carnival's "bubble tour" for unvaccinated guests, which is mostly families with children who are too young to be vaccinated. CunardAll guests age 16 and up must be vaccinated, including with booster shots. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. Paul Gauguin CruisesVaccinations are required for all passengers over age 5. The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Affected 4 Different Cruise ShipsHere's Why Illness Can Spread so Fast at Sea. That's hard to say because it depends on the state of the pandemic at any given time. Last week, the CDC announced new guidelines that won't require cruise lines to ask for proof of a COVID-19 vaccination from passengers. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for those to or from Australia and on transatlantic and transpacific cruises. Shes been on 10 cruises and counting, and her favorite onboard activities include trying out the water slides, spending time in the spas thermal suite, eating lots of food, and attending the love & marriage show. 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. AzamaraPrecruise testing is no longer required for vaccinated guests, except in ports where testing is required. Cruise ships have been under the CDC's Conditional Sail Order since October 2020. Fee is also hopeful that the remainder of cruise lines will follow suit soon. Onboard medical consultations and standard treatments are provided for COVID-19-related illness at a charge. All guests are strongly advised to monitor current travel requirements and advisories for their home countries. This article was originally published in May 2022; it was most recently updated on August 17, 2022, with current information. All Rights Reserved. Children under 5 leaving the U.S. or under 12 leaving Europe also dont need to test. While some cruise lines operating in Europe have been requiring all passengers to be vaccinated, the C.D.C. Will any countries visited during the cruise require additional testing to enter the country? While other cruise lines may not officially require vaccinations for kids that young yet, they may in the future. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding. But like the latter lines, it'll still make you show proof of one for some sailings. In addition to staying up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC recommends that people who plan to cruise do the following: Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless they're traveling from or to a destination that requires it. Vaccinated guests are required to provide proof of negative COVID-19 test in addition to vaccination documentation, as listed above, only when embarking in Australia. Cruise Ship Travel During COVID-19 | CDC Carnival Cruise Line was very upfront about its motivations in announcing its decision to let anyone, vaccinated or not, to come onboard most of its sailings. Consequently, most cruise lines opted to make masks optional. Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test in order to embark on the second leg of a back-to-back sailing? Will all guests be required to be vaccinated prior to the cruise? We will comply with all local regulations at all destinations we visit. 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. This article was published more than1 year ago. Amazing buffets, cool amenities, and plenty of travelwhat's not to love? Masks are no longer required. Princess Cruises Removes Vaccine Requirement for Most Voyages Vaccination for sailings starting and ending in the U.S. is not required. Check your airline's protocols around testing, mask-wearing, vaccination, or quarantining if you're flying before or after the cruise. Royal Caribbean will require vaccinations for some. 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. Cruise lines can skip that step if they will have 95 percent of crew and passengers vaccinated. This includes an increase in intensive care unit capacity, new and upgraded equipment, onshore medical institution partnerships, telemedicine capabilities and additional robust consultation and treatment options. Celebritys Healthy at Sea page makes it easy to track the specific requirements based on your cruises itinerary. The exception are trips on the Disney Magic that depart New York City from September 30 through October 31 that may have different requirements. The change allowed more unvaccinated children who didnt yet qualify for a vaccine (currently those under the age of five) or had not obtained a vaccine to come onboard during the summer. Vacationers can finally plan to take their precious time off this summer and truly get away after what has been a challenging time for everyone.. It depends. Precruise testing is required for unvaccinated passengers. Carnival, for example, says it'll accept some vaccine exemptions from those ages 12 and younger, as well as adults who have "written confirmation from their medical provider" that they can't be vaccinated -- but only at their Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina and Alabama ports until the end of March 2022. SeabournAs of September 6, fully vaccinated passengers will no longer be required to submit a precruise COVID-19 test. No, we do not currently have any restrictions or limitations for guests with pre-existing health conditions. Should the need arise, we also have partnerships with onshore medical institutions in place to provide clinical advice and assistance as needed. Oceania CruisesVaccinated guests age 12 are not required to procure a precruise COVID-19 test, and unvaccinated guests may embark with a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, subject to local regulations, beginning on September 3, 2022. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages. Boosters are required for those age 18 and up who completed tests more than nine months prior to the cruise. The added Florida requirement comes on the heels two unvaccinated passengers under age 16 tested positive for COVID on board the cruise line's Adventure of the Seas ship and after sister. 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. 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. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations that continue to require vaccinations. If you have a cruise booked, you should keep checking the cruise lines website or contact the line for the latest rules. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone:(201) 902-2000. I believe that eventually all cruise lines will drop as many restrictions as they can, Jones adds. The Crystal Symphony. All onboard venues and activities will be available unless staffing or other challenges onboard prevent normal operations. Some may also require pre-board testing for unvaccinated people. Vaccines heavily reduce the chances that you'll become infected in the first place. As of this month, the majority of cruise passengers are required to be both fully vaccinated and tested for COVID-19 before getting on a ship; some exceptions to the vaccination rules applied only for kids under age 12 and a very small number of adults seeking exemptions. It's also important to consider who's coming with you. The first is scheduled to depart Miami on July 2, with more joining the fleet through Aug. 23. On March 19, 2021, Celebrity Cruises announced that Celebrity Millennium would begin cruises out of St. Maarten on June 5, 2021. And the rules are constantly changing. (Note: This information is accurate as of February 7, 2023. Crystal Cruises. Unvaccinated guests are permitted to sail on most MSC voyages. Will I be required to take a COVID test to disembark the vessel? This news is very exciting for us and our industry.. (If testing is required it can typically be either a PCR test or tele-health-monitored antigen test, paid for by the passenger. First Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and MSC Cruises all announced they would eliminate precruise testing requirements for vaccinated guests on cruises of six nights or less, while hinting that there would be additional loosening of requirements once they got the necessary approvals from the governments of countries the ships visit. Unvaccinated guests are welcome on most voyages. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Before boarding, you may need to present a vaccine waiver, wear a mask, or provide a negative test. Royal Caribbean travel insurance required without COVID vaccine - USA TODAY Health Protocols & FAQs | Holland America Line Cruises Guests who have symptoms of COVID-19 whilst onboard should immediately contact the onboard medical centre for further instruction. With eased restrictions that went into effect September 6 for most trips up to 15 nights, vaccinated passengers over the age of five no longer have to test, and unvaccinated guests can use a self-administered test within three days of departureexcept in areas where local restrictions deem otherwise (like Canada, Greece, and Australia) and on certain itineraries (like Panama Canal crossings, trans-ocean trips, and certain remote locales). 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. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. For an easy to use online tool for locating COVID-19 testing providers around the world, please visit www.testfortravel.com. And as in the noncruise world, the changes in regulations are happening quickly and travelers will need to stay updated on the latest. More than 14 months after cruising restarted following a long pandemic pause, and with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) having last month ended the intense monitoring of the cruise industry that began in March 2020, major cruise lines are dropping both vaccine requirements and precruise testing of vaccinated passengers. 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. Viking strongly recommends passengers receive a booster dose before departing. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Can I buy travel insurance through Norwegian Cruise Line? Viking CruisesAll passengers and crew are required to be vaccinated on Vikings river and ocean shipswithout exception. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications, remedies, and virus-testing equipment as available. 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line, 20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line, 11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog. Cruise Lines With Covid Vaccine Requirements for Guests and Crew - Yahoo! Atlas Ocean Voyages Vaccine required? Guests aged three and older may embark without testing or vaccination, if providing documentation that he/she has recovered from COVID-19 between ten to 90 days prior to the departure date. If you feel ill in the days before your cruise, you should not travel. Check the U.S. State Departments detailed COVID-19 travel information and country-specific advisories, which are updated regularly. Present one of the following: Negative COVID-19 antigen test within 24 hours of the embarkation date. Our award-winning onboard medical centers are fully equipped with testing and treatment capabilities if needed. The changes began shortly. People . It also allows you to search by test type PCR or Antigen. Check with the cruise line for protocols on pre-board testing and vaccination. Onboard medical consultations and treatments are provided at a charge for all respiratory illnesses. So far, the CDC has approved nine ships for test cruises, operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. It can be confusing to keep track of which lines require what, and in which regions unvaccinated guests can sail if there are still destination limitations. Travelers ages 11 and under will not be subject to any vaccination requirements or testing protocols. - As of Dec. 1, 2022, guests traveling with Azamara no longer need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 on sailings starting and ending in the U.S. or Europe. Specific destinations still require testing such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. Before you book, contact the cruise line to see if it'll accept an exemption and also look into the local laws of where you'll be visiting if and when you get off the ship for an excursion. Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations? This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. 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. 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. Beginning 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. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, should expect to be tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding a cruise ship. 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). Travel tips you can trust. For those departing Europe or for longer U.S. itineraries, self-administered tests will be accepted (with the exception of those that stop in Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Greece or New Zealand). The cruise industries have seen a slower return to normal since the pandemic, but are definitely making a comeback, says Dr. Jan Jones of the University of New Havens hospitality and tourism department. If you have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider about your cruise travel plans. While the Cruise Line will assist with arranging land-based quarantine accommodations if required, payment for all expenses incurred during any mandatory isolation period, including hotel stay, is the responsibility of the guest. 2023 Cond Nast. Temperature checks occur daily. Added coconut oil to cheap coffee before keto made it cool. Are there any onboard activities that will not be available? Delivered on weekdays. 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.