In addition to the protection COVID-19 vaccines provide to individual travelers in preventing severe illness or death from COVID-19, having a high proportion of travelers on board who are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines reduces the likelihood that cruise ships medical centers are overwhelmed by cases of COVID-19.. Now that policy has changed to 90% of passengers, allowing 10% of those onboard to sail unvaccinated with an exemption. Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. Starting Sept. 6, Princess Cruises will require passengers on sailings of 16 nights or longer to take a test within three days of leaving, as well as those on full Panama Canal transits. However, Asia and Oceania, and some countries in Central and South America, still have stricter rules in place. And, I would say that nobody wearing or not wearing masks were ever made to feel uncomfortable. Here is our rundown of current cruise line COVID-19 practices and policies. As an adults-only cruise line, Virgin required everyone on the ship to be vaccinated. Unvaccinated Guests: Are not permitted aboard. Will I have to wear a face mask on my cruise, and if so, exactly when Children who are not old enough to be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine must present a negative antigen or PCR test result taken within 72 hours of embarkation. 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. Aida Cruises, Ama Waterways, American Queen Steamboat Company, Azamara, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Viking are all open or planning to open soon. Prior to the pandemic, the industry directly and indirectly supported nearly 160,000 jobs in Florida. 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. For those who are unvaccinated, pre-embarkation testing is required. Which Cruise Lines Require Passengers to Wear Masks? - Cruise Critic Which Cruise Lines Require Masks? - Cruise Radio You May Like: 7 Day Alaska Cruises From Seattle. 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. Carnival Cruise Line will no longer require pre-cruise testing for vaccinated guests on voyages that are five nights or fewer beginning Aug. 4, the cruise line said Friday. 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. Recommended Reading: When Can You Book Excursions On Disney Cruise. Will Lines Still Require a Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Test Before a Cruise? Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. No. In fact, apart from vaccines and testing, the onboard experience has returned to exactly what it was before the pandemic. However, as is the case with Cunard, these cruise lines stop . On Royal Caribbean, theyre also required for all kids two and older (regardless of vaccination status) in the Adventure Ocean kids program. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. And, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to evolve, vaccination requirements shift as well. 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. Cruise lines make it clear that passengers must be fully vaccinated. Carnival Cruise Line only restarted Australia guest operations in the past several weeks, first with Carnival Splendor setting sail on October 1, followed by Carnival Luminosas first sailing on November 6. Passengers can call the cruise line at 954-488-2955 to ask about sailing without having the shot. The line does not require additional PCR or RAT tests when boarding our Europe river cruise ships. The chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high because the virus spreads easily between people in close quarters aboard ships. Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. A number of cruise lines have reviewed their policies following the change. Heres a quick breakdown of vaccination and testing policies as of December 2022 at several major cruise lines: These cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests but still have some form of testing requirement in place for those who elected to pass on the vaccine. The Cruise Lines International Association has 60 members including Carnival and MSC Cruises. Cruise Lines That No Longer Require Masks Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip! Guests must also wear masks during the entire embarkation and debarkation processes. Also, fully vaccinated passengers now no longer need to provide a negative COVID-19 test prior to setting sail on many voyages. Pre-boarding tests are not required for vaccinated guests. The reintroduced policy is effective immediately, and there is no announced end date for when it may be relaxed. When is the Best Time to Book a Cruise and Get the Best Deals? Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. For passengers who are 5 and older and fully vaccinated, a COVID test is not required, but proof of vaccination is needed. Unvaccinated guests are required to be tested. 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. Which Cruise Lines Require That Kids Be Vaccinated? The cruise industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is some good news on the horizon. This article was originally published in February 2022. You May Like: Where To Find The Best Cruise Deals. Carnival Cruise Line Reintroduces Masks for Some Sailings For Royal Caribbean, the changes include sailings from Los Angeles, New Orleans, Galveston and Europe. The cruise line has a limited but growing presence in the U.S., with cruises from Florida and New York. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. As always, your safety is our first priority, so we will continue with our other protocols to keep you well while enjoying your relaxing vacation, the cruise line shared in the email. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs new cruise newsletter. 