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. Most major cruise lines still require passengers to be fully vaccinated, including having the relevant booster jabs. 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Some people waited to cruise until masks were no longer required while others wont step onboard until every covid-related protocol goes away. Award-winning beer ninja. 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. Some cruise lines encourage vaccination even though they dont require it. : Yes American Queen is even vaccinating its shoreside employees. Vaccine and pretrip testing requirements can be confusing, especially if you are cruising internationally. Vaccinated passengers dont need to test unless visiting Canada, Bermuda, Greece or Australia and on trips of 16 nights or longer. Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. In fact, apart from vaccines and testing, the onboard experience has returned to exactly what it was before the pandemic. 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. In other words, this is not something you want to put off until the last minute. Youll find expert advice for experienced and first-time cruisers, as well as port and destination guides. Also, most longer cruises will still require a vaccination. 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. No special request or exemption is need to sail unvaccinated. 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. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. For all sailings 5 nights or less, no testing is required for vaccinated guests. 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. Its understandable why many voyagers can get muddled on what they need to do in relation to COVID-19 vaccination requirements for their next cruise. Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard. 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. As Australia sees a rise in COVID-19 cases, policies are changing once again to try and prevent the spread of . Details: Royal Caribbeans latest mask policy. 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. To be considered vaccinated guests must have been vaccinated at least two weeks prior to boarding. Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return.. 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. 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. Unvaccinated guests are required to be tested. According to Royal Caribbeans website, the cruise line is working with local governments in the Eastern Caribbean to align on vaccination requirements for more itineraries.. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. Also Check: What Cruises Leave From Miami, As of August 8, 2022 only children under 12 are welcome as unvaccinated guests on Celebrity cruise lines when leaving the United States. 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. Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless they're traveling from or to a destination that requires it. Alaska Disney River Viking Norwegian Caribbean Carnival Hawaii Viking Search CRUISEINFO CLUB CRUISEINFO CLUB Alaska Disney River Viking Norwegian Caribbean Carnival Hawaii Viking CRUISEINFO CLUB Guests do not need to wear masks in their staterooms. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks are not required. All passengers will undergo a complimentary COVID-19 test during the pre-cruise hotel stay prior to embarkation. Cruise lines have begun to get rid of their COVID-19 vaccine requirement that they have mandated over the past 15 months since cruises have restarted. Remember that cruise ports such as San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, are actually part of the U.S. While each cruise line might accept different ones, the major vaccines Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca all seem to have wide acceptance. The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q& As happening daily! Vaccinated travelers will not need to test before embarkation. Is an Alaska Cruise Worth the Investment? Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard. No. MSC is a popular choice for passengers looking for relatively affordable fares. Will masks be required on cruise ships in 2022? That includes things like visiting restaurants or movie theaters, going to a sporting event, and of course, travel. As of November 17, 2022, Princess Cruise Lines has also reinstituted mandatory masks onboard for Australia and New Zealand sailings, stating that masking requirements may change at any time, so we ask for flexibility from our guests., Similarly, Royal Caribbean International also states that all guests should wear a mask while travelling through the terminal and in public indoor spaces or crowded outdoor spaces onboard and that protocols are subject to change.. 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. All other sailings require proof of vaccination and booster until further notice. Currently, more than 120 countries have dropped all restrictions, including many popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean and Europe. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. 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. Guests who have certain pre-existing medical conditions . We had somewhere in the neighborhood of 4000 passengers on board and I would venture to guess that less than 2% wore masks. Now, a recent shift has led to cruise lines removing those hurdles as well. Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Bahamas and Caribbean cruises that leave from Florida ports still have vaccine rules in place. 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. Cruise vacations are a great way to explore the world and have a fun and relaxing time. In compliance with U.K. guidance, Fred. Check out our recap of youth immunization policies for details on cruise vaccination requirements for kids. On voyages that visit Greece or Italy, they are required on the ship when indoors. Vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers can go on all other cruises, with unvaccinated guests showing proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within three days of embarkation. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. Crew Vaccinated? The Disney Magic cruise ship will make the change on Nov. 7. The CDC updated its guidelines on July 18 so that vaccination is no longer a requirement instead, its merely recommended. Carnival will now allow all passengers including those who are unvaccinated to sail freely as of September 6, 2022. Disney Cruise Line, which recently welcomed a new ship to its fleet, requires unvaccinated children to wear their masks when using shared onboard youth centers, and also asks all travelers to wear a mask at all times when at the cruise terminal. It seems most cruise lines are following the CDCs definition of fully vaccinated, which means two weeks have passed since your second shot of Pfizer or Moderna, or since your one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot. 