To board Carnival ships, unvaccinated guests need to show a negative PCR or an antigen test within three days of boarding (self-tests are now accepted by Carnival for boarding purposes). It also varies based on different rules for cruise ships or territories, and evolving guidance from the CDC. 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. All guests are strongly advised to monitor current travel requirements and advisories for their home countries. Lindblad ExpeditionsAll passengers age 5 and older must be vaccinated. A cruise can be a fun way to visit certain areas of the world at a slower pace. For an easy-to-use online tool for locating COVID-19 testing providers around the world, please visitwww.TestForTravel.com. This includes vaccines. While other cruise lines may not officially require vaccinations for kids that young yet, they may in the future. Specific destinations still require testing such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. Do I need another booster? Check out our variety of itineraries. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations that continue to require vaccinations. 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. Detours with locals. Disney also highly recommends vaccines for younger kids. Latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Schedule an on-line proctoring consultation, Any documentation required from the country where the guest is embarking. Norwegian Cruise Line | Sail Safe | Health & Safety Protocols Small ship company Windstar Cruises said Monday it also will require passengers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, The Miami Herald reported. Read our. "We have been waiting a long time for this moment to arrive, Oceanias president and CEO Howard Sherman said in a statement. 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. The cruise line continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. Cruises that are 16 nights or longer may have additional requirements based on the itinerary. Disney Cruise Line became the first cruise line to requirepassengers as young as 5 to be vaccinated for sailings starting Jan. 13. People . SeabournAs of September 6, fully vaccinated passengers will no longer be required to submit a precruise COVID-19 test. 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. Carnival Cruise Line drops COVID-19 vaccine requirement for most That's because cruise ships, with their tight quarters, buffet-style living and international travel, can be a breeding ground for the coronavirus. As of December 2022, if it has been at least2 monthssince their last dose, children as young as 6 months who completed the Modernaprimary series can receive one updated bivalent booster dose. 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. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on most voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations with local regulations that may continue to require vaccination including Australia. If you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider about the risks of traveling. Here are some of the latest cruise lines that are pulling back on pandemic measures. COVID-19 Protocols, Listed by Cruise Line | TravelAge West All rights reserved. For guests departing outside of the US who are cruising with Royal Caribbean, they may present a certificate of recovery. Do You Need To Be Vaccinated To Go on a Cruise? Guests can rest assured that their health and safety are our top priority and measures will be communicated in a timely manner ahead of our return to sailing., Latest on the cruise comeback: Rogue wave incident | Overboard passenger saved | Covid hits Sydney cruise | Carnival fining unruly passengers | Unvaccinated passengers welcomed | Cheap cruises | No more CDC stats | Record bookings | Rape lawsuit | Carnival fire | Passenger bill of rights | CDC drops cruise warnings | Passenger overboard | Crystal ships seized. These rules apply to cruises of under 16 nights. 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. In order to keep our guests as safe as possible, we highly recommend taking our company organized shore excursions as a more controlled environment for you to enjoy your time in each of the destinations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All departures from the U.S. that are nine nights or less dont require any testing, unless they stop in Canada or Bermuda. While some cruise lines operating in Europe have been requiring all passengers to be vaccinated, the C.D.C. Are there any restrictions on pre-existing health conditions or limitations for guests due to COVID-19? 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. According to the CDC, "cruise ship travel presents a unique combination of health concerns.". Youll find expert advice for experienced and first-time cruisers, as well as port and destination guides. You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. 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. 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. 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. Many major cruise lines require anyone who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to be fully inoculated . Cruise Lines With Covid Vaccine Requirements for Guests and Crew - Yahoo! These U.S. Cruise Lines Will Require Passengers Be Vaccinated - Travel But now cruise lines are starting to drop those vaccine and testing requirements, making it easier for cruise-goers to sail the seas. 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. Children age 12 to 15 must have received two initial doses of the vaccination. CunardAll guests age 16 and up must be vaccinated, including with booster shots. What You Need to Know About Norwegian Cruise Lines Premium+ Drink Package, 12 Things to Know Before Sailing Royal Caribbean, Carnival Drops Pre-Cruise Testing & Vaccination Requirements, NCLH Drops COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements, Welcomes Everyone to Sail, 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. These Cruises Will Require Guests to Have COVID Vaccinations One Cruise Planners franchise owner in San Diego, Calif. has yet to record an immediate boost in bookings. Vaccines must be approved for use by the country they are sailing from. Cruise Lines That Don't Require Vaccine and Pre-Cruise Testing Check with Seabourn for protocols on your specific sailing. 