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. This doesnt apply to select destinations where local regulations vary, including Australia. According to the CDC, "cruise ship travel presents a unique combination of health concerns.". 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. Travel tips you can trust. 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. On February 18, Crystal Cruises said it would require guests to receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before a cruise. In many cases, yes. To make sure the experience remains safe only vaccinated adults will. Check the cruise lines websites for the most up-to-date information.). Still, there are exceptions. Can I buy travel insurance through Norwegian Cruise Line? In mid-June, Viking announced that 'travelers cruising with Viking are no longer required to take a pre-cruise test. Get tested again after cruise travel. The slow return was impacted by low consumer confidence, continued health and safety concerns, and issues with air travel to and from ports., After all, the entire industry was paused in the early days of the pandemic. 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). Respiratory illnesses like the flu, and COVID-19 and the common cold. Please keep in mind that this is largely dependent on the local health authorities and the evolving regulations, which are subject to change. But ever since theCOVID-19 pandemicbegan, it's understandable to wonder whether you can go on a cruise if you're not vaccinated. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (If testing is required it can typically be either a PCR test or tele-health-monitored antigen test, paid for by the passenger. The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Affected 4 Different Cruise ShipsHere's Why Illness Can Spread so Fast at Sea. I need help securing a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, does NCL offer any testing services? Unvaccinated passengers are welcome to sail on all cruises departing from Europe and the U.S. Vaccination continues to be required on voyages to or from Australia, New Zealand, and the Galapagos Islands. We have improved our onboard medical capabilities with additional staffing directly related to sailing capacity, new and upgraded equipment and enhanced facilities. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. This website uses cookies. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. COVID-19 Protocols, Listed by Cruise Line | TravelAge West Disney Cruise Line. SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (August 12, 2022) - Princess Cruises today announced updated COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, removing the vaccine requirement for most voyages of less than 16 days so that anyone can cruise, and adjusting pre-travel testing requirements to make it less complicated. Mask Policy Masks on board are recommended but not required indoors or outdoors. American Cruise Lines requires COVID-19 vaccine for cruises through 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. 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. Confused about changing COVID-19 rules for cruise ships? Here's Starting March 11, 2023, proof of vaccination for sailings to or from Europe will no longer be required. But as noted above, some lines make exceptions to vaccination rules for young children. (The only"mix and match" approach to COVID-19 vaccinesin the US applies to boosters.). The just-announced cruises will depart from Florida, which has passed a law prohibiting companies from requiring proof of vaccination, and Texas, where lawmakers just passed a similar bill, according to the Texas Tribune. The cruise lines join Saga Cruises, a company catering to passengers 50 and older, which said last month it would require all guests to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before boarding. Unable to cruise. 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. Boarding Requirements FAQ | Royal Caribbean Cruises Under pandemic-era rules for restarting cruising, ships need to take volunteers on a test cruise to show they can mitigate the risks of covid-19. 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. In addition, guests will be required to agree to abide by all of the cruise line's health and safety protocols and acknowledge the risks associated with COVID-19 during their voyage and shoreside experiences. 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. Royal Caribbean just announced a flood of summer cruises. Paul Gauguin CruisesVaccinations are required for all passengers over age 5. In a statement, the cruise lines president and CEO, Michael Bayley, thanked elected officials including Gov. Our award-winning onboard medical centers are fully equipped with testing and treatment capabilities if needed. 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. Here's what to know about setting sail without a COVID-19 vaccination. Please refer to. Added coconut oil to cheap coffee before keto made it cool. 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. These guidelines will make it a simpler process, and make cruising accessible for those who were not able to meet the protocols that we were required to follow for much of the past 14 months, Carnivals president Christine Duffy said in a statement last month. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Travel is making its grand comeback, and were looking forward to the continued momentum from consumers around the world, Celebrity President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said last month. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, FDA, CDC expand Pfizer & Moderna bivalent vaccines to kids 6 months and up with Sandra Fryhofer, MD, Outbreak updates for international cruise ships. 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. 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. did not go that far. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications, remedies, and virus-testing equipment as available. This article was published more than1 year ago. When Will the Brightline to Orlando Open? For guests departing outside of the US who are cruising with Royal Caribbean, they may present a certificate of recovery. Fee is also hopeful that the remainder of cruise lines will follow suit soon. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages. Guests on cruises longer than 16 nights will have to test if stopping in destinations that require tests locally (like Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia; these destinations require the tests to be supervised). 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. Since late July, cruise lines have been further relaxing rules. 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. Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This could include but is not limited to proof of a specific negative COVID-19 test result or Booster. If you have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider about your cruise travel plans. Hubs, The Best Time to View D.C.s Cherry Blossoms This Year Is Sooner Than You Might Think, Low-Cost Carrier Norse Atlantic Adds London Routes From 4 U.S. Cities, Damon Dominique Believes Youre Already a Global Citizen, Stay Here Next: The Muir Hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Stay Here Next: The Alpina Gstaad in Switzerland. 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. American Queen VoyagesOn this lines river, ocean, Great Lakes and expedition ships, all passengers are required to be vaccinated. Some Cruise Lines to No Longer Require COVID Vaccines - AFAR - AFAR Media Disney Cruise LineBeginning 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. 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. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. Additionally, some cruise lines require unvaccinated people to present a negative test taken within a few days of boarding. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. As of June 10, Viking highly recommends, but no longer requires, a pre-departure COVID-19 testunless one is required by the destination, Viking said in an updated statement about health and safety protocols. This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. 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. While other cruise lines may not officially require vaccinations for kids that young yet, they may in the future. 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. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidance for cruise ships will become optional this . All onboard venues and activities will be available unless staffing or other challenges onboard prevent normal operations. We know from our advisors that their unvaccinated clients have been waiting for this announcement, and I have no doubt that we will see a spike in cruise bookings, Fee said. 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. All rights reserved. By continuing to browse the site you agree to our use of cookies. Guests may also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test by an accredited third-party with results from within two days of embarkation, if they choose. Additional terms and conditions may apply, see our COVID- 19 Policies and Procedures and your Cruise Ticket Contract for details. 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.. 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. Carnival Cruise Line is joining Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line in dropping its COVID-19 vaccine requirement.. No precruise testing is required for vaccinated guests on sailings of five nights or less. A line-by-line guide. 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. Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test in order to embark on the second leg of a back-to-back sailing? Heres a rundown of the basic rules for some leading cruise lines. But this past July, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dropped its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, letting individual cruise lines set their own standards.