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. Princess Cruises will remove vaccination requirements on Sept. 6 for most voyages that are less than 16 days. Major global cruise lines no longer require passengers to wear masks.2 days ago. Amateur web practitioner. All guests on all sailings through the end of 2022 with Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection are required to be fully vaccinated. Children who are aged 4 or younger do not need vaccination proof or a COVID test. If Cruises Sail With Vaccinated & Unvaccinated Passengers, Is Everything Back to Normal? Celebrity Cruises MSC also requires unvaccinated children between 2 and 5 to wear a mask when indoors. Unvaccinated passengers will need to test before boarding. A single shot of the Johnson & Johnson dose is ok, but still requires receiving it well in advance of sailing. Recommended Reading: What Is Included In Crystal Cruises. Policy: Masks are not required onboard, except for in a few select indoor locations. 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. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. For now, none of the cruise lines that have a vaccine requirement have announced any plans to rescind that rule in the future. Thats because the short answer is, it depends! Disney Cruise Line, which recently welcomed . 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 . A. That creates a peace of mind you dont get on other types of vacations. 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. Currently, booster shots are not required for any passengers. 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. Guests who choose not to be vaccinated or not willing to verify vaccination will be subject to testing and additional health protocols which will be at their expense. Otherwise all guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before departure. Every other cruise line has a tough decision to make. Also called a bivalent booster, the updated booster became available for people aged 511 on October 12, 2022. Dont Miss: What Time Does The Victory Casino Cruise Sail. 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 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. Massport, the organization behind Logan Airport and Flynn Cruise Port in Boston, said masks are no longer mandatory in their terminals: " Masks are optional. CDC recommends all eligible travelers be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? You can also work with a local travel medicine clinic to determine what vaccinations or preventative measures are recommended based on your itinerary. How long will the vaccine requirement be in place for cruise passengers? 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. Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless they're traveling from or to a destination that requires it. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy. It was most recently updated and republished on June 17, 2022. Virgin does not allow children on its ships, so it was sailing with 100% vaccination rates. DeSantis To Appeal Preliminary Injunction Allowing Norwegian Cruises To Require Vaccines. Vaccines are also required to be administered at least 14 days prior to travel. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. 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. Those requirements would not be necessary on the same cruise without a stop in Colombia. The good news is that given the vaccines, a milder variant, and prior cases, the amount of serious illness seems lower. 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. These 3 Cruise Lines Don't Require Vaccination Against COVID-19 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 with any rapidly changing scenario like this one, laws, and regulations change at a rapid pace, and this often affects your cruise vaccination requirements as well. And the good news for many people? All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. Check your cruise lines website for more details. Carnival has also removed the mask mandate from its ships. Have no fear, we provide all the relevant links and information you need for all of the major cruise lines below. CunardAll guests age 16 and up must be vaccinated, including with booster shots. 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. Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? 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. Cruise like a pro with expert tips from our editors. Traveler Alert: Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip! Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard. If you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider about the risks of traveling. 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. Most major cruise lines still require passengers to be fully vaccinated, including having the relevant booster jabs. Again, your cruise company will have the details you need based on your specific itinerary. 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. Dont Miss: What Cruise Ships Sail Out Of San Francisco. Cruising is slowly returning to the seas, and many cruise lines are now open or planning to reopen soon. As of December 2022, if it has been at least 2 months since their last dose, children as young as 6 months who completed the Moderna primary series can receive one updated bivalent booster dose. 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. Around the same time, Celebrity Cruises went the opposite direction, lowering the age at which passengers must be vaccinated to sail on its ships. There are a few exceptions. Vaccinated passengers dont need to test unless visiting Canada, Bermuda, Greece or Australia and on trips of 16 nights or longer. This isn't an easy decision, because it's partially about people's health and partially about keeping your business healthy. MSC Cruises As of September 1, 2022, MSC Cruises no longer requires U.S. citizens to be vaccinated. Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines - Travel + Leisure : Yes American Queen is even vaccinating its shoreside employees. Where Are Norwegian Cruise Ships Registered, Where Do Cruise Ships Dock In Reykjavik Iceland, How Much Are Drinks On Viking River Cruises, Which Side Of The Ship Is Better For Alaska Cruise, How To Get Off Viking Cruises Mailing List, Highlighting the panic, failures of the COVID early days, ended its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, ropped the pre-cruise testing requirement, Which Cruise Line Gives The Best Military Discount, What Time Does The Victory Casino Cruise Sail, which requires guests to bring proof of vaccination, www.ncl.com/travel-requirements-by-country, www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/cruise-travel-documents, some itineraries will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel, Last Minute Cruise Deals For Florida Residents, Toyota Fj Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Edition For Sale, Do Mississippi River Cruises Have Casinos. Cruising is a popular way to explore the world, and many travelers are eager to get back on the open seas. Heres what you need to know. For Australians, anyone currently looking to sail internationally will need to be fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated passengers do not have to test prior to sailing. 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. What cruise line does not require masks? - AnswerParadise.net This simplifies the requirements to sail. Award-winning beer ninja. Carnival Cruise Line won't require masks on board starting next month, making the company the latest cruise line to ditch mandatory face coverings. Many other cruise line operators and brands made similar protocol changes, including Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. There is no definitive answer as to when a vaccine requirement to go on a cruise ship may go away, but at the very least it stands to reason not until the public health emergency ends. Health and safety are always our first priority in fact, we were the health and safety leaders from the very start of the pandemic. Since the Australian restart, however, several ships have reported large numbers of COVID-19 cases, including cases among both guests and crew members. 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. Amateur zombie evangelist. As well, Sir Richard Bransons new cruise line Virgin Voyages also dropped its masking policy as of yesterday, February 28. There is no definitive answer as to when a vaccine requirement to go on a cruise ship may go away, but at the very least it stands to reason not until the public health emergency ends. 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. These Cruise Lines Are Requiring Passengers To Wear Masks Again All 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. Disney Cruise Lines joins Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Holland America Line, which no longer require vaccinations on most sailings. Details: Royal Caribbeans latest mask policy. 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. Every other cruise line has a tough decision to make. Keep in mind that each cruise line determines its own health and wellness protocols. Guests can also visit www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/cruise-travel-documents for more information about the required travel documentation they will need for their NCL voyage. Virgin does not allow children on its ships, so it was sailing with 100% vaccination rates. You can view Carnivals latest policies here. 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.. Typical bacon geek. A number of cruise lines have reviewed their policies following the change. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! The following cruise lines have dropped all restrictions, including vaccine, testing, and mask rules, with exceptions only for itineraries that visit countries with restrictions still in place. The question for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian becomes which changes will lead to the most passengers on their ships? 8 Cruise Lines Drop Their Face Mask Requirements - Cruise Radio Carnival Cruise Line. 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. The new-to-the-fleet Spirit-class Carnival Luminosa can welcome 2,260 guests, and is offering a range of South Pacific, New Zealand, and Great Barrier Reef itineraries from Brisbane. Some may also require pre-board testing for unvaccinated people. Is an Alaska Cruise Worth the Investment? Note: Some destinations still require it and cruises that visit these countries will still have the COVID-19 vaccination requirement due to local laws. Testing is not required of vaccinated guests. Also, most longer cruises will still require a vaccination. It's important to note that while some cruise lines have relaxed their mask policies, they still require travelers to follow other safety protocols. The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q& As happening daily! A precruise test is no longer required on the river ships. Which Cruise Line Does Not Require Vaccine - CruiseInfoClub.com Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Cruise Line. 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. Virgin Voyages is known for being adults-only, which means it's easier to require vaccines. Not sure where to go? You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. 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 . Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Hi, this may be of interest to you: 8 Cruise Lines Drop Their Face Mask Requirements. Masks on NCL? - Norwegian Cruise Line - Cruise Critic Community It must be noted, however, that there have been no reports of cases reported from cruise ships having severe symptoms or requiring hospitalization, with most individuals who return positive test results reporting no symptoms or only mild discomfort.