Cruise ships will not have to require vaccinations, CDC says but some Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. Check with Carnival for specific cruise requirements. AFAR participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase an item featured on our site. 2023 AFAR Media, ended the intense monitoring of the cruise industry, U.S. Citizens Will Need to Register to Travel to Europe in 2024, Lufthansa Unveils New Cabins With Over-the-Top First and Business SuitesHeres a First Look, Need a New U.S. Passport? 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.. Passengers age 4 and under do not require a vaccination. While . If you're not comfortable vaccinating your child under 12, hold off on buying them a ticket or get confirmation on a timeline for requirements from your desired cruise line. Its hard to say how this will affect me, advisor Adam Martindale said. "Traveling Party" means (1) your family members living with you in the same household and (2) traveling companions assigned to your stateroom on the ship. A cruise can be a fun way to visit certain areas of the world at a slower pace. 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. 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. 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. Lets leave the covid origin mystery to scientists, Covid, flu, RSV declining in hospitals as tripledemic threat fades. Guests under the age of 12 dont have any vaccination or testing requirements. 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. Norwegian Cruise Line will review reimbursement submissions in the event your insurance carrier denies the claim or you do not have travel insurance. 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. This article was published more than1 year ago. This could include but is not limited to proof of a specific negative COVID-19 test result or Booster. Related: Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? Starting Sept. 6, vaccinated guests sailing on voyages of less than 16 days will no longer have to test . While much of the travel industry has returned to a pre-pandemic state, cruising has been slower to rebound from some of the tightest restrictions over the last two and a half years. With the relaxation of travel requirements around the world, were thrilled to welcome all guests back on our ships to cruise freely to the places theyve been dreaming of regardless of vaccination status and with no testing requirements. Florida banned vaccination proof requirements. Not all cruise lines Lindblad ExpeditionsAll passengers age 5 and older must be vaccinated. For guests departing outside of the US who are cruising with Royal Caribbean, they may present a certificate of recovery. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine before your cruise is not only cost effective, but it could save your life. No, guests will not be required to take a COVID-19 antigen test before continuing on the second leg of a back-to-back sailing unless symptomatic, unvaccinated or if a specific country requires it. Also enacted earlier this month on September 3, the Miami-based company will now allow guests over the age of 12 who are not vaccinated to board if they have a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours of embarkation. 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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most cruise lines kept requirements for vaccinations and precruise testing in place, but that changed in late July, after the CDC backed off even further from its monitoring of the cruise industry. Here are some of the latest cruise lines that are pulling back on pandemic measures. 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. The requirement was initially going to last until Oct. 31. 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. We have improved our onboard medical capabilities with additional staffing directly related to sailing capacity, new and upgraded equipment and enhanced facilities. 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. COVID-19 shots are compulsory for all passengers cruising with Atlas, with proof of inoculation required before embarkation. 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. Additionally, starting this week, vaccinated passengers no longer need to test before embarking. 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.. A line-by-line guide. Confused about changing COVID-19 rules for cruise ships? Here's All rights reserved. If a guest follows health and safety protocols and tests positive during their cruise, the Cruise Line will help coordinate necessary onboard COVID-19-related medical consultation, standard/common prescription drugs, and required land-based quarantine. Royal Caribbean said it still needs to complete simulation cruises before getting approval for the sailings it announced Friday. Temperature checks occur daily. Masks and social distancing are now also optional, but surgical masks are still required for the first seven days of trans-oceanic and World Tour itineraries. CDC, FDA Investigating PotentialBut 'Unlikely'Link Between Pfizer Booster and Stroke Risk, This Year's Flu Shot Is a 'Good Match,' CDC SaysBut Cases and Hospitalizations Continue to Rise, Omicron vs. Delta: How the 2 COVID-19 Variants Compare, Omicron Boosters Could Save 90,000 Lives This WinterBut Only if People Get Them. Unvaccinated children five to 11 years old will no longer need the vaccine to sail. All rights reserved. Windstar CruisesAll passengers must be fully vaccinated. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding. COVID-19 Protocols, Listed by Cruise Line | TravelAge West There are a few reasons why viruses and diseases can spread quickly on cruise ships. You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. Carnival Cruise Line: For cruises that are 15 days or less, the cruise line does not require vaccination and pre-board testing.Still, the cruise line encourages guests 5 and up to do both. The family-focused cruise line has been rolling out new regulations this month. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the cruise line said in a news release. Norwegian Cruise Lines Also enacted earlier this month on September 3, the Miami-based company will now allow guests over the age of 12 who are not vaccinated to board if they have a negative. Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter. Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be charged to the guests' account. It also varies based on different rules for cruise ships or territories, and evolving guidance from the CDC. Viking Cruises has decided to eliminate pre-voyage testing. In a statement, the cruise lines president and CEO, Michael Bayley, thanked elected officials including Gov. 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. Check the cruise lines websites for the most up-to-date information.). These requirements will vary by country and is the responsibility of the guest and supersede our policy. SeabournAs of September 6, fully vaccinated passengers will no longer be required to submit a precruise COVID-19 test. Youll find expert advice for experienced and first-time cruisers, as well as port and destination guides. The big question is, what cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests to sail? With that in mind, weve put together this list of cruise lines allowing unvaccinated guests to sail, as well as what the other lines currently require regarding vaccinations. If you have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider about your cruise travel plans. Since then, cruise lines around the world have been cautiously dropping their pre-embarkation requirements. In many cases, yes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidance for cruise ships will become optional this . Medical centers will be equipped to test for COVID-19 onboard and if a positive case is identified, contact tracing for that individual will begin immediately and occur at the same time as treatment. Purchasing in-home testing kits is simple. 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? 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. Cruise ship travel. 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. 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.. All vessels will have COVID-19 testing capabilities on board and results onsite. A couple of the factors in that unique combination are crowded spaces and tight quarters. Vaccines must be approved for use by the country they are sailing from. 2023 Cond Nast. How Safe Is It to Travel With Unvaccinated Children? Delivered on weekdays. Boosters are required for those age 18 and up who completed tests more than nine months prior to the cruise. Remember: Vaccine exemptions and refunds are not guaranteed. Present one of the following: Negative COVID-19 antigen test within 24 hours of the embarkation date. Some cruise lines encourage vaccination even though they don't require it. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). American Queen VoyagesOn this lines river, ocean, Great Lakes and expedition ships, all passengers are required to be vaccinated. Depending on the cruise line, fully vaccinated can mean having received the original series at least 14 days prior to your cruise, or the original series plus a booster shot. 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? 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. Earlier this month, Oceania dropped testing requirements for vaccinated passengers; unvaccinated guests need to show proof of a negative antigen or PCR test taken within 72 hours. Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test in order to embark on the second leg of a back-to-back sailing? If you are allowed onboard, you will need to be tested precruise, which is required for unvaccinated children as well. The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Affected 4 Different Cruise ShipsHere's Why Illness Can Spread so Fast at Sea. Specific destinations still require testing such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. 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. For an easy-to-use online tool for locating COVID-19 testing providers around the world, please visitwww.TestForTravel.com. Fee is also hopeful that the remainder of cruise lines will follow suit soon. Royal Caribbean did not answer a question about whether its decision not to require vaccinations for passengers was a result of the states bans. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. That's hard to say because it depends on the state of the pandemic at any given time. 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. I will have a better idea at the end of this week.. 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). Can You Get Omicron and Delta COVID-19 Variants at the Same Time? River cruise line Avalon Waterways is requiring that prior to sailing, passengers show proof of COVID-19 vaccination completed at least 14 days before travel, proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken no more than 72 hours before travel, or proof of recovery from a COVID-19 diagnosis within three months of travel. 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. 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. (The only"mix and match" approach to COVID-19 vaccinesin the US applies to boosters.). NOTE: Carnival Spirit - April 16, 2023, & September 19, 2023: These sailings do not require proof of vaccination, vaccine exemption or testing. The relaxation of protocols, coupled with continued easing of travel restrictions and the reopening to cruise in more ports around the globe are meaningfully positive for our business as it reduces friction, expands the addressable cruise market, brings variety to itineraries and provides additional catalysts on the road to recovery.. 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. Before CNET, she worked in local journalism covering public health issues, business and music. Are children allowed to sail on your ships if they are not vaccinated? Holland America LineAs of September 6, on most voyages of 15 nights or less, vaccinated guests age 5 and up do not need to be tested prior to cruising. 