Booster shots might also be required for entry into the specific country of embarkation as well as the destinations along the itinerary. The guidance also makes it clear that 90% is what a high proportion of travelers means. UPDATED: October 3, 2022 Margaritaville at Sea Margaritaville at Sea Paradise welcomes all guests onboard regardless of vaccination status. On Alaska voyages between Whittier and Vancouver, they are required on the ship when indoors. There are exceptions, however, such as dining venues, where guests can eat and drink without face . Disney Cruise Lines joins Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Holland America Line, which no longer require vaccinations on most sailings. The restrictions requiring vaccines are dropping quickly. Also, most longer cruises will still require a vaccination. Hell of a Cruise:Highlighting the panic, failures of the COVID early days. Most major cruise lines still require passengers to be fully vaccinated, including having the relevant booster jabs. However, some cruise lines have recently revoked the obligation to wear masks on certain ships this summer. Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. The cruise line said it will accept an antigen, PCR, or Nucleic Acid Amplification Test test. 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. 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. "There may, however, be certain venues and events where masks will be required," said the brand. 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. In other words, this is not something you want to put off until the last minute. 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. 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Massport, the organization behind Logan Airport and Flynn Cruise Port in Boston, said masks are no longer mandatory in their terminals: " Masks are optional. For now, none of the cruise lines that have a vaccine requirement have announced any plans to rescind that rule in the future. Guests who have certain pre-existing medical conditions . Connect with other cruisers before and after you set sail. Every other cruise line has a tough decision to make. That creates a peace of mind you dont get on other types of vacations. Vaccinated travelers will not need to test before embarkation. Check with the cruise line for protocols on pre-board testing and vaccination. On sailings departing Singapore, masks are mandatory on the ship when indoors. Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? - 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. Booked guests can get up-to-date information using the Cruise Personalizer tool. Prior to the pandemic, the industry directly and indirectly supported nearly 160,000 jobs in Florida. On sailings that visit Greece, they are required on the ship when indoors. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks may be required in public areas on the ship . Around the same time, Celebrity Cruises went the opposite direction, lowering the age at which passengers must be vaccinated to sail on its ships. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. A single shot of the Johnson & Johnson dose is ok, but still requires receiving it well in advance of sailing. 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. Unvaccinated guests are required to be tested. Here's the current list of cruise lines that do not require Covid vaccines to sail, for travelers who cannot or choose not to get the shot. 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. On voyages that visit Greece or Italy, they are required on. 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. - As of July 25, 2022, the line no longer requires pre-cruise testing unless . Monitor yourself for symptoms after the trip, and isolate yourself if you have a positive test or develop symptoms. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. Heres what the CDC currently recommends when it comes to vaccines. In fact, the cruise line requires all passengers to have the shot to sail. Pushaw said the governors executive order is not likely to scare away seagoing travelers. It must be noted that at this time, this policy only impacts Carnival cruises in Australia, and masks are not required on any Carnival ships in other regions. In the fall of 2022, many popular cruise lines dropped the requirement for passengers to be up-to-date on Covid-19 vaccinations. Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Cruise Line. The cruise industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is some good news on the horizon. 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. 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. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. 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. Carnival will now allow all passengers including those who are unvaccinated to sail freely as of September 6, 2022. You May Like: How Big Are The Disney Cruise Ships. Have no fear, we provide all the relevant links and information you need for all of the major cruise lines below. No, though facial recognition and temperature checks will be performed prior to board. MORE: 8. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. Olsen Cruise Lines. As well, even if not required, Royal Caribbean asks that you still bring proof of vaccination to your cruise. There are a few exceptions. Those indoor spaces include all lounges, corridors, elevators, theaters, casinos, and other spaces, unless guests are eating or drinking. 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. 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. Other cruise lines have also slowly restarted operations in Australia, including Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International. All guests will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to boarding. You May Like: Are Greek Island Cruises Worth It. 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. Every other cruise line has a tough decision to make. Health and safety are always our first priority in fact, we were the health and safety leaders from the very start of the pandemic. MSC also requires unvaccinated children between 2 and 5 to wear a mask when indoors. 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. 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. 