Aug. 14, 2022 Four major cruise lines are dropping their COVID-19 vaccination requirements for some sailings next month, according to USA Today. Will masks be required on cruise ships in 2022? 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. Heres a rundown of the basic rules for some leading cruise lines. What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air filters and buffets have been eliminated. 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 travelers may embark with a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken within three days prior to embarkation. Treat those flights as domestic travel. 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. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. Princess Cruises will remove vaccination requirements on Sept. 6 for most voyages that are less than 16 days. Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines - Travel + Leisure Booked guests can get up-to-date information using the Cruise Personalizer tool. 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. Children age 12 to 15 must have received two initial doses of the vaccination. 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. 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. Cruising is a popular way to explore the world, and many travelers are eager to get back on the open seas. Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken within three days prior to embarkation. Testing and vaccination requirements will differ for guests traveling on voyages departing from destinations with specific local health regulations, including the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, and Greece. Democrats have denounced the new law and accused DeSantis of undermining both public health and the cruise industry. Which Cruise Lines Require Vaccinations - CruiseInfoClub.com Its almost unheard of for a vaccinated person to get seriously ill with Covid-19, she said in an email. For all sailings 5 nights or less, no testing is required for vaccinated guests. 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. Carnival Cruise LineOnly passengers on sailings to Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia, plus cruises of 16 nights or more, need to be fully vaccinated. 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. 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. Not sure where to go? One of the trickier questions to tackle is do cruises require vaccinations? We expect approximately 90 percent of our guests will be vaccinated. Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless they're traveling from or to a destination that requires it. Otherwise all guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before departure. 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. 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. Which Cruise Lines Require Passengers to Wear Masks? - Cruise Critic No. Award-winning beer ninja. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. However, some cruise lines have recently revoked the obligation to wear masks on certain ships this summer. Heres a rundown of the basic rules for some leading cruise lines. Still, there are exceptions. The question for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian becomes which changes will lead to the most passengers on their ships? U.S. Coast Guard Will Not Enforce Face Masks at Cruise Terminals You can view Carnivals latest policies here. That creates a peace of mind you dont get on other types of vacations. For now, none of the cruise lines that have a vaccine requirement have announced any plans to rescind that rule in the future. The line also warns that masks could be required by some ports of call its ships visit. The revenue generated will help us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism. MORE: 8 Tips For Preparing to Cruise in 2022. 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. All passengers over the age of 12 must be fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated guests are required to be tested. Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard except in the medical center. MSCs policy toward vaccination for sailing from the United States is that while kids under 12 years old are allowed to sail unvaccinated, those older than that must have the shot. Carnival Cruise Line Carnival has joined the CDC programme so, effective with cruises departing March 1, masks on board will be recommended but not required on US sailings. Passengers can call the cruise line at 954-488-2955 to ask about sailing without having the shot. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. 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/. The good news is that given the vaccines, a milder variant, and prior cases, the amount of serious illness seems lower. Again, your cruise company will have the details you need based on your specific itinerary. You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. 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. Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. As protocols change rapidly, here is our rundown of current cruise line COVID-19 practices and policies: There are a number of vaccines available around the world. The chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high because the virus spreads easily between people in close quarters aboard ships. Additionally, it's important to check the latest travel advisories and restrictions for your destination before booking a cruise. A. Carnival Cruise Line wont require unvaccinated guests to apply for an exemption to sail after Sept. 6. 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. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Unvaccinated passengers will need to test before boarding. You can also work with a local travel medicine clinic to determine what vaccinations or preventative measures are recommended based on your itinerary. There are a few exceptions. If Cruises Sail With Vaccinated & Unvaccinated Passengers, Is Everything Back to Normal? Hell of a Cruise:Highlighting the panic, failures of the COVID early days. 