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. If you are allowed onboard, you will need to be tested precruise, which is required for unvaccinated children as well. But ever since theCOVID-19 pandemicbegan, it's understandable to wonder whether you can go on a cruise if you're not vaccinated. Results need to be uploaded before boarding. Travel tips you can trust. For full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean, and select remote voyages, testing and vaccines are still required. The CDC has said vaccinated cruise passengers can remove their masks outdoors unless theyre in a crowd. Those eligible for boosters are also required to have received them. This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. Jessica is a writer on the Wellness team with a focus on health news. If you have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider about your cruise travel plans. Temperature checks occur daily. All passengers must be vaccinated. RELATED: Carnival Drops Pre-Cruise Testing & Vaccination Requirements. Will I have to sign a COVID-19 waiver to board a ship? 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. 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.. 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. Confused about changing COVID-19 rules for cruise ships? Here's 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. Purchasing in-home testing kits is simple. 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 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. C.D.C. Issues New Guidance for Cruise Lines - The New York Times We strongly recommend that fully vaccinated guests . Should you need to locate a testing provider prior to beginning travel or while traveling prior to your cruise, please visit TestForTravel.com, an easy-to-use online tool for locating COVID-19 testing providers around the world. 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line, 20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line, 11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog. Can I go on a cruise without being vaccinated or take a pre-boarding Fee is also hopeful that the remainder of cruise lines will follow suit soon. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. There are still some cruise lines that have not yet indicated they will relax their COVID protocols, though their numbers are dwindling. 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. Unvaccinated guests are permitted to sail on most MSC voyages. Inspired Diagnostics is a subsidiary of Inspire Health Alliance, a leader in best-in-class health services. But specific policies vary, and sometimes unvaccinated people have extra requirements. Some ships can hold more than 5,400 passengers at two to a room. Please refer to. 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. 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.. That's hard to say because it depends on the state of the pandemic at any given time. The line doesn't allow kids younger than 8 years old to sail, so young-child exemptions aren't a . All guests are required to accept the terms and conditions in our guest ticket contract. 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. Booster shots are not required. There are no restrictions for those under the age of 11. Please keep in mind that this is largely dependent on the local health authorities and the evolving regulations, which are subject to change. Check the cruise lines websites for the most up-to-date information.). American Medical Association. 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. To find out more, please. Many US-based cruise lines say they're currently following the regulations put forth by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and those are subject to change as the coronavirus pandemic does. So far, the CDC has approved nine ships for test cruises, operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. Precruise testing is required for unvaccinated passengers. This is the news weve been waiting for, said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners. They're also easing rules for pre-boarding testing, making it easier for cruise-goers to sail the seas. 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. Note: There may be additional requirements if you are traveling internationally, and the rules can changesometimes overnight. International travel requirements and restrictions continue to evolve. Retesting three to five days after returning, and in particular, if symptoms have developed, is also advised, says Dr. Jasmin Valentin of Sameday Health. People can also pick up pathogens from port visits and bring them back onto the ship, infecting others. For additional information, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. Dont Delay, Wait Times Have Climbed, American Is Cutting 50,000 Summer Flights From These U.S. Masks are no longer required. Heres a rundown of the basic rules for some leading cruise lines. 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. If you're vaccinated, that decreases your chances of having a positive test and having to skip your trip at the last minute. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Royal Caribbean Won't Require Covid-19 Vaccination To Ride U - Forbes Viking strongly recommends passengers receive a booster dose before departing. Check your airline's protocols around testing, mask-wearing, vaccination, or quarantining if you're flying before or after the cruise. COVID-19 vaccine exemptions at Carnival's 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. Even so, Celestyal suggests all guests test prior to travel, regardless of vaccination status, but test results will no longer be checked next year. Can You Go on a Cruise Without Being Vaccinated? - Health It wasnt clear Friday how many people would be able to sail on each of the just-announced cruises, which will visit the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Which Cruise Lines Have a COVID Vaccine Requirement? Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications, remedies, and virus-testing equipment as available. NOTE: Carnival Spirit - April 16, 2023, & September 19, 2023: These sailings do not require proof of vaccination, vaccine exemption or testing. 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. All passengers must also present a negative PCR test result at the pier. Can I go on a cruise if I'm not vaccinated? - CNET Related: Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? Travelers ages 11 and under will not be subject to any vaccination requirements or testing protocols. Windstar will also administer for each passenger a complimentary COVID-19 test prior to sailing. It turns out that you can usually board a cruise ship without being vaccinated for COVID-19. The requirement was initially going to last until Oct. 31. Before your trip, you will need to review your cruise lines health and safety protocols. But like the latter lines, it'll still make you show proof of one for some sailings. 