Children age 12 to 15 must have received two initial doses of the vaccination. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. 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. Disney Cruise Line, which recently welcomed . Cruise lines have been making changes to their requirements for passengers in order to make cruise ships accessible to virtually everyone. This isnt an easy decision, because its partially about peoples health and partially about keeping your business healthy. Around the same time, Celebrity Cruises went the opposite direction, lowering the age at which passengers must be vaccinated to sail on its ships. But now, little more than a year later, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has withdrawn its opt-in guidance for cruise lines, and many are now allowing more unvaccinated passengers to sail. The changes are also subject to local requirements, and full vaccination requirements apply to passengers 12 and up while testing rules apply to those 5 and older. 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. Main photo: a cruise ship docked near Grand Turk Island. 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. Now that policy has changed to 90% of passengers, allowing 10% of those onboard to sail unvaccinated with an exemption. Cruise like a pro with expert tips from our editors. We had somewhere in the neighborhood of 4000 passengers on board and I would venture to guess that less than 2% wore masks. 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. Because you may visit multiple locations on a cruise, you need to know the requirements for all your ports of call. Aug. 14, 2022 Four major cruise lines are dropping their COVID-19 vaccination requirements for some sailings next month, according to USA Today. Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. Some of its current passengers have chosen to sail because every adult onboard has been tested and vaccinated. Recommended Reading: What Is Included In Crystal Cruises. A single shot of the Johnson & Johnson dose is ok, but still requires receiving it well in advance of sailing. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. VERIFY: Do cruise passengers have to show proof of vaccination? As an adults-only cruise line, Virgin required everyone on the ship to be vaccinated. What is the Average Cost of a 7-Day Cruise? Our Crew will remain fully vaccinated as they are now. : Yes American Queen is even vaccinating its shoreside employees. 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. All passengers will undergo a complimentary COVID-19 test during the pre-cruise hotel stay prior to embarkation. Virgin does not allow children on its ships, so it was sailing with 100% vaccination rates. Cruise lines are gradually easing restrictions and resuming operations, with some already allowing unvaccinated passengers to disembark. Unvaccinated guests are required to be tested. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding. First-time cruisers:3 things to know before stepping foot on the ship, Recommended Reading: Cruise Capital Of The World. Unvaccinated passengers will need to 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. The revenue generated will help us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism. Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return.. Hell of a Cruise:Highlighting the panic, failures of the COVID early days. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. : Yes American Queen is even vaccinating its shoreside employees. In turn, each operator has prepared their own cruise vaccination policy that is designed to work across all destinations they service. The cruise industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is some good news on the horizon. We feature properties from a specially selected list of trusted operators who are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. Olsen Cruise Lines. Unvaccinated Guests: Are not permitted aboard. Also, fully vaccinated passengers now no longer need to provide a negative COVID-19 test prior to setting sail on many voyages. Its 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 isnt authorized yet in the US. Booster shots might also be required for entry into the specific country of embarkation as well as the destinations along the itinerary. For domestic sailings, this will be entirely dependent on your chosen cruise line and their cruise vaccination requirements and the current laws of the state or territories you plan on travelling from/to. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy. At this date, Regent will adopt the following pre-cruise testing requirements, subject to local regulations: Explore Regent Seven Seas current health and safety protocols here. Have no fear, we provide all the relevant links and information you need for all of the major cruise lines below. It was most recently updated and republished on June 17, 2022. 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. Norwegian Cruise Line takes Florida to court over vaccine mandate ban, Celebrity Cruise Lines will not require proof of vaccination. For more information about the Companys award-winning 18-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please call +1-888-NCL-CRUISE , contact a travel professional or visit www.ncl.com. Dont Miss: Do Any Cruise Lines Allow Dogs. The policy now reads, out of an abundance of caution, for the time being, masks are required in public indoor spaces.. Virgin Voyages, a fledgling cruise line sailing one of its two ships, the Scarlet Lady, out of Miami, dropped the pre-cruise testing requirement after the CDC stopped monitoring covid on cruise ships. I do not want to take a cruise where I am required to wear a mask the entire time I am indoors because that would not be a happy place for me. Democrats have denounced the new law and accused DeSantis of undermining both public health and the cruise