With more and more cruise lines dropping all COVID-related travel requirements, its back to cruising as usual. Health and safety are always our first priority in fact, we were the health and safety leaders from the very start of the pandemic, said Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer. Children who are aged 4 or younger do not need vaccination proof or a COVID test. Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. Not sure where to go? We feature properties from a specially selected list of trusted operators who are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. Younger passengers are not subject to any vaccination requirements or testing protocols. But with the pandemic still ongoing, many cruise lines have implemented safety protocols, including the requirement to wear masks. For the most up-to-date policies, always double-check with your cruise line of choice, as protocols change rapidly. While cruising restarted in other regions in mid-2021, Australia only reopened for cruises in mid-2022. These Cruise Lines Are Requiring Passengers To Wear Masks Again All The Details. Typical bacon geek. Amateur zombie evangelist. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. While each cruise line might accept different ones, the major vaccines Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca all seem to have wide acceptance. General zombie trailblazer. 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. All passengers over the age of 12 must be fully vaccinated. All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. To be considered vaccinated guests must have been vaccinated at least two weeks prior to boarding. But now, little more than a year later, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has withdrawn its opt-in guidance for cruise lines, and many are now allowing more unvaccinated passengers to sail. : Yes American Queen is even vaccinating its shoreside employees. AzamaraPassengers no longer need to take pre-travel Covid tests except where required by local restrictions. If you have received one of these shots, then you should be good to go. And, I would say that nobody wearing or not wearing masks were ever made to feel uncomfortable. However, with certain destinations still enforcing vaccine and/or testing requirements, be sure to research your cruise itinerary thoroughly before booking if you want to avoid potential restrictions in countries that have still not fully reopened to all travelers. As of last week, masks arent required for vaccinated guests on Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean. As well, even if not required, Royal Caribbean asks that you still bring proof of vaccination to your cruise. 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. Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken within three days prior to embarkation. Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Cruise Line. Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers, no exceptions, need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Also called a bivalent booster, the updated booster became available for people aged 511 on October 12, 2022. No. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, said Royal Caribbeans news release. 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. The CDC updated its guidelines on July 18 so that vaccination is no longer a requirement instead, its merely recommended. Every other cruise line has a tough decision to make. On Royal Caribbean, theyre also required for all kids two and older (regardless of vaccination status) in the Adventure Ocean kids program. Heres a quick breakdown of vaccination and testing policies as of December 2022 at several major cruise lines: These cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests but still have some form of testing requirement in place for those who elected to pass on the vaccine. Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, : For Freedom, Odyssey, Allure, Symphony and sailing out of Florida ports in July and August we are strongly recommending all guests eligible for vaccines are fully vaccinated. The guidance also makes it clear that 90% is what a high proportion of travelers means. That meant they required just about everyone on board to have their shots, with few exceptions allowed for young children and people who cant be vaccinated due to medical conditions or religious beliefs. Go to Boards. Dont Miss: What Cruise Lines Go To Tahiti. 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. Policy: Masks are not required onboard, except for in a few select indoor locations. 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. - As of July 25, 2022, the line no longer requires pre-cruise testing unless . Monitor yourself for symptoms after the trip, and isolate yourself if you have a positive test or develop symptoms. 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. Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? And the rules are constantly changing. The revenue generated will help us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. Read Also: How Much Are Cruises Out Of Galveston. 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. 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. Guests must also wear masks during the entire embarkation and debarkation processes. However, some cruise lines have recently revoked the obligation to wear masks on certain ships this summer. Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard. Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless they're traveling from or to a destination that requires it. Get Expert Tips. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, should expect to be tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding a cruise ship. Azamara is one of the cruise lines that no longer requires passengers to wear masks on their ships, although they still recommend them. