The good news is that given the vaccines, a milder variant, and prior cases, the amount of serious illness seems lower. 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. Keep in mind that even though face masks are no longer required for ships from the above cruise lines, they still may be required in specific venues such as the theater or kids clubs. 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. 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. 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. You May Like: Where To Find The Best Cruise Deals. 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. Testing is not required of vaccinated guests. The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q& As happening daily! Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless they're traveling from or to a destination that requires it. Cruising in the Time of COVID: Are Cruise Lines Still Sailing? Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week. Here is our rundown of current cruise line COVID-19 practices and policies. A precruise test is no longer required on the river ships. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. Additionally, it's important to check the latest travel advisories and restrictions for your destination before booking a cruise. First-time cruisers:3 things to know before stepping foot on the ship, Recommended Reading: Cruise Capital Of The World. Crew Vaccinated? Cruise lines have their own rules countries have their own rules. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks may be required in public areas on the ship . 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. However, before they cruise, those without the shot will need to have a negative test taken within three days of cruising . Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return.. Currently, more than 120 countries have dropped all restrictions, including many popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean and Europe. Thats because the short answer is, it depends! Bimini Cruise Port: Everything You Need To Know, 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. 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. 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. Most major cruise lines still require passengers to be fully vaccinated, including having the relevant booster jabs. While the pandemic has made most of us equate vaccine with Covid-19, depending on where you travel, protecting your health by getting or boosting vaccinations for things hepatitis, yellow fever and other diseases may be required or recommended. Carnival Cruise Line. VERIFY: Do cruise passengers have to show proof of vaccination? Unvaccinated guests are required to be tested. Still, there are exceptions. Disney Cruise Line joins the majority of cruise operators that have done away with COVID-19 vaccination requirements on some ships. Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return. "Effective with sailings departing March 1 . If you want to ensure you have a worry-free voyage, we strongly suggest reading these cruise health policies carefully. 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. Fried, a Democrat, is running to unseat DeSantis in next years election. Again, your cruise company will have the details you need based on your specific itinerary. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. This isnt an easy decision, because its partially about peoples health and partially about keeping your business healthy. 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. For instance, a Panama Canal cruise making a stop in Colombia triggers vaccine requirements for ports later in the itinerary. However, before they cruise, those without the shot will need to have a negative test taken within three days of cruising . Now that policy has changed to 90% of passengers, allowing 10% of those onboard to sail unvaccinated with an exemption. 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. Younger passengers are not subject to any vaccination requirements or testing protocols. Many other cruise line operators and brands made similar protocol changes, including Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. In you are an unvaccinated adult, some cruise lines will now let you sail, others will not. Bottom line: If youve been vaccinated against COVID-19 outside of the US, check with your cruise line to make sure they accept your vaccine before putting any money down. Do I need a vaccine to cruise? Testing and vaccination requirements will differ for guests traveling on voyages departing from destinations with specific local health regulations, including the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, and Greece. Check with your specific cruise line for the latest information, keeping in mind that the rules can and do shift. If youre flying to Caribbean islands like Barbados or the Bahamas, or Canadian homeports, such as Vancouver and Montreal, you will need to carry a passport. Unvaccinated cruises passengers must wear masks, while vaccinated passengers dont. MSC currently offers cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas from Florida. With the easing of the Cruise Lines health and safety protocols, NCL will continue to follow the travel guidelines as required by the destinations it visits. Check your cruise lines website for more details. Which Cruise Lines Require That Kids Be Vaccinated? All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. As Australia sees a rise in COVID-19 cases, policies are changing once again to try and prevent the spread of . Cruise lines have continued to modify their vaccination and testing policies surrounding COVID-19. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! 8 Cruise Lines Drop Their Face Mask Requirements - Cruise Radio "There may, however, be certain venues and events where masks will be required," said the brand. On Royal Caribbean, theyre also required for all kids two and older (regardless of vaccination status) in the Adventure Ocean kids program. Cruise Lines That No Longer Require Masks This article contains links which are ads and if you click on a link and buy a product we will earn revenue. Carnival no longer requires masks on its ships. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Cruise Lines Without Vaccine Requirements - CruiseInfoClub.com 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. The Future Of Cruising Will Require Masks, Testing, and More, According Until recently, Virgin Voyages had a simple policy. Fully vaccinated passengers do not have to test prior to sailing. When is the Best Time to Book a Cruise and Get the Best Deals? 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. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks may be required in public areas on the ship . 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. To be considered vaccinated guests must have been vaccinated at least two weeks prior to boarding. The question for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian becomes which changes will lead to the most passengers on their ships? 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.. Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Disney rolled back its COVID vaccine requirement for passengers aged 5 to 11 in early September. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, said Royal Caribbeans news release. Check out our recap of youth immunization policies for details on cruise vaccination requirements for kids. 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. Starting in late February, Virgin Voyages adjusted its policies from requiring masks when indoors to going completely mask-free. A number of cruise lines have reviewed their policies following the change. 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. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ended its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships on July 18, after which many cruise lines that had opted in eased their protocols. Its almost unheard of for a vaccinated person to get seriously ill with Covid-19, she said in an email. Carnival, for example, says itll accept some vaccine exemptions from those ages 12 and younger, as well as adults who have that they cant be vaccinated but only at their Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina and Alabama ports until the end of March 2022. 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.. The change comes as major cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Holland America Line, have dropped vaccine requirements for many sailings in recent weeks. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. Details: Holland Americas latest mask policy. Masks are also now required in outdoors for any large crowded events where guests cannot appropriately distance, such as during deck parties, as well as while on shore tour buses or tenders, or while indoors on any shore excursion. 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. 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. Olsen Cruise Lines. Cruises from Florida and other ports of departure will still require the shot for those 12 and older in order to sail for the time being. Carnival Cruise Line Reintroduces Masks for Some Sailings Its 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 isnt authorized yet in the US. Around the same time, Celebrity Cruises went the opposite direction, lowering the age at which passengers must be vaccinated to sail on its ships. Editors note: This post has been updated with new information. Proud musicaholic. 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. On Alaska voyages between Whittier and Vancouver, they are required on the ship when indoors. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs new cruise newsletter. These Cruise Lines Are Requiring Passengers To Wear Masks Again All 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. Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccines to Sail? This simplifies the requirements to sail. As of the fall of 2022, many cruise line have dropped vaccination, testing and masking requirements. The governor is dictatorially imposing his will on Florida businesses trying to protect their customers, including cruise lines on whom our agriculture industry depends for millions in food sales, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a statement to NBC News. Virgin does not allow children on its ships, so it was sailing with 100% vaccination rates. You May Like: 7 Day Alaska Cruises From Seattle. For more information about the Companys award-winning 18-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please call +1-888-NCL-CRUISE , contact a travel professional or visit www.ncl.com. Costa Cruises will also allow unvaccinated travelers to board sailings 14 nights or shorter in the Caribbean and Mediterranean beginning Oct. 8. 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. But with the pandemic still ongoing, many cruise lines have implemented safety protocols, including the requirement to wear masks. View Best Prices on Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line For cruises that depart on or after September 6, 2022, Carnival Cruise Line will allow all guests to once again sail on their Fun Ships. There are exceptions, however, such as dining venues, where guests can eat and drink without face . Because the policy reads for the time being it is likely a temporary measure and will be redacted when possible. Enjoy your cruise. Therefore, people who are vaccinated should not be worried about getting infected from those who arent. MIAMI, Oct. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ 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. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line began waiving vaccination and testing requirements in October. MSC also requires unvaccinated children between 2 and 5 to wear a mask when indoors. Testing is still required for some cruises. Children age 12 to 15 must have received two initial doses of the vaccination. 