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. - All other cruises still require proof of initial vaccination and a booster until further notice. Celebritys Healthy at Sea page makes it easy to track the specific requirements based on your cruises itinerary. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here's a quick breakdown of vaccination and testing policies as of December 2022 at several major cruise lines: At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020,cruise ships experienced major outbreaksof the SARS-CoV-2 virus as it spread across the globe. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, should expect to be tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding a cruise ship. RELATED: NCLH Drops COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements, Welcomes Everyone to Sail. Travelers ages 11 and under will not be subject to any vaccination requirements or testing protocols. The protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, including Canada, Australia, and Greece. Spice up your small talk with the latest tech news, products and reviews. Disney also highly recommends vaccines for younger kids. 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. *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. 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. They are dependent, however, on the requirements of the places they are stopping at., This means that two different itineraries on the same cruise line may not have the same rulesso its more essential than ever to check testing, vaccination, and booster requirements specifically for each departure. 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. Check your airline's protocols around testing, mask-wearing, vaccination, or quarantining if you're flying before or after the cruise. 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. Also called a "bivalent" booster, the updated booster became available for people aged 511 on October 12, 2022. (Unvaccinated guests will have to undergo special testing onboard to visit Spain or Greece.) The exception are trips on the Disney Magic that depart New York City from September 30 through October 31 that may have different requirements. Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing - Travel CunardAll guests age 16 and up must be vaccinated, including with booster shots. This is the news weve been waiting for, said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners. did not go that far. 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. CDC lifts some mask rules for vaccinated cruise passengers, This is it, Bayley said in the statement. CDC continues to recommend that cruise travelers remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines and get tested for COVID-19 before and after they travel, and after any known exposure to a person with COVID-19. For Europe and Tahiti, your last COVID-19 shot is now required within the last 270 days. Children may or may not be able to cruise, depending on the ship. 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. At long last, cruise lines are finally starting to drop their vaccine mandates and allow all passengers inoculated or not to sail on their ships. Starting March 11, 2023, proof of vaccination for sailings to or from Europe will no longer be required. Get tested again after cruise travel. 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. Viking River Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises require all guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before travel. You also might need to purchase travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage if you have an unvaccinated guest in your party and you're departing from a Florida or Texas port. 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. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. 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. Simply enter your zip code, or city and country, and the website will display locations, contact information, and testing hours. For departures through 2022, proof of vaccination or certificate of recent recovery is no longer required, though testing protocols will still be in place. Cruise ship travel during COVID-19. 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. 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. Are there any restrictions on pre-existing health conditions or limitations for guests due to COVID-19? Vaccinated and unvaccinated. Masks are optional in all areas. The agency said that after working closely with the cruise industry for two years, it believed cruise lines had access to the necessary tools to prevent and mitigate COVID-19 onboard., While cruising poses some risk of COVID-19 transmission, consumers can make their own decisions as they would in any other setting, the agency said in a statement. Outbreak updates for international cruise ships. All guests will continue to receive a COVID-19 test just prior to embarkation, arranged by Lindblad, and all guests must test negative to board. Testing at home is safe, simple, and convenient. On March 19, 2021, Celebrity Cruises announced that Celebrity Millennium would begin cruises out of St. Maarten on June 5, 2021. We have also enhanced our onboard medical capabilities with additional staffing and enhanced facilities. Will I have to sign a COVID-19 waiver to board a ship? Norwegian still strongly recommends that all guests be up to date on their vaccination status and test at their convenience before travel. These 3 Cruise Lines Don't Require Vaccination Against COVID-19 So far, the CDC has approved nine ships for test cruises, operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. Our CareTeam will assist with daily wellbeing check-ins . We will comply with all local regulations at all destinations we visit. People can also pick up pathogens from port visits and bring them back onto the ship, infecting others.