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. When the first cruises allowing Americans restarted in spring 2021, all major lines were sailing with at least 90% of passengers vaccinated against COVID-19. Those requirements would not be necessary on the same cruise without a stop in Colombia. Royal Caribbean made headlines a week ago when it announced that it would begin sailing from Florida in early July with ships where vaccinations would be recommended but not required. Costa Cruises, Azamara, and Silversea Cruises have also dropped their vaccination policies with some exceptions. And you may have to be vaccinated or not. As well, Sir Richard Bransons new cruise line Virgin Voyages also dropped its masking policy as of yesterday, February 28. Given the significant, positive progress in the public health environment, the Cruise Line updated its health and safety guidelines, which are now more aligned with other global travel organizations. All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. On voyages that visit Greece or Italy, they are required on the ship when indoors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends updating people on their COVID-19 vaccines before going on a cruise. Last week, Disney Cruise Line became the first cruise line to require passengers as young as 5 to be vaccinated for sailings starting Jan. 13. Some cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, accept vaccines recommended or approved by the World Health Organization as well as the CDC. Prior to the pandemic, the industry directly and indirectly supported nearly 160,000 jobs in Florida. Unvaccinated travelers may embark with a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken within three days prior to embarkation. Other cruise lines have also slowly restarted operations in Australia, including Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International. Otherwise all guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before departure. Those indoor spaces include all lounges, corridors, elevators, theaters, casinos, and other spaces, unless guests are eating or drinking. The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q& As happening daily! These links are signposted with an asterisk. This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. Celebrity Cruises You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. For instance, a Panama Canal cruise making a stop in Colombia triggers vaccine requirements for ports later in the itinerary. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks may be required in public areas on the ship . Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip! Heres a rundown of the basic rules for some leading cruise lines. Masks continue to be required for unvaccinated guests in indoor public areas. The new-to-the-fleet Spirit-class Carnival Luminosa can welcome 2,260 guests, and is offering a range of South Pacific, New Zealand, and Great Barrier Reef itineraries from Brisbane. For now, none of the cruise lines that have a vaccine requirement have announced any plans to rescind that rule in the future. Check your airlines protocols around testing, mask-wearing, vaccination, or quarantining if youre flying before or after the cruise. Here, we go over the major cruise lines in the U.S. and tell you which ones are currently requiring face coverings onboard. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. Costa Cruises, Azamara, and Silversea Cruises have also dropped their vaccination policies with some exceptions. The cruise industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is some good news on the horizon. View Best Prices on Carnival, Celebrity Cruises Starting on Monday, September 5, 2022, all guests will be able to sail on Celebrity cruise ships, even if not vaccinated. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. Carnival Cruise Line won't require masks on board starting next month, making the company the latest cruise line to ditch mandatory face coverings. Testing is still required for some cruises. : Yes American Queen is even vaccinating its shoreside employees. Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot. You can view Carnivals latest policies here. On voyages that visit Greece or Italy, they are required on. 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. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. 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. Norwegian Epic (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line) Oceania Cruises Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard. You May Like: Where To Find The Best Cruise Deals. Because this policy only impacts sailings in Australia, only two Carnival ships are currently affected: Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa. Cruise lines make it clear that passengers must be fully vaccinated. Azamara is one of the cruise lines that no longer requires passengers to wear masks on their ships, although they still recommend them. Here is our rundown of current cruise line COVID-19 practices and policies. 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. Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? This ensures you can sail stress-free knowing you wont have your voyage cut short due to any cruise vaccination policy when entering another state or territory. Passengers are encouraged to wear them . Disney Cruise Line, which recently welcomed a new ship to its fleet, requires unvaccinated children to wear their masks when using the shared youth centers on board, and also asks all travelers to wear a mask at all times when at the cruise terminal. Note: Some destinations still require it and cruises that visit these countries will still have the COVID-19 vaccination requirement due to local laws. 2. 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. Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? 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. All Contents Copyright 2022 Cruise Radio, Inc. | Website Designed by Insider Perks, Inc. Get the real facts delivered straight to your inbox, with trustworthy cruise related news. Our Crew will remain fully vaccinated as they are now. Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Paths latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox, You May Like: Luxury River Cruise Lines Europe. Can I Travel if I've Been Exposed to COVID-19? As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard. Here is a current list of cruise line that have, or will eliminate the vaccine requirement to sail on one of their cruise ships. The three major cruise lines sailing from U.S. ports Royal Caribbean International , Carnival Cruise Lines CCL, and Norwegian Cruise Line NCLH still require pre-cruise covid tests taken no more than two days before your cruise and that all guests ages 12-and-over provide proof of vaccination. Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return.. View Best Prices on Celebrity, Read Also: Last Minute Cruise Deals Tampa. 