NOTE: Carnival Spirit - April 16, 2023, & September 19, 2023: These sailings do not require proof of vaccination, vaccine exemption or testing. Since late July, cruise lines have been further relaxing rules. *Please note, in the event a port included as part of an itinerary requires additional COVID-19 testing in order for guests to disembark, Norwegian Cruise line will facilitate the testing onboard. Last week, Disney Cruise Line became the first cruise line to require passengers as young as 5 to be vaccinated for sailings starting Jan. 13. If your cruise line does not have a specific testing requirement, get tested as close to time of cruise departure as possible (no more than 3 days before you travel). Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the cruise line said in a news release. No precruise testing is required for vaccinated guests on sailings of five nights or less. How do I know if there are any travel restrictions that could impact my cruise? 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. Should the need arise, we also have partnerships with onshore medical institutions in place to provide clinical advice and assistance as needed. 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. Guests who fail to agree to these terms and conditions will not be permitted to board. While . 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. Related: Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? While guests over the age of five previously had to be vaccinated, starting in early September, unvaccinated passengers under the age of 12 are now allowed to board. I will have a better idea at the end of this week.. 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. Can You Get Omicron and Delta COVID-19 Variants at the Same Time? We have increased intensive care units (ICU) capacity onboard and ICUs are equipped with infusion pumps, IV treatments, cardiac monitors, defibrillators, cardiac pacemakers and ventilators. Get your annual flu shot and get up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. Those eligible for boosters are also required to have received them. Its hard to say how this will affect me, advisor Adam Martindale said. 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. Are children required to have a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? Unvaccinated children five to 11 years old will no longer need the vaccine to sail. 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. Small ship company Windstar Cruises said Monday it also will require passengers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, The Miami Herald reported. 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. There are no restrictions for those under the age of 11. 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. 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. Here are some of the latest cruise lines that are pulling back on pandemic measures. 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. Guests who have symptoms of COVID-19 whilst onboard should immediately contact the onboard medical centre for further instruction. Inspired Diagnostics is a subsidiary of Inspire Health Alliance, a leader in best-in-class health services. Yes, we offer guests the option to purchase travel protection plans. Before boarding, you may need to present a vaccine waiver, wear a mask, or provide a negative test. Note: There may be additional requirements if you are traveling internationally, and the rules can changesometimes overnight. RELATED: Carnival Drops Pre-Cruise Testing & Vaccination Requirements. That means receiving a final primary dose and an updated booster shot, which became available for people older than 12 on September 2, 2022. Precruise testing is required for all guests. The cruise line continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel. This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. American Queen VoyagesOn this lines river, ocean, Great Lakes and expedition ships, all passengers are required to be vaccinated. The protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, including Canada, Australia, and Greece. Guests requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test to return to their home country are directed to visit a clinic near the disembarkation terminal or airport. C.D.C. Issues New Guidance for Cruise Lines - The New York Times 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). Should You Test for COVID Before Your Omicron Booster? 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. Will I be required to take a COVID test to disembark the vessel? The CDC director answered your questions. Windstar will also administer for each passenger a complimentary COVID-19 test prior to sailing. Cruises that are 16 nights or longer may have additional requirements based on the itinerary. Lindblad Expeditions is among the shrinking number of cruise lines that continue to require vaccination and testing. Royal Caribbean did not answer a question about whether its decision not to require vaccinations for passengers was a result of the states bans. This article was published more than1 year ago. The CDC has said vaccinated cruise passengers can remove their masks outdoors unless theyre in a crowd. It's also important to know that while all adults in the US are now eligible for boosters, the definition of "fully vaccinated" hasn't changed and you don't need an extra shot to be considered fully vaccinated. Vaccine questions, answered. Guest may also be required to present the negative results of a COVID-19 test taken prior to embarkation day. These 3 Cruise Lines Don't Require Vaccination Against COVID-19 Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 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. Children under 5 leaving the U.S. or under 12 leaving Europe also dont need to test. If you are allowed onboard, you will need to be tested precruise, which is required for unvaccinated children as well. No, we do not currently have any restrictions or limitations for guests with pre-existing health conditions. - 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. CDC Shares New Real-World Data on Updated Shots. The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships. Additionally, starting this week, vaccinated passengers no longer need to test before embarking. 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Monitor yourself for symptoms after the trip, and isolate yourself if you have a positive test or develop symptoms. 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. 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. Boarding Requirements FAQ | Royal Caribbean Cruises Check with the cruise line for protocols on pre-board testing and vaccination. Cruise Lines Eliminate COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements & Pre-Cru Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. For other agents, the business benefits remain to be seen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends updating people on their COVID-19 vaccines before going on a cruise. 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. Rules may be different depending on requirements of locales visited. The line doesn't allow kids younger than 8 years old to sail, so young-child exemptions aren't a . Please refer to. Temperature checks occur daily. Guests will no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result prior to departing home. 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. A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. COVID-19 Cruise Health & Safety Protocols | Celebrity Cruises Detours with locals. Cruise Ship Travel During COVID-19 | CDC Youll find expert advice for experienced and first-time cruisers, as well as port and destination guides. 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. Guests under the age of 12 dont have any vaccination or testing requirements. If you have a cruise booked, you should keep checking the cruise lines website or contact the line for the latest rules. Unvaccinated guests are welcome on most voyages. See the full list of vaccines approved by the WHO here. Other cruise lines are singing the same tune. Royal Caribbean announces cruises with no vaccine requirement - The Beginning 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. Starting March 11, 2023, proof of vaccination for sailings to or from Europe will no longer be required. As of this month, the majority of cruise passengers are required to be both fully vaccinated and tested for COVID-19 before getting on a ship; some exceptions to the vaccination rules applied only for kids under age 12 and a very small number of adults seeking exemptions. Our long-awaited revisions to our testing and vaccination requirements bring us closer in line with the rest of society, which has learned to adapt and live with COVID-19, and makes it simpler and easier for our loyal guests to cruise on our three best-in-class brands, said Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of NCLH. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine before your cruise is not only cost effective, but it could save your life. 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. (Unvaccinated guests will have to undergo special testing onboard to visit Spain or Greece.) Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for those to or from Australia and on transatlantic and transpacific cruises. Spice up your small talk with the latest tech news, products and reviews. Cruise ships will not have to require vaccinations, CDC says but some Children age 12 to 15 must have received two initial doses of the vaccination. Unvaccinated guests are welcome but required to have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, subject to local regulations. Unvaccinated guests are permitted to sail on most MSC voyages. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages. Any information published by Cond Nast Traveler is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. It's also possible that cruise lines could ease up on their pandemic measures in the near future and stop requiring proof of vaccination for passengers. 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. But the CDC still maintained a close watch, publishing a color-coded chart of ship outbreaks that it updated regularly. Check with Cunard for information on your specific sailing. In the specific event that you have a child turning 5 during the voyage, check in with your cruise line before buying a ticket. For Europe and Tahiti, your last COVID-19 shot is now required within the last 270 days. The big question is, what cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests to sail? 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. Specific destinations still require testing such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. Remember: Vaccine exemptions and refunds are not guaranteed. We encourage all guests to file a claim with their travel insurance carrier for reimbursement inquiries. What Cruise Lines Allow Unvaccinated Guests To make sure the experience remains safe only vaccinated adults will. All departures from the U.S. that are nine nights or less dont require any testing, unless they stop in Canada or Bermuda.