As of today, 90 percent of all vacationers booking with Royal Caribbean are either vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated in time for their cruise.. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications and remedies. Florida banned vaccination proof requirements. Not all cruise lines Not only will being fully vaccinated help protect you from getting seriously ill with COVID-19, but it can also help protect those around you,Thomas Russo, MD,professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo, toldHealth. Still, there are exceptions. Masks are no longer required. Yes, we welcome all guests to sail with us, regardless of vaccination status and age, and with no testing or masking requirements. Will any countries visited during the cruise require additional testing to enter the country? Unvaccinated guests are welcome but required to have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, subject to local regulations. "You really should get vaccinated," added Dr. Russo. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, FDA, CDC expand Pfizer & Moderna bivalent vaccines to kids 6 months and up with Sandra Fryhofer, MD, Outbreak updates for international cruise ships. Earlier this month, Oceania dropped testing requirements for vaccinated passengers; unvaccinated guests need to show proof of a negative antigen or PCR test taken within 72 hours. All guests 18 and older must be vaccinated to sail, plus one booster shot if eligible. Cruise Lines Eliminate COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements & Pre-Cru 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). Masks are optional in all areas. Royal Caribbean did not answer a question about whether its decision not to require vaccinations for passengers was a result of the states bans. CDC lifts some mask rules for vaccinated cruise passengers, This is it, Bayley said in the statement. We have increased intensive care units (ICU) capacity onboard and ICUs are equipped with infusion pumps, IV treatments, cardiac monitors, defibrillators, cardiac pacemakers and ventilators. If you have a cruise booked, you should keep checking the cruise lines website or contact the line for the latest rules. For additional information, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. Boosters are required for those age 18 and up who completed tests more than nine months prior to the cruise. Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing - Travel In the event you or any member of your traveling party tests positive for COVID-19 in the 10 days before your cruise departs, or at the boarding terminal, you and your traveling p. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be . Heres a rundown of the basic rules for some leading cruise lines. Can You Go on a Cruise Without Being Vaccinated? - Health Get tested for COVID-19 one to three days before your trip and three to five days after your trip, regardless of your vaccination status. However, we encourage all guests to follow the vaccination and testing guidance outlined above. In addition, guests will be required to agree to abide by all of the cruise line's health and safety protocols and acknowledge the risks associated with COVID-19 during their voyage and shoreside experiences. In a statement, the cruise lines president and CEO, Michael Bayley, thanked elected officials including Gov. Some Cruise Lines to No Longer Require COVID Vaccines - AFAR - AFAR Media How do I know if there are any travel restrictions that could impact my cruise? Some countries issue "certificates of recovery" if someone has been infected with COVID-19 and recovered, issuing a certificate that proves a positive COVID-19 test and recovery, instead of vaccination as someone's proof of immunity. The reality is even if you booked a cruise with the assumption you were going to be on a ship where everyone is vaccinated and tested, that may no longer be the case. While guests over the age of five previously had to be vaccinated, starting in early September, unvaccinated passengers under the age of 12 are now allowed to board. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications, remedies, and virus-testing equipment as available. On February 18, Crystal Cruises said it would require guests to receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before a cruise. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding. Should the need arise, we also have partnerships with onshore medical institutions in place to provide clinical advice and assistance as needed. Before you book -- and especially if you're looking at cruises months ahead -- it's important to consider the spread of COVID-19 in countries or ports where your ship will stop, and that's regardless of your vaccination status. Norwegian Cruise Lines Also enacted earlier this month on September 3, the Miami-based company will now allow guests over the age of 12 who are not vaccinated to board if they have a negative. Our Health Screening Measures (listed in section 2 below) promote health and safety onboard and help minimise the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. Drug-sniffing dogs and $500 fines: Carnival tries to tame cruises, Battery fire on Spirit flight to Florida sends 10 to hospital, In a crowded place, a face mask or respirator keeps the virus away, The investigation into covids origins must continue, Your questions about covid-19, answered by Dr. Leana Wen, Lab leak report energizes Republicans covid probes, We are asking the wrong question about the origins of covid, Doctors who touted ivermectin as covid fix now pushing it for flu, RSV, First combination home test for flu and covid cleared by the FDA. The world has been reopening quickly and once more, we are pleased to welcome all travelers, of all ages, to safely explore the world with comfort and ease aboard the small, luxurious ships of Oceania Cruises.. Political buffoonery: Cruise lines head for showdown with DeSantis over vaccine requirement ban, Thanks in large part to the successful rollout of vaccines, the world of adventure is beginning to open up, and we are all excited to start delivering great vacations to our guests, who have increasingly told us they are getting vaccinated, Bayley said in the statement. 