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. Read Also: How Much Are Cruises Out Of Galveston. 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. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. Since the Australian restart, however, several ships have reported large numbers of COVID-19 cases, including cases among both guests and crew members. Carnival has also removed the mask mandate from its ships. Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. However, your cruise line will have more details about which specific shots they accept. 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. However, as is the case with Cunard, these cruise lines stop . 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. Dont Miss: What Cruise Lines Go To Tahiti. As well, no vaccine will be required if sailing from Europe. 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. CunardAll guests age 16 and up must be vaccinated, including with booster shots. VERIFY: Do cruise passengers have to show proof of vaccination? 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. While most cruise lines require adults to be vaccinated right now, unvaccinated readers want to know when the vaccine mandate may go away. Carnival Cruise Line won't require masks on board starting next month, making the company the latest cruise line to ditch mandatory face coverings. Disney rolled back its COVID vaccine requirement for passengers aged 5 to 11 in early September. Despite Floridas law, Norwegian Cruise Line is also insisting it will require everyone on board its ships to be fully inoculated against Covid-19. 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. As of the fall of 2022, many cruise line have dropped vaccination, testing and masking requirements. Amateur zombie evangelist. 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 lines sailings in Australia. Vaccinated passengers dont need to test unless visiting Canada, Bermuda, Greece or Australia and on trips of 16 nights or longer. The CDC updated its guidelines on July 18 so that vaccination is no longer a requirement instead, its merely recommended. In compliance with U.K. guidance, Fred. Click on your favorite cruise line below to find out. And, some cruise stops may then trigger requirements for ports of call later in the trip. 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. Compare and find the best cruise deals. 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. Vaccines are also required to be administered at least 14 days prior to travel. Prior to the pandemic, the industry directly and indirectly supported nearly 160,000 jobs in Florida. Here, we go over the major cruise lines in the U.S. and tell you which ones are currently requiring face coverings onboard. However, Asia and Oceania, and some countries in Central and South America, still have stricter rules in place. Details: Royal Caribbeans latest mask policy. 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. 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. Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The changes are subject to local restrictions, such as those in Bermuda, Canada and Greece, and dont include voyages in Australia or trips that are 16 or more nights. In most cases, no. Proud musicaholic. Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? 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. 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. To avoid the chance of you missing your next cruise, whether domestic or international, we suggest being fully vaccinated. 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. 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. Some of its current passengers have chosen to sail because every adult onboard has been tested and vaccinated. One of the trickier questions to tackle is do cruises require vaccinations? Unvaccinated Guests: Are not permitted aboard. Pre-boarding tests are not required for vaccinated guests. Most major cruise lines still require passengers to be fully vaccinated, including having the relevant booster jabs. The company shared that information in an email that was sent to people booked on upcoming sailings. Dont Miss: What Time Does The Victory Casino Cruise Sail. 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. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, should expect to be tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding a cruise ship. With the update, Disney will require passengers aged 5 and older who are unvaccinated to provide a negative COVID test taken one to two days prior to embarkment. While most cruise lines require adults to be vaccinated right now, unvaccinated readers want to know when the vaccine mandate may go away. If Cruises Sail With Vaccinated & Unvaccinated Passengers, Is Everything Back to Normal? MORE: 8 Tips For Preparing to Cruise in 2022. No precruise testing is required for vaccinated guests on sailings of five nights or less. 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. Prospective guests of any cruise lines with upcoming sailings in Australia should stay in close contact with their cruise line for health and safety protocol updates and requirements. Travelers can get tested three days before departure for trips six nights or more. Princess Cruises will remove vaccination requirements on Sept. 6 for most voyages that are less than 16 days. Our Crew will remain fully vaccinated as they are now. Remember that cruise ports such as San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, are actually part of the U.S. What is the Average Cost of a 7-Day Cruise? 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. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends updating people on their COVID-19 vaccines before going on a cruise. Still, there are exceptions. All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. 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. Other sources include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travelers Health site that maintains up-to-date information on current health situations around the world, general healthy travel tips and help in finding a travel health clinic. Those indoor spaces include all lounges, corridors, elevators, theaters, casinos, and other spaces, unless guests are eating or drinking. This article was originally published in February 2022. 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. On sailings that visit Greece, they are required on the ship when indoors. Aug. 14, 2022 Four major cruise lines are dropping their COVID-19 vaccination requirements for some sailings next month, according to USA Today. 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. 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. 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. Check with your specific cruise line for the latest information, keeping in mind that the rules can and do shift. 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. Read Also: Cruises In April 2022 From Florida. For all sailings 6 nights or longer, vaccinated guests must present a digital or physical copy of a supervised and negative COVID-19 test result from a test taken within 3 days prior to sailing. This new polic went into effect yesterday, September 3, 2022. 