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 rules are constantly changing. Traveler Alert: Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip! Also called a bivalent booster, the updated booster became available for people aged 511 on October 12, 2022. 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. Democrats have denounced the new law and accused DeSantis of undermining both public health and the cruise industry. Virgin Voyages is known for being adults-only, which means it's easier to require vaccines. For instance, Princess Cruises maintains a list of Enhanced Guidelines Voyages, and its CruiseHeath look-up tool is available to anyone. The question for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian becomes which changes will lead to the most passengers on their ships? The company shared that information in an email that was sent to people booked on upcoming sailings. Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, : For Freedom, Odyssey, Allure, Symphony and sailing out of Florida ports in July and August we are strongly recommending all guests eligible for vaccines are fully vaccinated. Vaccines, Masks and Testing: What Cruise Lines Require Now (2022) A precruise test is no longer required on the river ships. 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. As well, even if not required, Royal Caribbean asks that you still bring proof of vaccination to your cruise. 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. Still, there are exceptions. AzamaraPassengers no longer need to take pre-travel Covid tests except where required by local restrictions. Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot. Check with the cruise line for protocols on pre-board testing and vaccination. 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. This isnt an easy decision, because its partially about peoples health and partially about keeping your business healthy. As well, Sir Richard Bransons new cruise line Virgin Voyages also dropped its masking policy as of yesterday, February 28. But most major cruise lines dropped mask mandates earlier this year as COVID-19 cases worldwide dropped significantly. Be Safe protocols for Australia sailings on November 17, 2022, reintroducing mandatory mask wearing. These Cruise Lines Will Still Require Face Masks This Summer Passengers can call the cruise line at 954-488-2955 to ask about sailing without having the shot. 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. 2. How long will the vaccine requirement be in place for cruise passengers? In compliance with U.K. guidance, Fred. 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. View Best Prices on MSC, Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line was the first major cruise line to announce the elimination of a COVID-19 vaccine requirement. While cruising restarted in other regions in mid-2021, Australia only reopened for cruises in mid-2022. Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard. Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. Crew Vaccinated? 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. All guests will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to boarding. Details: Holland Americas latest mask policy. As of the fall of 2022, many cruise line have dropped vaccination, testing and masking requirements. The guidance also makes it clear that 90% is what a high proportion of travelers means. Do cruise ships require masks? Face mask policies revealed This isn't an easy decision, because it's partially about people's health and partially about keeping your business healthy. For now, none of the cruise lines that have a vaccine requirement have announced any plans to rescind that rule in the future. Remember that cruise ports such as San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, are actually part of the U.S. Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless they're traveling from or to a destination that requires it. 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. But with the pandemic still ongoing, many cruise lines have implemented safety protocols, including the requirement to wear masks. Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? This article contains links which are ads and if you click on a link and buy a product we will earn revenue. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. 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.. 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. U.S. Coast Guard Will Not Enforce Face Masks at Cruise Terminals 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.. Before your trip, you will need to review your cruise lines health and safety protocols. What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air filters and buffets have been eliminated. "There may, however, be certain venues and events where masks will be required," said the brand. READ NEXT: Bimini Cruise Port: Everything You Need To Know. Others have eliminated both Covid vaccination requirements and testing requirements for some, but not all, passengers based on itineraries or cruise lengths. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. Every other cruise line has a tough decision to make. Read Also: Cruises In April 2022 From Florida. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. Carnival Cruise Line won't require masks on board starting next month, making the company the latest cruise line to ditch mandatory face coverings. Norwegian, which requires guests to bring proof of vaccination, responded to inquiries with a link to its latest press release from early June about its upcoming U.S. voyages. The cruise line said it will accept an antigen, PCR, or Nucleic Acid Amplification Test test. No special request or exemption is need to sail unvaccinated. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! 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. For general information on testing, please refer to our article on cruise testing requirements. Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. We feature properties from a specially selected list of trusted operators who are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. Main photo: a cruise ship docked near Grand Turk Island. All guests and crew will be required to wear a mask onboard. American Queen VoyagesOn this lines river, ocean, Great Lakes and expedition ships, all passengers are required to be vaccinated. 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. Compare and find the best cruise deals. You May Like: Are Greek Island Cruises Worth It. Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. Note: In order to be considered fully vaccinated, passengers must have received their final shot at least 15 days prior to embarkation. As an adults-only cruise line, Virgin required everyone on the ship to be vaccinated. And you may have to be vaccinated or not. 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. From the moment you board the ship, you'll be surrounded by activities, entertainment, and delicious food. CunardAll guests age 16 and up must be vaccinated, including with booster shots. All passengers will undergo a complimentary COVID-19 test during the pre-cruise hotel stay prior to embarkation. The TSA no longer requires face. The three major cruise lines sailing from U.S. ports Royal Caribbean International Get Free Report, Carnival Cruise Lines CCL, and Norwegian Cruise Line NCLH still require pre-cruise covid tests taken no more than two days before your cruise and that all guests ages 12-and-over provide proof of vaccination. For instance, a Panama Canal cruise making a stop in Colombia triggers vaccine requirements for ports later in the itinerary. 