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. It must be noted that at this time, this policy only impacts Carnival cruises in Australia, and masks are not required on any Carnival ships in other regions. Our Crew will remain fully vaccinated as they are now. Read Also: How Much Are Cruises Out Of Galveston. Unvaccinated travelers may embark with a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken within three days prior to embarkation. 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. 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. A number of cruise lines have reviewed their policies following the change. 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. You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. You can view Virgin Voyages latest policies here. Main photo: a cruise ship docked near Grand Turk Island. 3 things to know before stepping foot on the ship, When Can You Book Excursions On Disney Cruise, Spirit Of Washington Dc Sunset Dinner Cruise With Buffet, Toyota Fj Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Edition For Sale. 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. 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. MSC also requires unvaccinated children between 2 and 5 to wear a mask when indoors. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Not sure where to go? Still, there are exceptions. Cruises from Australia or those 16 nights or longer do still require a passenger be vaccinated to sail. In most cases, no. We previously reported in our guide to cruise lines mask policies article that a large number of brands would be dropping all mask requirements onboard their ships as of today. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs new cruise newsletter. That creates a peace of mind you dont get on other types of vacations. On sailings departing Singapore, masks are mandatory on the ship when indoors. Currently, booster shots are not required for any passengers. Masks will now be required in all indoor public spaces or in any crowded venue, indoors or outdoors, regardless of vaccination status. Also called a bivalent booster, the updated booster became available for people aged 511 on October 12, 2022. Starting in late February, Virgin Voyages adjusted its policies from requiring masks when indoors to going completely mask-free. View Best Prices on NCL, Royal Caribbean Starting on September 5, 2022, guests who are not vaccinated will be able to sail on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, the worlds largest cruise line. 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. Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Check your cruise lines website for more details. 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. Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Until recently, Virgin Voyages had a simple policy. Policy: Masks are not required onboard, except in the medical center. Disney rolled back its COVID vaccine requirement for passengers aged 5 to 11 in early September. In turn, each operator has prepared their own cruise vaccination policy that is designed to work across all destinations they service. Have no fear, we provide all the relevant links and information you need for all of the major cruise lines below. Every other cruise line has a tough decision to make. Children who are aged 4 or younger do not need vaccination proof or a COVID test. Royal Caribbean Group, parent company of Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity, also rolled back its testing requirements this month, following the end of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships. fred o. Fred. If you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider about the risks of traveling. Norwegian Cruise Line takes Florida to court over vaccine mandate ban, Celebrity Cruise Lines will not require proof of vaccination. 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. Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot. For all country specific travel requirements, travelers should visit www.ncl.com/travel-requirements-by-country. Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. Many other cruise line operators and brands made similar protocol changes, including Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. Olsen Cruise Lines. Additionally, it's important to check the latest travel advisories and restrictions for your destination before booking a cruise. 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. You May Like: 7 Day Alaska Cruises From Seattle. The reintroduced policy is effective immediately, and there is no announced end date for when it may be relaxed. That number has come down from 95% and it was generally believed to be a number to account for kids too young to get vaccinated to be onboard. 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. The question for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian becomes which changes will lead to the most passengers on their ships? Most lines only accept vaccines recognized and approved by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Don't get me wrong, I totally support the wearing of masks in the general public because we don't know who is and is not vaccinated. Carnival no longer requires masks on its ships. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. A number of cruise lines have reviewed their policies following the change. This article contains links which are ads and if you click on a link and buy a product we will earn revenue. Disney Cruise Lines joins Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Holland America Line, which no longer require vaccinations on most sailings. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Hi, this may be of interest to you: 8 Cruise Lines Drop Their Face Mask Requirements. There are exceptions, however, such as dining venues, where guests can eat and drink without face . 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. Booked guests can get up-to-date information using the Cruise Personalizer tool. If you are allowed onboard, you will need to be tested precruise, which is required for unvaccinated children as well. 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. If you have received one of these shots, then you should be good to go. Cruising is slowly returning to the seas, and many cruise lines are now open or planning to reopen soon. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. This article was originally published in February 2022. 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. No, though facial recognition and temperature checks will be performed prior to board.