industry. Those passengers or those who are partially vaccinated will need to provide results of a negative antigen or molecular PCR test taken within 48 hours of embarkation, according to a news release. Carnival Splendor setting sail on October 1, Carnival Luminosas first sailing on November 6, approximately 100 cases were reported onboard, Worlds Largest Cruise Ship Oversold for Spring Break, Carnival Cruise Ship Will Offer Transatlantic Voyage After Dry Dock, Photos Reveal Progress at Carnival Cruise Lines New Port. Starting Sept. 6, Princess Cruises will require passengers on sailings of 16 nights or longer to take a test within three days of leaving, as well as those on full Panama Canal transits. Travelers can get tested three days before departure for trips six nights or more. Connect with other cruisers before and after you set sail. Costa Cruises, Azamara, and Silversea Cruises have also dropped their vaccination policies with some exceptions. Were still requiring that the majority of Sailors be vaccinated, but were opening up our voyages for a limited number of unvaccinated Sailors to join us. Vaccine and pretrip testing requirements can be confusing, especially if you are cruising internationally. Guests who have certain pre-existing medical conditions . Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot. Disney Cruise Line joins the majority of cruise operators that have done away with COVID-19 vaccination requirements on some ships. For example, approximately 100 cases were reported onboard Coral Princess in early July during one of the first restart cruises, while more recently, local news services have reported more than 800 cases aboard Majestic Princess. Carnival Cruise Line will no longer require pre-cruise testing for vaccinated guests on voyages that are five nights or fewer beginning Aug. 4, the cruise line said Friday. UPDATED: October 3, 2022 Margaritaville at Sea Margaritaville at Sea Paradise welcomes all guests onboard regardless of vaccination status. Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return.. And, some cruise stops may then trigger requirements for ports of call later in the trip. In fact, the cruise line requires all passengers to have the shot to sail. Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. As always, your safety is our first priority, so we will continue with our other protocols to keep you well while enjoying your relaxing vacation, the cruise line shared in the email. Passengers can call the cruise line at 954-488-2955 to ask about sailing without having the shot. For example, many cruise lines require passengers to be tested for COVID-19 before boarding and may also require them to quarantine for a period of time before embarking. 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. These links are signposted with an asterisk. Keep in mind that each cruise line determines its own health and wellness protocols. Every other cruise line has a tough decision to make. Check your cruise lines website for more details. MSC currently offers cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas from Florida. All guests and crew will be required to wear a mask onboard. Most major cruise lines still require passengers to be fully vaccinated, including having the relevant booster jabs. Carnival Cruise Line Carnival has joined the CDC programme so, effective with cruises departing March 1, masks on board will be recommended but not required on US sailings. Most lines only accept vaccines recognized and approved by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Cruise Line. Some may also require pre-board testing for unvaccinated people. American Queen VoyagesOn this lines river, ocean, Great Lakes and expedition ships, all passengers are required to be vaccinated. From the moment you board the ship, you'll be surrounded by activities, entertainment, and delicious food. Norwegian, which requires guests to bring proof of vaccination, responded to inquiries with a link to its latest press release from early June about its upcoming U.S. voyages. For instance, a Panama Canal cruise making a stop in Colombia triggers vaccine requirements for ports later in the itinerary. Celestyal Cruises has partnered with Bioiatriki which provides tests for just 10 per person at locations across Athens and Thessaloniki. For those who are unvaccinated, pre-embarkation testing is required. Many other cruise line operators and brands made similar protocol changes, including Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. That means having both doses of a two-dose shot 14 days before embarking on the ship. Mask-wearing requirements were common on cruise ships through much of 2021 and into early 2022 as COVID-19 spread across the globe in several major waves. The cruise line will still administer a COVID-19 antigen test to each guest prior to boarding, free of charge, and masks are required in public areas. Do Non-US Citizens Need to Be Vaccinated to Enter the US During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Its almost unheard of for a vaccinated person to get seriously ill with Covid-19, she said in an email. 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. Disney said that changes to the policies are subject to local rules. A number of cruise lines have reviewed their policies following the change. Thats hard to say because it depends on the state of the pandemic at any given time. Crew Vaccinated? As well, no vaccine will be required if sailing from Europe. 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. For now, none of the cruise lines that have a vaccine requirement have announced any plans to rescind that rule in the future. The question for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian becomes which changes will lead to the most passengers on their ships? Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. fred o. Fred. One of the trickier questions to tackle is do cruises require vaccinations? Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot. Costa Cruises will also allow unvaccinated travelers to board sailings 14 nights or shorter in the Caribbean and Mediterranean beginning Oct. 8. These included recommendations that ships continue to require pre-cruise testing and for passengers to be vaccinated. Details: Holland Americas latest mask policy. 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. As of the fall of 2022, many cruise line have dropped vaccination, testing and masking requirements. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. No. Note: Some destinations still require it and cruises that visit these countries will still have the COVID-19 vaccination requirement due to local laws. Children age 12 to 15 must have received two initial doses of the vaccination. Yes. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. However, before they cruise, those without the shot will need to have a negative test taken within three days of cruising . Now, a recent shift has led to cruise lines removing those hurdles as well. Vaccinated passengers dont need to test unless visiting Canada, Bermuda, Greece or Australia and on trips of 16 nights or longer. If your vacation planning includes taking an international or domestic cruise, theres more than just a packing list to consider or which drinks package fits you best. "There may, however, be certain venues and events where masks will be required," said the brand. Cruises from Florida and other ports of departure will still require the shot for those 12 and older in order to sail for the time being. READ NEXT: Bimini Cruise Port: Everything You Need To Know. A precruise test is no longer required on the river ships. As the health situation evolves, cruise lines are always adjusting their health and safety policies including whether guests need to wear masks onboard. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Kids two to five years old will still be required to wear masks in the kids club spaces and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Others have eliminated both Covid vaccination requirements and testing requirements for some, but not all, passengers based on itineraries or cruise lengths. Remember that cruise ports such as San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, are actually part of the U.S. Dont Miss: Cruise Ship With Go Kart Track. All guests aged 4 and older are required to have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding. Get tested for COVID-19 one to three days before your trip and three to five days after your trip, regardless of your vaccination status. Read Also: When Is The Best Time To Cruise To Alaska, Floridas governor Ron DeSantis says cruise lines, other businesses cannot require proof of vacc, Norweigian Cruise Line to require COVID-19 vaccines, Ziprecruiter CEO says Employers are desperate, Cruises could still legally require proof of vaccination even if Florida bans vaccine passports, How Much Are Drinks On Viking River Cruises, Where Do Viking River Cruises Dock In Amsterdam, How To Get Off Viking Cruises Mailing List, Where Do River Cruise Ships Dock In Basel Switzerland, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travelers Health site, What Cruise Ships Sail Out Of San Francisco, some itineraries will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, more than 120 countries have dropped all restrictions. Every other cruise line has a tough decision to make. Heres what the CDC currently recommends when it comes to vaccines. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. View Best Prices on Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line For cruises that depart on or after September 6, 2022, Carnival Cruise Line will allow all guests to once again sail on their Fun Ships. While the pandemic has made most of us equate vaccine with Covid-19, depending on where you travel, protecting your health by getting or boosting vaccinations for things hepatitis, yellow fever and other diseases may be required or recommended. As well, Sir Richard Bransons new cruise line Virgin Voyages also dropped its masking policy as of yesterday, February 28. "Effective with sailings departing March 1 . Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless theyre traveling from or to a destination that requires it. 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. Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? View Best Prices on MSC, Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line was the first major cruise line to announce the elimination of a COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Not sure where to go? Bahamas and Caribbean cruises that leave from Florida ports still have vaccine rules in place. Judge sides with Norwegian in bid to require COVID-19 vaccination, What Is Included In Concierge Class On Celebrity Cruises, What Cruise Lines Sail From Jacksonville Florida, You can view Carnivals latest policies here, You can view Virgin Voyages latest policies here, ropped the pre-cruise testing requirement. Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers, no exceptions, need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Keep in mind, however, that policies on testing and vaccination requirements vary from cruise line to cruise line, and that sailings to, from, or calling on ports in Canada, Bermuda, Greece, Australia and New Zealand will still require most passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Carnival Cruise Line wont require unvaccinated guests to apply for an exemption to sail after Sept. 6. Other sources include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travelers Health site that maintains up-to-date information on current health situations around the world, general healthy travel tips and help in finding a travel health clinic.
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