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. Guests aged three and older may embark without testing or vaccination, if providing documentation that he/she has recovered from COVID-19 between ten to 90 days prior to the departure date. Local regulations may have booster requirements to enter certain countries make sure to check Travel Requirements by Country to understand country specific requirements. FDA, CDC expand Pfizer & Moderna bivalent vaccines to kids 6 months and up with Sandra Fryhofer, MD. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our CareTeam will assist with daily wellbeing check-ins . Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter. Disney Cruise Line. Dont Delay, Wait Times Have Climbed, American Is Cutting 50,000 Summer Flights From These U.S. If you're not comfortable vaccinating your child under 12, hold off on buying them a ticket or get confirmation on a timeline for requirements from your desired cruise line. Yes, we offer guests the option to purchase travel protection plans. Lindblad ExpeditionsAll passengers age 5 and older must be vaccinated. 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. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the cruise line said in a news release. The big question is, what cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests to sail? Were thrilled that NCLH has updated their sailing guidelines to welcome unvaccinated guests and adjust testing requirements.. (Note: This information is accurate as of February 7, 2023. Vessels are equipped with an onboard laboratory, which can administer Complete Blood Counts (CBC), Blood Chemistry, Coagulation tests, and Influenza tests. Also, crew members may work multiple voyages, passing on germs transmitted from previous passengers. It turns out that you can usually board a cruise ship without being vaccinated for COVID-19. The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Safety protocols for unvaccinated passengers have also not been announced. Masks and social distancing are now also optional, but surgical masks are still required for the first seven days of trans-oceanic and World Tour itineraries. All guests are required to accept the terms and conditions in our guest ticket contract. Check with the cruise line for protocols on pre-board testing and vaccination. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine before your cruise is not only cost effective, but it could save your life. See the full list of vaccines approved by the WHO here. Retesting three to five days after returning, and in particular, if symptoms have developed, is also advised, says Dr. Jasmin Valentin of Sameday Health. The information in this story is accurate as of press time. The company announced the requirement as it plans. As Disney Cruise Line (we, us) returns to sailing following the public health threat of COVID-19, we are changing some of our usual practices. Temperature checks occur daily. 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. "Currently, COVID-19 vaccination is required for all guests for all sailings departing on March 13, 2021, through April 10, 2021, at this time," American Cruise Lines said in a statement. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for those to or from Australia and on transatlantic and transpacific cruises. Check your airline's protocols around testing, mask-wearing, vaccination, or quarantining if you're flying before or after the cruise. Vaccine and pretrip testing requirements can be confusing, especially if you are cruising internationally. Vaccinated guests are required to provide proof of negative COVID-19 test in addition to vaccination documentation, as listed above, only when embarking in Australia. Norwegian still strongly recommends that all guests be up to date on their vaccination status and test at their convenience before travel. Vacationers can finally plan to take their precious time off this summer and truly get away after what has been a challenging time for everyone.. The European Union's Digital COVID Certificate, for example, includes certification of recovery from COVID-19. Jessica is a writer on the Wellness team with a focus on health news. Cruise ships often have food buffets, which can be easily contaminated and lead to the rapid spread of illnesses like norovirus. This website uses cookies. Do You Need To Be Vaccinated To Go on a Cruise? Viking will continue to do onboard testings for any passengers who report symptoms. The Crystal Symphony. CDC also continues to recommend mask wearing in indoor travel settings.. But ever since theCOVID-19 pandemicbegan, it's understandable to wonder whether you can go on a cruise if you're not vaccinated. For departures through 2022, proof of vaccination or certificate of recent recovery is no longer required, though testing protocols will still be in place. I need help securing a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, does NCL offer any testing services? You also might need to purchase travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage if you have an unvaccinated guest in your party and you're departing from a Florida or Texas port. The pandemic after the pandemic: Long covid haunts millions of people. Latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Schedule an on-line proctoring consultation, Any documentation required from the country where the guest is embarking. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) is officially the first company to welcome unvaccinated travelers onboard its cruise brands Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises without any capacity limits, and the industry response is one largely of praise. Here's a quick breakdown of vaccination and testing policies as of December 2022 at several major cruise lines: At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020,cruise ships experienced major outbreaksof the SARS-CoV-2 virus as it spread across the globe. Carnival Cruise Line drops COVID-19 vaccine requirement for most Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations that continue to require vaccinations. That's because cruise ships, with their tight quarters, buffet-style living and international travel, can be a breeding ground for the coronavirus. 