Cruise lines are gradually easing restrictions and resuming operations, with some already allowing unvaccinated passengers to disembark. Also Check: 7 Night Western Mediterranean Cruise. Children age 12 to 15 must have received two initial doses of the vaccination. Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? - 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. Olsen passengers are required to wear a mask onboard when not in their staterooms, eating or drinking, or seated in a deck . This simplifies the requirements to sail. As of September 5, 2022, Royal Caribbean will no longer require passengers to be vaccinated to sail if departing from ports in California, Louisiana, and Texas. Currently, more than 120 countries have dropped all restrictions, including many popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean and Europe. Heres a rundown of the basic rules for some leading cruise lines. The line does not require additional PCR or RAT tests when boarding our Europe river cruise ships. Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken within three days prior to embarkation. Norwegian, which mandates 100% of guests and crew be vaccinated to sail and did not previously require masks be worn, will now mandate face coverings for sailings through Dec. 19, according to the . If you have received one of these shots, then you should be good to go. 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. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. The Cruise Lines International Association has 60 members including Carnival and MSC Cruises. 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. Virgin does not allow children on its ships, so it was sailing with 100% vaccination rates. Will Lines Still Require a Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Test Before a Cruise? 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. We expect approximately 90 percent of our guests will be vaccinated. For general information on testing, please refer to our article on cruise testing requirements. 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. Carnival Cruise Line won't require masks on board starting next month, making the company the latest cruise line to ditch mandatory face coverings. Details: Holland Americas latest mask policy. Passengers are encouraged to wear them . Major cruise lines that continue to have a masking policy in place for indoor public areas of their ships include Azamara, Cunard, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Viking. Disney rolled back its COVID vaccine requirement for passengers aged 5 to 11 in early September. Democrats have denounced the new law and accused DeSantis of undermining both public health and the cruise industry. Youll find expert advice for experienced and first-time cruisers, as well as port and destination guides. 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. Get Expert Tips. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Furthermore, all cruise travelers should be aware that any cruise line has the authority to update protocols in any region, for any sailing, at any time, should it be deemed necessary for public health and safety and the health and safety of those aboard a ship. Norwegian Cruise Line , the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced that it has updated its global health and safety protocols by removing all COVID-19 testing, masking and vaccination requirements effective Oct. 4, 2022. Check your airlines protocols around testing, mask-wearing, vaccination, or quarantining if youre flying before or after the cruise. 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. Can I still have sex during the coronavirus pandemic? Vaccinated travelers will not need to test before embarkation. Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. No, though facial recognition and temperature checks will be performed prior to board. In an abundance of caution in response to recent cases reported onboard cruise ships, Carnival Cruise Line has reintroduced mandatory mask wearing policies for the cruise line's. While each cruise line might accept different ones, the major vaccines Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca all seem to have wide acceptance. Others have eliminated both Covid vaccination requirements and testing requirements for some, but not all, passengers based on itineraries or cruise lengths. And the rules are constantly changing. Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless theyre traveling from or to a destination that requires it. The CDC updated its guidelines on July 18 so that vaccination is no longer a requirement instead, its merely recommended. Masks continue to be required for unvaccinated guests in indoor public areas. 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. You May Like: 7 Day Alaska Cruises From Seattle. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Fried, a Democrat, is running to unseat DeSantis in next years election. Disney Cruise Line, which recently welcomed . 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. These Cruise Lines Are Requiring Passengers To Wear Masks Again All The Details. Younger passengers are not subject to any vaccination requirements or testing protocols. The good news is that given the vaccines, a milder variant, and prior cases, the amount of serious illness seems lower. For passengers who are 5 and older and fully vaccinated, a COVID test is not required, but proof of vaccination is needed. The CDC updated its guidelines on July 18 so that vaccination is no longer a requirement instead, its merely recommended. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, should expect to be tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding a cruise ship. But with the pandemic still ongoing, many cruise lines have implemented safety protocols, including the requirement to wear masks. However, your cruise line will have more details about which specific shots they accept. Pre-voyage testing is not required for guests with proof of vaccination unless local regulations stipulate otherwise. If Cruises Sail With Vaccinated & Unvaccinated Passengers, Is Everything Back to Normal? Dont Miss: Do Any Cruise Lines Allow Dogs. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. First-time cruisers:3 things to know before stepping foot on the ship, Recommended Reading: Cruise Capital Of The World. 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. 