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. These links are signposted with an asterisk. But most major cruise lines dropped mask mandates earlier this year as COVID-19 cases worldwide dropped significantly. Health and safety are always our first priority in fact, we were the health and safety leaders from the very start of the pandemic. On sailings that visit Greece, they are required on the ship when indoors. - All other cruises still require proof of initial vaccination and a booster until further notice. Antibody tests are not accepted. Carnival Splendor setting sail on October 1, Carnival Luminosas first sailing on November 6, approximately 100 cases were reported onboard, Worlds Largest Cruise Ship Oversold for Spring Break, Carnival Cruise Ship Will Offer Transatlantic Voyage After Dry Dock, Photos Reveal Progress at Carnival Cruise Lines New Port. Some of its current passengers have chosen to sail because every adult onboard has been tested and vaccinated. 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. Crew will be tested regularly while on board. Keep in mind that each cruise line determines its own health and wellness protocols. Amateur zombie evangelist. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks are not required. Check your airlines protocols around testing, mask-wearing, vaccination, or quarantining if youre flying before or after the cruise. 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. 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. 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. 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. Also Check: Best Hotels Near Miami Cruise Port Virgin Voyages Vaccine Policy However, Asia and Oceania, and some countries in Central and South America, still have stricter rules in place. That means having both doses of a two-dose shot 14 days before embarking on the ship. 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. You can view Carnivals latest policies here. 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 . 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. Bahamas and Caribbean cruises that leave from Florida ports still have vaccine rules in place. Here is a current list of cruise line that have, or will eliminate the vaccine requirement to sail on one of their cruise ships. 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. Masks will now be required in all indoor public spaces or in any crowded venue, indoors or outdoors, regardless of vaccination status. Monitor yourself for symptoms after the trip, and isolate yourself if you have a positive test or develop symptoms. All passengers will undergo a complimentary COVID-19 test during the pre-cruise hotel stay prior to embarkation. In fact, apart from vaccines and testing, the onboard experience has returned to exactly what it was before the pandemic. Carnival Cruise Line to Lift Mask Requirement on Board - Travel We feature properties from a specially selected list of trusted operators who are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. Some people waited to cruise until masks were no longer required while others wont step onboard until every covid-related protocol goes away. Most major cruise lines still require passengers to be fully vaccinated, including having the relevant booster jabs. These Cruise Lines Will Still Require Face Masks This Summer For example, approximately 100 cases were reported onboard Coral Princess in early July during one of the first restart cruises, while more recently, local news services have reported more than 800 cases aboard Majestic Princess. No. For domestic sailings, this will be entirely dependent on your chosen cruise line and their cruise vaccination requirements and the current laws of the state or territories you plan on travelling from/to. Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard. In other words, this is not something you want to put off until the last minute. Celebrity Cruises Despite Floridas law, Norwegian Cruise Line is also insisting it will require everyone on board its ships to be fully inoculated against Covid-19. Click on your favorite cruise line below to find out. Dont Miss: What Time Does The Victory Casino Cruise Sail. Most lines only accept vaccines recognized and approved by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. That means receiving a final primary dose and an updated booster shot, which became available for people older than 12 on September 2, 2022. That includes things like visiting restaurants or movie theaters, going to a sporting event, and of course, travel. These Cruise Lines Are Requiring Passengers To Wear Masks Again All The Details. The CDC updated its guidelines on July 18 so that vaccination is no longer a requirement instead, its merely recommended. Carnival Cruise LineOnly passengers on sailings to Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia, plus cruises of 16 nights or more, need to be fully vaccinated. You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. Do I need to wear a mask on my cruise? A line-by-line guide - MSN Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard except in the medical center. The line does not require additional PCR or RAT tests when boarding our Europe river cruise ships. COVID-19 Protocols, Listed by Cruise Line | TravelAge West 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. No special request or exemption is need to sail unvaccinated. In fact, the cruise line requires all passengers to have the shot to sail. However, from December 1, Azamara will no longer require proof of vaccination for sailings starting and ending in the US or sailings starting and ending in Europe. Have no fear, we provide all the relevant links and information you need for all of the major cruise lines below. Virgin does not allow children on its ships, so it was sailing with 100% vaccination rates. And, I would say that nobody wearing or not wearing masks were ever made to feel uncomfortable. Now, a recent shift has led to cruise lines removing those hurdles as well. This new polic went into effect yesterday, September 3, 2022. The restrictions requiring vaccines are dropping quickly. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Our Crew will remain fully vaccinated as they are now. Is an Alaska Cruise Worth the Investment?