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line, 20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line, 11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog. With that in mind, weve put together this list of cruise lines allowing unvaccinated guests to sail, as well as what the other lines currently require regarding vaccinations. All guests are strongly advised to monitor current travel requirements and advisories for their home countries. Mask Policy Masks on board are recommended but not required indoors or outdoors. All rights reserved. Will I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? A line-by-line guide Most cruise lines kept requirements for vaccinations and precruise testing in place, but that changed in late July, after the CDC backed off even further from its monitoring of the cruise industry. Vaccinations are optional. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Will I be required to take a COVID test to disembark the vessel? Norwegian Cruise Line doesn't allow children under the age of 5 to cruise, for example, because they can't get vaccinated yet. After two years of first banning and then advising against cruising due to pandemic-related health and safety risks, in late March 2022, the CDC dropped its warning to travelers about the health risks of cruising during the COVID pandemic. The US doesn't issue certificates of recovery at this time, so telling the cruise line you already had COVID-19 won't get you a vaccine exemption. Bottom line: If you've 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. The changes began shortly. Present one of the following: Negative COVID-19 antigen test within 24 hours of the embarkation date. With the relaxation of travel requirements around the world, were thrilled to welcome all guests back on our ships to cruise freely to the places theyve been dreaming of regardless of vaccination status and with no testing requirements. Monitor yourself for symptoms after the trip, and isolate yourself if you have a positive test or develop symptoms. Simply enter your zip code, or city and country, and the website will display locations, contact information, and testing hours. Norwegian Cruise Line will review reimbursement submissions in the event your insurance carrier denies the claim or you do not have travel insurance. The new, simplified protocols recognize the evolving nature of COVID-19 while still ensuring we protect the health of our guests, team members and the communities we visit.. The first is scheduled to depart Miami on July 2, with more joining the fleet through Aug. 23. Its pre-boarding tests requirements have also been scaled back. It's also important to consider who's coming with you. Cruises that are 16 nights or longer may have additional requirements based on the itinerary. Crystal Cruises. Youll find expert advice for experienced and first-time cruisers, as well as port and destination guides. Some ships can hold more than 5,400 passengers at two to a room. Should You Test for COVID Before Your Omicron Booster? It also varies based on different rules for cruise ships or territories, and evolving guidance from the CDC. As of this month, the majority of cruise passengers are required to be both fully vaccinated and tested for COVID-19 before getting on a ship; some exceptions to the vaccination rules applied only for kids under age 12 and a very small number of adults seeking exemptions. Do I need another booster? While other cruise lines may not officially require vaccinations for kids that young yet, they may in the future. Travelers ages 11 and under will not be subject to any vaccination requirements or testing protocols. It depends. CDC continues to recommend that cruise travelers remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines and get tested for COVID-19 before and after they travel, and after any known exposure to a person with COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends updating people on their COVID-19 vaccines before going on a cruise. So far, the CDC has approved nine ships for test cruises, operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. Apparently, Dolven is referring to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signing into law a ban on Covid-19 "vaccine passports." That means, as of July 1, the Florida state government could. Cruise Ship Travel | Travelers' Health | CDC The testing and masking requirement specifics may differ by cruise or length of sail, but everyone age 2 and older should be prepared to be tested for COVID-19 before boarding, or during the journey when applicable, regardless of vaccination status. If you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider about the risks of traveling. And if you're not vaccinated, it's important to check the guidelines for your cruise line. Cruisers have been patiently waiting and there is pent-up demand. Trips that are 16 days or longer will still require a medically supervised COVID test with written results within three days of travel.Our guests have been excited to return to cruising, and these changes will make it easier for more guests to explore the world in a safe and enjoyable environment, the companys president Gus Antorcha said in a statement last month. Testing at home is safe, simple, and convenient. Onboard medical consultations and treatments are provided at a charge for all respiratory illnesses. On ocean, lakes, and expedition ships that visit Canada, there is a free COVID-19 test (antigen) at the precruise hotel check-in on the day prior to embarkation until further notice. Lindblad Expeditions is among the shrinking number of cruise lines that continue to require vaccination and testing. Once booked and on board, passengers should take the appropriate precautions, but they should also remember to have funit is a vacation!. Norwegian Cruise Line, which has not been approved to restart, has said it will initially require everyone on board to be vaccinated. Passengers age 4 and under do not require a vaccination. To board Carnival ships, unvaccinated guests need to show a negative PCR or an antigen test within three days of boarding (self-tests are now accepted by Carnival for boarding purposes). This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. If a guest follows health and safety protocols and tests positive during their cruise, the Cruise Line will help coordinate necessary onboard COVID-19-related medical consultation, standard/common prescription drugs, and required land-based quarantine. Viking CruisesAll passengers and crew are required to be vaccinated on Vikings river and ocean shipswithout exception. We know from our advisors that their unvaccinated clients have been waiting for this announcement, and I have no doubt that we will see a spike in cruise bookings, Fee said. But as noted above, some lines make exceptions to vaccination rules for young children. In many cases, yes. The family-focused cruise line has been rolling out new regulations this month. There are no restrictions for those under the age of 11. Before your trip, you will need to review your cruise lines health and safety protocols. 