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. These included recommendations that ships continue to require pre-cruise testing and for passengers to be vaccinated. Olsen Cruise Lines. MSCs policy toward vaccination for sailing from the United States is that while kids under 12 years old are allowed to sail unvaccinated, those older than that must have the shot. Enjoy your cruise. In you are an unvaccinated adult, some cruise lines will now let you sail, others will not. Also Check: Best Hotels Near Miami Cruise Port. That includes things like visiting restaurants or movie theaters, going to a sporting event, and of course, travel. Effective April 15, all guests five and older must be vaccinated to sail on Celebrity from the United States. For all sailings 5 nights or less, no testing is required for vaccinated guests. As of the fall of 2022, many cruise line have dropped vaccination, testing and masking requirements. You can also work with a local travel medicine clinic to determine what vaccinations or preventative measures are recommended based on your itinerary. Traveler Alert: Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip! A precruise test is no longer required on the river ships. Connect with other cruisers before and after you set sail. Aug. 14, 2022 Four major cruise lines are dropping their COVID-19 vaccination requirements for some sailings next month, according to USA Today. Children age 12 to 15 must have received two initial doses of the vaccination. 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. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. For Australians, anyone currently looking to sail internationally will need to be fully vaccinated. There is no definitive answer as to when a vaccine requirement to go on a cruise ship may go away, but at the very least it stands to reason not until the public health emergency ends. MSC currently offers cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas from Florida. Check out our recap of youth immunization policies for details on cruise vaccination requirements for kids. This is the link: Cruise News Today March 1, 2022 [VIDEO], Bookings Open For Royal Caribbeans 2023-24 Caribbean Cruises, guide to cruise lines mask policies article, 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, https://cruiseradio.net/8-cruise-lines-drop-their-face-mask-requirements/. Disney Cruise Lines joins Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Holland America Line, which no longer require vaccinations on most sailings. Vaccine and pretrip testing requirements can be confusing, especially if you are cruising internationally. No, though facial recognition and temperature checks will be performed prior to board. The CDC updated its guidelines on July 18 so that vaccination is no longer a requirement instead, its merely recommended. Dont Miss: Do Any Cruise Lines Allow Dogs. Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date. There is no mention of needing a reason to be eligible for an exemption. For general information on testing, please refer to our article on cruise testing requirements. Testing is not required of vaccinated guests. Cruise lines have begun modifying their vaccination and testing policies surrounding COVID-19, with numerous cruise lines once again allowing unvaccinated passengers to set sail as of September 2022, provided they test negative for COVID-19 first. As the threat of Covid-19 begins to diminish, there is a possibility cruise lines may relax health protocols, including allowing unvaccinated people to go on a cruise ship. Pre-voyage testing is not required for guests with proof of vaccination unless local regulations stipulate otherwise. 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. You May Like: Are Greek Island Cruises Worth It. The company requires vaccinated passengers to take a test only on sailings six nights or longer, but testing is still required for unvaccinated passengers on all sailings. What was true for your friend who took a Viking cruise in fall 2022 may not apply to the cruise you booked for a 2023 voyage on Carnival. Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return. This new polic went into effect yesterday, September 3, 2022. This article contains links which are ads and if you click on a link and buy a product we will earn revenue. Recommended Reading: When Can You Book Excursions On Disney Cruise. From the moment you board the ship, you'll be surrounded by activities, entertainment, and delicious food. Aida Cruises, Ama Waterways, American Queen Steamboat Company, Azamara, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Viking are all open or planning to open soon. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding. Crew Vaccinated? Australia has been one of the more strict regions of the world with respect to pandemic cruise travel restrictions. 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. Some of its current passengers have chosen to sail because every adult onboard has been tested and vaccinated. And, some cruise stops may then trigger requirements for ports of call later in the trip. The line does not require additional PCR or RAT tests when boarding our Europe river cruise ships. Click on your favorite cruise line below to find out. MORE: 8 Tips For Preparing to Cruise in 2022. 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. 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. Fully vaccinated passengers do not have to test prior to sailing. 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. Keep in mind that each cruise line determines its own health and wellness protocols. What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air filters and buffets have been eliminated. Be Safe protocols for Australia sailings on November 17, 2022, reintroducing mandatory mask wearing. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. Testing and vaccination requirements will differ for guests traveling on voyages departing from destinations with specific local health regulations, including the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, and Greece. Before your trip, you will need to review your cruise lines health and safety protocols. Thats been one of the biggest questions in a return to sailing. There are a few exceptions. This isnt an easy decision, because its partially about peoples health and partially about keeping your business healthy. 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. There is no requirement for passengers to mask on board, but 100% of the crew is masked. 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. 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. Bahamas and Caribbean cruises that leave from Florida ports still have vaccine rules in place. This article contains links which are ads and if you click on a link and buy a product we will earn revenue. While most cruise lines require adults to be vaccinated right now, unvaccinated readers want to know when the vaccine mandate may go away. All guests and crew will be required to wear a mask onboard. 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. Heres what you need to know.
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