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. Dont Miss: What Cruise Ships Sail Out Of San Francisco. As an adults-only cruise line, Virgin required everyone on the ship to be vaccinated. Cruise like a pro with expert tips from our editors. Vaccinated passengers dont need to test unless visiting Canada, Bermuda, Greece or Australia and on trips of 16 nights or longer. Australia has been one of the more strict regions of the world with respect to pandemic cruise travel restrictions. Go to Boards. 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. Hell of a Cruise:Highlighting the panic, failures of the COVID early days. 2. These brands are Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Seabourn. Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Fully vaccinated passengers do not have to test prior to sailing. In the fall of 2022, many popular cruise lines dropped the requirement for passengers to be up-to-date on Covid-19 vaccinations. 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. In addition to staying up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC recommends that people who plan to cruise do the following: Dont Miss: Which Cruise Line Gives The Best Military Discount. Disney Cruise Lines joins Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Holland America Line, which no longer require vaccinations on most sailings. What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air filters and buffets have been eliminated. Oceania CruisesFully vaccinated passengers aged 12 and older dont need a test to embark. Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers, no exceptions, need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Norwegian Cruise Line takes Florida to court over vaccine mandate ban, Celebrity Cruise Lines will not require proof of vaccination. Cruising is slowly returning to the seas, and many cruise lines are now open or planning to reopen soon. Still, there are exceptions. AzamaraPassengers no longer need to take pre-travel Covid tests except where required by local restrictions. Some people waited to cruise until masks were no longer required while others wont step onboard until every covid-related protocol goes away. 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. Note: There may be additional requirements if you are traveling internationally, and the rules can changesometimes overnight. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line began waiving vaccination and testing requirements in October. 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. Some lines, however, may still require one or more protocols to be adhered to, either on a voyage-by-voyage basis or on a destination-basis. 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. Check with your specific cruise line for the latest information, keeping in mind that the rules can and do shift. The cruise line said it will accept an antigen, PCR, or Nucleic Acid Amplification Test test. Amateur zombie evangelist. 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. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks may be required in public areas on the ship . 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. The company shared that information in an email that was sent to people booked on upcoming sailings. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. No. Carnival no longer requires masks on its ships. The cruise line said COVID vaccines will no longer be required for passengers 12 and older on the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, and Disney Wonder cruise ships starting on Oct. 14. Its almost unheard of for a vaccinated person to get seriously ill with Covid-19, she said in an email. On Alaska voyages between Whittier and Vancouver, they are required on the ship when indoors. Policy: Masks are not required onboard, except for in a few select indoor locations. Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may designate areas as only accessible to fully vaccinated passengers and crew where masks and physical distancing are not required (e.g., casinos . We had somewhere in the neighborhood of 4000 passengers on board and I would venture to guess that less than 2% wore masks. The cruise line states some itineraries will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel, and that instructors will be sent out 30 days prior to travel. No special request or exemption is need to sail unvaccinated. Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Cruise Line. Additionally, many cruise lines are still enforcing social distancing measures onboard and in public areas.When planning a cruise vacation, it's important to research the safety protocols of each cruise line before booking. Disney Cruise Lines joins Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Holland America Line, which no longer require vaccinations on most sailings. Most major cruise lines still require passengers to be fully vaccinated, including having the relevant booster jabs. 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. In late July, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) withdrew its COVID-19 Program for cruise ships, allowing individual cruise lines to set their own standards. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends updating people on their COVID-19 vaccines before going on a cruise. Olsen Cruise Lines. Carnival Cruise LineOnly passengers on sailings to Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia, plus cruises of 16 nights or more, need to be fully vaccinated. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. 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. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control stopped tracking the presence of covid on ships and issued a new set of guidelines for the cruise industry. As of the fall of 2022, many cruise line have dropped vaccination, testing and masking requirements. Also called a bivalent booster, the updated booster became available for people aged 511 on October 12, 2022. In addition to the protection COVID-19 vaccines provide to individual travelers in preventing severe illness or death from COVID-19, having a high proportion of travelers on board who are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines reduces the likelihood that cruise ships medical centers are overwhelmed by cases of COVID-19.. Carnival Cruise Line updated its Have Fun. The chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high because the virus spreads easily between people in close quarters aboard ships. Carnival Cruise Line wont require unvaccinated guests to apply for an exemption to sail after Sept. 6. 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. Also Check: Best Hotels Near Miami Cruise Port Virgin Voyages Vaccine Policy All passengers over the age of 12 must be fully vaccinated. There are exceptions, however, such as dining venues, where guests can eat and drink without face . 