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. Just a few weeks prior, the line had opened its ships up to unvaccinated kids under 5. Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccines to Sail? Now, a recent shift has led to cruise lines removing those hurdles as well. Massport, the organization behind Logan Airport and Flynn Cruise Port in Boston, said masks are no longer mandatory in their terminals: " Masks are optional. Other cruise lines have also slowly restarted operations in Australia, including Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International. Cruise lines have begun to get rid of their COVID-19 vaccine requirement that they have mandated over the past 15 months since cruises have restarted. 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. Disney said that changes to the policies are subject to local rules. All passengers will undergo a complimentary COVID-19 test during the pre-cruise hotel stay prior to embarkation. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. Virgin does not allow children on its ships, so it was sailing with 100% vaccination rates. Also Check: What Cruises Leave From Miami, As of August 8, 2022 only children under 12 are welcome as unvaccinated guests on Celebrity cruise lines when leaving the United States. 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. Vaccines, Masks and Testing: What Cruise Lines Require Now (2022) For Celebrity, that means cruises leaving from Los Angeles, the U.K. and Europe but not Ireland. Heres what you need to know. First-time cruisers:3 things to know before stepping foot on the ship, Recommended Reading: Cruise Capital Of The World. For Royal Caribbean, the changes include sailings from Los Angeles, New Orleans, Galveston and Europe. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. Pushaw said the governors executive order is not likely to scare away seagoing travelers. Because this policy only impacts sailings in Australia, only two Carnival ships are currently affected: Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa. Cruise lines have been making changes to their requirements for passengers in order to make cruise ships accessible to virtually everyone. Furthermore, all cruise travelers should be aware that any cruise line has the authority to update protocols in any region, for any sailing, at any time, should it be deemed necessary for public health and safety and the health and safety of those aboard a ship. Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers, no exceptions, need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Also Check: What Is The Best Cruise Out Of Galveston. This is the link: Cruise News Today March 1, 2022 [VIDEO], Bookings Open For Royal Caribbeans 2023-24 Caribbean Cruises, guide to cruise lines mask policies article, 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, https://cruiseradio.net/8-cruise-lines-drop-their-face-mask-requirements/. Its almost unheard of for a vaccinated person to get seriously ill with Covid-19, she said in an email. Some may also require pre-board testing for unvaccinated people. Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard. The revenue generated will help us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism. If you are allowed onboard, you will need to be tested precruise, which is required for unvaccinated children as well. 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. Royal Caribbean Group, which includes Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, will welcome all travelers regardless of vaccination status beginning Sept. 5 as long as testing requirements are met, a spokesperson told USA Today. Go to Boards. : Yes American Queen is even vaccinating its shoreside employees. Crew will be tested regularly while on board. 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. What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air filters and buffets have been eliminated. Yes. 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. 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. 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. Dont Miss: What Cruise Ships Sail Out Of San Francisco. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks are not required. In the fall of 2022, many popular cruise lines dropped the requirement for passengers to be up-to-date on Covid-19 vaccinations. Check your cruise lines website for more details. Norwegian Cruise Line takes Florida to court over vaccine mandate ban, Celebrity Cruise Lines will not require proof of vaccination. Carnival Cruise Line Reintroduces Masks for Some Sailings Travelers can get tested three days before departure for trips six nights or more. Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot. Can I Travel if I've Been Exposed to COVID-19? 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 to Lift Mask Requirement on Board - Travel 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 reintroduced policy is effective immediately, and there is no announced end date for when it may be relaxed. There are a few exceptions. 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. Cruise like a pro with expert tips from our editors. 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. These Cruise Lines Will Still Require Face Masks This Summer - Travel Off Path, Mask mandate: Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean set to drop masks, Cruise Lines Mandating Vaccines: What You Need to Know, Cruise Lines Reopening: What You Need to Know. The cruise line has a limited but growing presence in the U.S., with cruises from Florida and New York. Will I have to wear a face mask on my cruise, and if so, exactly when And, I would say that nobody wearing or not wearing masks were ever made to feel uncomfortable. There are a few exceptions. 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. Unvaccinated passengers will need to test before boarding. 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. Our Crew will remain fully vaccinated as they are now. If you know a bit about which brands belong to which company, youll recognize that these are all cruise lines under the Carnival Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings umbrellas. Cruise lines are gradually easing restrictions and resuming operations, with some already allowing unvaccinated passengers to disembark. The Cruise Lines International Association has 60 members including Carnival and MSC Cruises. I do not want to take a cruise where I am required to wear a mask the entire time I am indoors because that would not be a happy place for me. These Cruise Lines Are Requiring Passengers To Wear Masks Again All The Details. 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. However, before they cruise, those without the shot will need to have a negative test taken within three days of cruising . In you are an unvaccinated adult, some cruise lines will now let you sail, others will not. Again, your cruise company will have the details you need based on your specific itinerary. When Is The Best Time To Cruise To Alaska, Toyota Fj Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Edition For Sale, Which Is The Best River Cruise Company In Europe. Children age 12 to 15 must have received two initial doses of the vaccination. The cruise line has a limited but growing presence in the U.S., with cruises from Florida and New York. Carnival will now allow all passengers including those who are unvaccinated to sail freely as of September 6, 2022.