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. 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. Now that policy has changed to 90% of passengers, allowing 10% of those onboard to sail unvaccinated with an exemption. Dont Miss: What Cruise Ships Sail Out Of San Francisco. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, said Royal Caribbeans news release. Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard except in the medical center. 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.. A. Many other cruise line operators and brands made similar protocol changes, including Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. Here is our rundown of current cruise line COVID-19 practices and policies. For all country specific travel requirements, travelers should visit www.ncl.com/travel-requirements-by-country. Can I still have sex during the coronavirus pandemic? All guests will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to boarding. MSC also requires unvaccinated children between 2 and 5 to wear a mask when indoors. Children who are aged 4 or younger do not need vaccination proof or a COVID test. Every other cruise line has a tough decision to make. The Disney Magic cruise ship will make the change on Nov. 7. 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. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. Will Lines Still Require a Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Test Before a Cruise? Enjoy your cruise. Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return. 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.. The question for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian becomes which changes will lead to the most passengers on their ships? For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line began waiving vaccination and testing requirements in October. The policy now reads, out of an abundance of caution, for the time being, masks are required in public indoor spaces.. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. Our Crew will remain fully vaccinated as they are now. Heres what the CDC currently recommends when it comes to vaccines. On Alaska voyages between Whittier and Vancouver, they are required on the ship when indoors. While some cruise lines have relaxed their mask policies, others may still require them. 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. Currently, more than 120 countries have dropped all restrictions, including many popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean and Europe. As an adults-only cruise line, Virgin required everyone on the ship to be vaccinated. Around the same time, Celebrity Cruises went the opposite direction, lowering the age at which passengers must be vaccinated to sail on its ships. The Splendor-class Carnival Splendor, with a guest capacity of 3,012, is offering both short and long cruises from Sydney, including ports of call such as Tasmania, New Zealand, and Queensland, as well as short getaways to nowhere. Some cruise lines encourage vaccination even though they dont require it. Cruises from Australia or those 16 nights or longer do still require a passenger be vaccinated to sail. But most major cruise lines dropped mask mandates earlier this year as COVID-19 cases worldwide dropped significantly. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. Booster jabs are required where eligible and are considered effective immediately. Vaccine and pretrip testing requirements can be confusing, especially if you are cruising internationally. MSC currently offers cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas from Florida. According to the Australian governments Department of Health and Aged Care, the country is experiencing a slight uptick in overall cases compared to previous months, with more than 54,000 new cases reported in the past week. If Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian allow for unvaccinated adults but keep the 90% vaccinated number that could limit how many families can book cruises on those lines, which are marketed as family cruise lines. American Queen VoyagesOn this lines river, ocean, Great Lakes and expedition ships, all passengers are required to be vaccinated. Bahamas and Caribbean cruises that leave from Florida ports still have vaccine rules in place. We expect approximately 90 percent of our guests will be vaccinated. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. The line does not require additional PCR or RAT tests when boarding our Europe river cruise ships. 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. 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. All passengers will undergo a complimentary COVID-19 test during the pre-cruise hotel stay prior to embarkation. 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. Testing is not required of vaccinated guests. We feature properties from a specially selected list of trusted operators who are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. Masks continue to be required for unvaccinated guests in indoor public areas. You can view Virgin Voyages latest policies here. This simplifies the requirements to sail. View Best Prices on Celebrity, Read Also: Last Minute Cruise Deals Tampa. Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard. For Celebrity, that means cruises leaving from Los Angeles, the U.K. and Europe but not Ireland. "Effective with sailings departing March 1 . 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. 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. As the health situation evolves, cruise lines are always adjusting their health and safety policies including whether guests need to wear masks onboard. That means having both doses of a two-dose shot 14 days before embarking on the ship. And, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to evolve, vaccination requirements shift as well. For general information on testing, please refer to our article on cruise testing requirements. Passengers are encouraged to wear them . Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. Carnival will now allow all passengers including those who are unvaccinated to sail freely as of September 6, 2022. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. The CDC updated its guidelines on July 18 so that vaccination is no longer a requirement instead, its merely recommended. Do I need a vaccine to cruise? 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. 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. Disney Cruise Lines joins Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Holland America Line, which no longer require vaccinations on most sailings. Some people waited to cruise until masks were no longer required while others wont step onboard until every covid-related protocol goes away. 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.. Dont Miss: Do Any Cruise Lines Allow Dogs. MORE: 8. The chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high because the virus spreads easily between people in close quarters aboard ships. Policy: Masks are not required onboard, except for in a few select indoor locations.
Comments are closed.