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. As well, even if not required, Royal Caribbean asks that you still bring proof of vaccination to your cruise. And you may have to be vaccinated or not. 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. 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. Celebrity is not requiring booster shots for any passengers at this time. 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. 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. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. Some of its current passengers have chosen to sail because every adult onboard has been tested and vaccinated. Some may also require pre-board testing for unvaccinated people. If you dont have the shot, then cruise lines are easing rules in that you dont have to be vaccinated to sail in many cases. Recommended Reading: When Are Cruise Ships Sailing Again. Bahamas and Caribbean cruises that leave from Florida ports still have vaccine rules in place. Recommended Reading: What Is Included In Crystal Cruises. There are a few exceptions. Princess Cruises will remove vaccination requirements on Sept. 6 for most voyages that are less than 16 days. COVID-19 vaccine exemptions at Carnivals Long Beach, California port will only be accepted for kids under age 12 and when required by US federal law due to religious beliefs or medical reasons. 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. 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. As well, no vaccine will be required if sailing from Europe. Many other cruise line operators and brands made similar protocol changes, including Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. Carnival Cruise Line is now requiring all guests and crew to wear masks aboard two vessels, and other cruise lines are doing the same. Despite Floridas law, Norwegian Cruise Line is also insisting it will require everyone on board its ships to be fully inoculated against Covid-19. Virgin does not allow children on its ships, so it was sailing with 100% vaccination rates. This simplifies the requirements to sail. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. 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. Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard except in the medical center. 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. All guests will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to boarding. A single shot of the Johnson & Johnson dose is ok, but still requires receiving it well in advance of sailing. CunardAll guests age 16 and up must be vaccinated, including with booster shots. Booster jabs are required where eligible and are considered effective immediately. Recommended Reading: When Can You Book Excursions On Disney Cruise. First and foremost, unvaccinated passengers of any age are allowed to sail the cruise line without having to first apply for an exemption as was previously required. 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. Those requirements would not be necessary on the same cruise without a stop in Colombia. Vaccine and pretrip testing requirements can be confusing, especially if you are cruising internationally. And, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to evolve, vaccination requirements shift as well. MSC also requires unvaccinated children between 2 and 5 to wear a mask when indoors. 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. Now, the cruise brand owned by billionaire Richard Branson has quietly decided to allow some unvaccinated sailors, as it calls its passengers, on its upcoming voyages. 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. Thats because the short answer is, it depends! We feature properties from a specially selected list of trusted operators who are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. 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. Unvaccinated passengers will be required to show a negative test for all trips. As a result, people are able to get back to the things they love and cruises have had a successful restart with millions heading back to sea. Dont Miss: What Cruise Lines Go To Tahiti. Monitor yourself for symptoms after the trip, and isolate yourself if you have a positive test or develop symptoms. You May Like: How Big Are The Disney Cruise Ships. The revenue generated will help us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism. MSC currently offers cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas from Florida. 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. 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. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Compare and find the best cruise deals. Children age 12 to 15 must have received two initial doses of the vaccination. 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. 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. MORE: 8. 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. Cruises from Australia or those 16 nights or longer do still require a passenger be vaccinated to sail. 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. The cruise industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is some good news on the horizon. Details: Royal Caribbeans latest mask policy. It's important to note that while some cruise lines have relaxed their mask policies, they still require travelers to follow other safety protocols. The TSA no longer requires face. Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard. Celebrity Cruises 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. Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. Crew will be tested regularly while on board. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. The revenue generated will help us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. When asked how Carnival intends to handle Floridas new law, a spokesperson did not comment on the decision to break from the law and instead referred NBC News to its frequently-asked-questions page, which states that guests will be asked to confirm their status as fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and provide proof of vaccination in advance of boarding, unless a vaccination exemption is given in advance. The following cruise lines have dropped all restrictions, including vaccine, testing, and mask rules, with exceptions only for itineraries that visit countries with restrictions still in place. That means receiving a final primary dose and an updated booster shot, which became available for people older than 12 on September 2, 2022.