2023 Cond Nast. Disney Cruise Line became the first cruise line to requirepassengers as young as 5 to be vaccinated for sailings starting Jan. 13. All guests are advised to monitor and comply with applicable travel restrictions. And as in the noncruise world, the changes in regulations are happening quickly and travelers will need to stay updated on the latest. Self-tests are accepted in some cases, but it's best to check the specifics on the site. What You Need to Know About Norwegian Cruise Lines Premium+ Drink Package, 12 Things to Know Before Sailing Royal Caribbean, Carnival Drops Pre-Cruise Testing & Vaccination Requirements, NCLH Drops COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements, Welcomes Everyone to Sail, 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. Travel tips you can trust. Additional travel restrictions for certain nationalities or countries may arise based on the quickly evolving public health environment. All passengers must be vaccinated. The world's second-largest cruise line late Friday said that effective Sept. 6 it no longer would require passengers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine for all voyages except those . Otherwise, you will need a booster. Royal Caribbean will require vaccinations for some. Unvaccinated people are now over 10 times more likely to get hospitalized with COVID-19 andover 10 times more likely to die from the diseasethan fully vaccinated people, according to a September CDC report. Those eligible for boosters are also required to have received them. If a guest follows health and safety protocols and tests positive during their cruise, the Cruise Line will help coordinate necessary onboard COVID-19-related medical consultation, standard/common prescription drugs, and required land-based quarantine. The cruise line continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel. Do bivalent boosters work against XBB.1.5? To make sure the experience remains safe only vaccinated adults will. (If testing is required it can typically be either a PCR test or tele-health-monitored antigen test, paid for by the passenger. As of December 2022, if it has been at least2 monthssince their last dose, children as young as 6 months who completed the Modernaprimary series can receive one updated bivalent booster dose. This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. Royal Caribbean announces cruises with no vaccine requirement - The Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. By continuing to browse the site you agree to our use of cookies. (Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.) SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (August 12, 2022) - Princess Cruises today announced updated COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, removing the vaccine requirement for most voyages of less than 16 days so that anyone can cruise, and adjusting pre-travel testing requirements to make it less complicated. Celebritys Healthy at Sea page makes it easy to track the specific requirements based on your cruises itinerary. Many popular cruise lines have eliminated the vaccine and pre-embarkation test as the industry is beginning to shift away from mandatory vaccines and testing. Are children required to have a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? Purchasing in-home testing kits is simple. On most sailings, kids and teens ages 17 and under do not have a vaccine requirement. The cruise line may also require a test at the pier, paid for by the cruise line.) FDA proposes switching to annual coronavirus vaccine, mimicking flu model. Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. These rules apply to cruises of under 16 nights. River cruise line Avalon Waterways is requiring that prior to sailing, passengers show proof of COVID-19 vaccination completed at least 14 days before travel, proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken no more than 72 hours before travel, or proof of recovery from a COVID-19 diagnosis within three months of travel. Check the U.S. State Departments detailed COVID-19 travel information and country-specific advisories, which are updated regularly. Check the cruise lines websites for the most up-to-date information.). SeabournAs of September 6, fully vaccinated passengers will no longer be required to submit a precruise COVID-19 test. While . Disney Cruise Line Royal Caribbean Won't Require Covid-19 Vaccination To Ride U - Forbes All guests must be vaccinated to sail with Viking. Should you need to locate a testing provider prior to beginning travel or while traveling prior to your cruise, please visit TestForTravel.com, an easy-to-use online tool for locating COVID-19 testing providers around the world. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on most voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations with local regulations that may continue to require vaccination including Australia. Unvaccinated passengers are welcome to sail on all cruises departing from Europe and the U.S. Vaccination continues to be required on voyages to or from Australia, New Zealand, and the Galapagos Islands. 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. This article was published more than1 year ago. Carnival, for example, says it'll accept some vaccine exemptions from those ages 12 and younger, as well as adults who have "written confirmation from their medical provider" that they can't be vaccinated -- but only at their Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina and Alabama ports until the end of March 2022. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, should expect to be tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding a cruise ship. If you chose not to get a COVID-19 vaccine, can you still go on your favorite cruise vacation? These 3 Cruise Lines Don't Require Vaccination Against COVID-19 Get your annual flu shot and get up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. Starting with departures from October 8, 2022, guests who are vaccinated will no longer have to take a pre-boarding antigen test 48 hours before departure, if the itinerary starts in South America, the Caribbean, the United Arab Emirates, and the Mediterranean (with the exception of Greece).