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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. All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. Norwegian Cruise Line takes Florida to court over vaccine mandate ban, Celebrity Cruise Lines will not require proof of vaccination. Oceania CruisesFully vaccinated passengers aged 12 and older dont need a test to embark. Cruise vacations are a great way to explore the world and have a fun and relaxing time. This simplifies the requirements to sail. The three major cruise lines sailing from U.S. ports Royal Caribbean International , 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. 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. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. 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. Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return.. As the health situation evolves, cruise lines are always adjusting their health and safety policies including whether guests need to wear masks onboard. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Fully vaccinated passengers do not have to test prior to sailing. Crew Vaccinated? As the United States has opened up again following the worst of the pandemic, many people have returned to a normal way of life. Our Crew will remain fully vaccinated as they are now. Effective April 15, all guests five and older must be vaccinated to sail on Celebrity from the United States. 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. Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless theyre traveling from or to a destination that requires it. The revenue generated will help us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism. Currently, booster shots are not required for any passengers. Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken within three days prior to embarkation. The Disney Magic cruise ship will make the change on Nov. 7. When asked how Carnival intends to handle Floridas new law, a spokesperson did not comment on the decision to break from the law and instead referred NBC News to its frequently-asked-questions page, which states that guests will be asked to confirm their status as fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and provide proof of vaccination in advance of boarding, unless a vaccination exemption is given in advance. For passengers who are 5 and older and fully vaccinated, a COVID test is not required, but proof of vaccination is needed. For those who are unvaccinated, pre-embarkation testing is required. Details: Royal Caribbeans latest mask policy. Celebrity Cruises As the major cruise lines prepare to relaunch from U.S. ports this summer, they have not yet been as frank with unvaccinated passengers as they need to be about how their cruise experience will stack up next to that of their vaccinated cruise mates. 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. The cruise line has a limited but growing presence in the U.S., with cruises from Florida and New York. Some people waited to cruise until masks were no longer required while others wont step onboard until every covid-related protocol goes away. Australia has been one of the more strict regions of the world with respect to pandemic cruise travel restrictions. Our Crew will remain fully vaccinated as they are now. Some of its current passengers have chosen to sail because every adult onboard has been tested and vaccinated. 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.. Virgin does not allow children on its ships, so it was sailing with 100% vaccination rates. Costa Cruises, Azamara, and Silversea Cruises have also dropped their vaccination policies with some exceptions. Carnival Cruise Line updated its Have Fun. Also, fully vaccinated passengers now no longer need to provide a negative COVID-19 test prior to setting sail on many voyages. Also Check: 7 Night Western Mediterranean Cruise. Costa Cruises will also allow unvaccinated travelers to board sailings 14 nights or shorter in the Caribbean and Mediterranean beginning Oct. 8. Recommended Reading: What Is Included In Crystal Cruises. 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. No. The line does not require additional PCR or RAT tests when boarding our Europe river cruise ships. 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. No special request or exemption is need to sail unvaccinated. Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? No precruise testing is required for vaccinated guests on sailings of five nights or less. The agency currently recommends cruise passengers be up to date with their vaccinations including their most recent recommended booster dose and take a test a maximum of three days before embarkation no matter their vaccination status, according to its website. Will masks be required on cruise ships in 2022? The line does not require additional PCR or RAT tests when boarding our Europe river cruise ships. 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. Cruises from Australia or those 16 nights or longer do still require a passenger be vaccinated to sail. But now, little more than a year later, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has withdrawn its opt-in guidance for cruise lines, and many are now allowing more unvaccinated passengers to sail. 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. Also called a bivalent booster, the updated booster became available for people aged 511 on October 12, 2022. These included recommendations that ships continue to require pre-cruise testing and for passengers to be vaccinated. The line also warns that masks could be required by some ports of call its ships visit. Olsen passengers are required to wear a mask onboard when not in their staterooms, eating or drinking, or seated in a deck . Remember that cruise ports such as San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, are actually part of the U.S. Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may designate areas as only accessible to fully vaccinated passengers and crew where masks and physical distancing are not required (e.g., casinos . 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. What is the Average Cost of a 7-Day Cruise? Otherwise all guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before departure. Virgin Voyages is known for being adults-only, which means it's easier to require vaccines. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection welcomes all guests regardless of vaccination status. Still, there are exceptions. If you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider about the risks of traveling. 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. Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. You can view Virgin Voyages latest policies here. 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. 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. 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. Because this policy only impacts sailings in Australia, only two Carnival ships are currently affected: Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa. 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. 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. The revenue generated will help us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism. The CDC says cruise lines can't allow "self-guided or independent exploration" at ports, and tour companies must still follow COVID-19 protocols like mask-wearing and social distancing. Depending on the cruise line, fully vaccinated can mean having received the original series at least 14 days prior to your cruise, or the original series plus a booster shot. Unvaccinated travelers may embark with a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken within three days prior to embarkation. All passengers will undergo a complimentary COVID-19 test during the pre-cruise hotel stay prior to embarkation. There is no mention of needing a reason to be eligible for an exemption. Dont Miss: Cruise Ship With Go Kart Track. In other health protocol-related news, last week Norwegian Cruise Line announced that as of today, it will be allowing unvaccinated kids under 12 to sail on its ships. fred o. Fred. 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.. In you are an unvaccinated adult, some cruise lines will now let you sail, others will not. Policy: Masks are not required onboard, except in the medical center. Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers, no exceptions, need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Carnival no longer requires masks on its ships. Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? Pre-boarding tests are not required for vaccinated guests. 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. Pre-voyage testing is not required for guests with proof of vaccination unless local regulations stipulate otherwise. Cruising is a popular way to explore the world, and many travelers are eager to get back on the open seas. While most cruise lines require adults to be vaccinated right now, unvaccinated readers want to know when the vaccine mandate may go away. For instance, Princess Cruises maintains a list of Enhanced Guidelines Voyages, and its CruiseHeath look-up tool is available to anyone. While some cruise lines state theyll accept medical exemptions, others do not, and it also might depend on the port. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. These links are signposted with an asterisk. MSC Cruises As of September 1, 2022, MSC Cruises no longer requires U.S. citizens to be vaccinated. It also varies based on different rules for cruise ships or territories, and evolving guidance from the CDC. 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. 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. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding. Additionally, it's important to check the latest travel advisories and restrictions for your destination before booking a cruise. This simplifies the requirements to sail. For now, none of the cruise lines that have a vaccine requirement have announced any plans to rescind that rule in the future. 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. That means having both doses of a two-dose shot 14 days before embarking on the ship. Vaccines are also required to be administered at least 14 days prior to travel. Dont Miss: What Time Does The Victory Casino Cruise Sail. Masks will now be required in all indoor public spaces or in any crowded venue, indoors or outdoors, regardless of vaccination status. 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 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. 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. Now, a recent shift has led to cruise lines removing those hurdles as well. Heres a rundown of the basic rules for some leading cruise lines. Again, your cruise company will have the details you need based on your specific itinerary. Kids two to five years old will still be required to wear masks in the kids club spaces and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. MSC is a popular choice for passengers looking for relatively affordable fares. All guests aged 4 and older are required to have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding. Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week. Now, the cruise brand owned by billionaire Richard Branson has quietly decided to allow some unvaccinated sailors, as it calls its passengers, on its upcoming voyages. Do I need a vaccine to cruise? As of last week, masks arent required for vaccinated guests on Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean. All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. Unvaccinated guests are required to be tested. The chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high because the virus spreads easily between people in close quarters aboard ships. Generally, proof of inoculation must include your name, the type of vaccine you received and the dates on which you received all required doses. CDC recommends all eligible travelers be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccines. 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. Here, we go over the major cruise lines in the U.S. and tell you which ones are currently requiring face coverings onboard. Amateur zombie evangelist. 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. Will Lines Still Require a Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Test Before a Cruise? This isn't an easy decision, because it's partially about people's health and partially about keeping your business healthy. Vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers can go on all other cruises, with unvaccinated guests showing proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within three days of embarkation. 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.