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). Unvaccinated guests are welcome with a medically supervised or self-test within three days of sailing. (If testing is required it can typically be either a PCR test or tele-health-monitored antigen test, paid for by the passenger. No documentation is required to board, but disclosure is required in advance, and those who are not vaccinated do still need to show a negative result on an antigen or PCR test within three days of departure. CDC lifts some mask rules for vaccinated cruise passengers, This is it, Bayley said in the statement. And documented guests ages 12 and older who are fully vaccinated (according to the destination they are embarking and/or traveling to) no longer need to be tested for the coronavirus prior to sailing. 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? Norwegian Cruise Line Extends Vaccine Requirement Through End - Travel The Crystal Symphony. 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. Crystal Cruises. Booked guests will be provided full details specific to their port of departure before sailing, Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Lyan Sierra-Caro said in an email. Guests will no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result prior to departing home. Health and safety is our top priority, and we will continue to modify our robust SailSafe program as the public health environment evolves. Vaccine questions, answered. 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. When cruise lines restarted operations in summer 2021, after being banned by the CDC from operating for 15 months due to COVID-19-related safety concerns, it was with strict CDC-imposed regulations. Testing at home is safe, simple, and convenient. Starting with departures from October 8, 2022, guests who are vaccinated will no longer have to take a pre-boarding antigen test 48 hours before departure, if the itinerary starts in South America, the Caribbean, the United Arab Emirates, and the Mediterranean (with the exception of Greece). We will comply with all local regulations at all destinations we visit. (Unvaccinated guests will have to undergo special testing onboard to visit Spain or Greece.) The changes began shortly. The reality is even if you booked a cruise with the assumption you were going to be on a ship where everyone is vaccinated and tested, that may no longer be the case. The cruise industries have seen a slower return to normal since the pandemic, but are definitely making a comeback, says Dr. Jan Jones of the University of New Havens hospitality and tourism department. Now many brand loyalists are chatting about jumping ship, so to speak, to a Norwegian company if their otherwise preferred cruise line does not also do away with vaccine requirements in the near future. We have also enhanced our onboard medical capabilities with additional staffing and enhanced facilities. AzamaraPrecruise testing is no longer required for vaccinated guests, except in ports where testing is required. 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. Despite the law, two of the biggest cruise lines, Carnival and Norwegian have decided to impose proof-of-vaccination requirements, according to information published on their websites.. Drug-sniffing dogs and $500 fines: Carnival tries to tame cruises, Battery fire on Spirit flight to Florida sends 10 to hospital, In a crowded place, a face mask or respirator keeps the virus away, The investigation into covids origins must continue, Your questions about covid-19, answered by Dr. Leana Wen, Lab leak report energizes Republicans covid probes, We are asking the wrong question about the origins of covid, Doctors who touted ivermectin as covid fix now pushing it for flu, RSV, First combination home test for flu and covid cleared by the FDA. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the cruise line said in a news release. I will have a better idea at the end of this week.. 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. Unvaccinated guests will only need to submit a self-administered test taken within three days of sailing. 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. Unable to cruise. 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cruise ships often have food buffets, which can be easily contaminated and lead to the rapid spread of illnesses like norovirus. Also, crew members may work multiple voyages, passing on germs transmitted from previous passengers. (Note: This information is accurate as of February 7, 2023. What Cruise Lines Allow Unvaccinated Guests Travel Requirements by Port & Country - Norwegian Cruise Line Also called a "bivalent" booster, the updated booster became available for people aged 511 on October 12, 2022. Norwegian still strongly recommends that all guests be up to date on their vaccination status and test at their convenience before travel. Every ship has a team of experienced doctors and nurses trained to manage a broad range of medical conditions, including COVID-19. Once booked and on board, passengers should take the appropriate precautions, but they should also remember to have funit is a vacation!. When people are in a small space, keeping distance from one another is more difficult. Ad Choices. Additionally, the following services offer a verified third party or medically supervised at home testing:eMed or BioReference-Scarlett Concierge testing service BioReference sends a trained Scarlet Health Professional to your home to collect your COVID-19 test specimen. On March 19, 2021, Celebrity Cruises announced that Celebrity Millennium would begin cruises out of St. Maarten on June 5, 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has kept cruise lines from U.S. sailings since March 2020, has recommended that passengers, crew and port workers be vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidance for cruise ships will become optional this . Respiratory illnesses like the flu, and COVID-19 and the common cold. No precruise testing is required for vaccinated guests on sailings of five nights or less. Some countries issue "certificates of recovery" if someone has been infected with COVID-19 and recovered, issuing a certificate that proves a positive COVID-19 test and recovery, instead of vaccination as someone's proof of immunity. Are children required to have a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? It depends. American Cruise Lines requires COVID-19 vaccine for cruises through If you feel ill in the days before your cruise, you should not travel. All guests 18 and older must be vaccinated to sail, plus one booster shot if eligible. 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. 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.