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. Policy: Masks are not required onboard, except for in a few select indoor locations. Also, fully vaccinated passengers now no longer need to provide a negative COVID-19 test prior to setting sail on many voyages. The cruise line has a limited but growing presence in the U.S., with cruises from Florida and New York. Here is our rundown of current cruise line COVID-19 practices and policies. MSC also requires unvaccinated children between 2 and 5 to wear a mask when indoors. Prior to the pandemic, the industry directly and indirectly supported nearly 160,000 jobs in Florida. 3 things to know before stepping foot on the ship, When Can You Book Excursions On Disney Cruise, Spirit Of Washington Dc Sunset Dinner Cruise With Buffet, Toyota Fj Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Edition For Sale. Details: Royal Caribbeans latest mask policy. Read Also: How Much Are Cruises Out Of Galveston. The cruise line said COVID vaccines will no longer be required for passengers 12 and older on the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, and Disney Wonder cruise ships starting on Oct. 14. Costa Cruises will also allow unvaccinated travelers to board sailings 14 nights or shorter in the Caribbean and Mediterranean beginning Oct. 8. : Yes American Queen is even vaccinating its shoreside employees. Heres what you need to know. fred o. Fred. 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. American Queen VoyagesOn this lines river, ocean, Great Lakes and expedition ships, all passengers are required to be vaccinated. Celebrity Cruises In fact, apart from vaccines and testing, the onboard experience has returned to exactly what it was before the pandemic. Given the significant, positive progress in the public health environment, the Cruise Line updated its health and safety guidelines, which are now more aligned with other global travel organizations. Proud musicaholic. 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. Read Also: Cruises In April 2022 From Florida. 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. For general information on testing, please refer to our article on cruise testing requirements. The CDC updated its guidelines on July 18 so that vaccination is no longer a requirement instead, its merely recommended. Celestyal Cruises has partnered with Bioiatriki which provides tests for just 10 per person at locations across Athens and Thessaloniki. Will Lines Still Require a Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Test Before a Cruise? Testing is still required for some cruises. 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. See the full list of vaccines approved by the WHO here. Its also important to know that while all adults in the US are now eligible for boosters, the definition of fully vaccinated hasnt changed and you dont need an extra shot to be considered fully vaccinated. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs new cruise newsletter. Some cruise lines encourage vaccination even though they dont require it. Some may also require pre-board testing for unvaccinated people. Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccines to Sail? 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. Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard. 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. The cruise line has a limited but growing presence in the U.S., with cruises from Florida and New York. Around the same time, Celebrity Cruises went the opposite direction, lowering the age at which passengers must be vaccinated to sail on its ships. A precruise test is no longer required on the river ships. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. MSC currently offers cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas from Florida. Keep in mind that each cruise line determines its own health and wellness protocols. Also, most longer cruises will still require a vaccination. However, your cruise line will have more details about which specific shots they accept. Because this policy only impacts sailings in Australia, only two Carnival ships are currently affected: Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa. Those indoor spaces include all lounges, corridors, elevators, theaters, casinos, and other spaces, unless guests are eating or drinking. 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. 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. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. 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. The Future Of Cruising Will Require Masks, Testing, and More, According Judge sides with Norwegian in bid to require COVID-19 vaccination, What Is Included In Concierge Class On Celebrity Cruises, What Cruise Lines Sail From Jacksonville Florida, You can view Carnivals latest policies here, You can view Virgin Voyages latest policies here, ropped the pre-cruise testing requirement. 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. Which Cruise Line Does Not Require Vaccine - CruiseInfoClub.com 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.. Carnival will now allow all passengers including those who are unvaccinated to sail freely as of September 6, 2022. Generally, proof of inoculation must include your name, the type of vaccine you received and the dates on which you received all required doses. This isnt an easy decision, because its partially about peoples health and partially about keeping your business healthy. For instance, a Panama Canal cruise making a stop in Colombia triggers vaccine requirements for ports later in the itinerary. There are exceptions, however, such as dining venues, where guests can eat and drink without face . MORE: 8. The policy now reads, out of an abundance of caution, for the time being, masks are required in public indoor spaces.. 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. Every other cruise line has a tough decision to make. Masks on NCL? - Norwegian Cruise Line - Cruise Critic Community No, though facial recognition and temperature checks will be performed prior to board. Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. 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. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. It was most recently updated and republished on June 17, 2022. Carnival Cruise Line and local health authorities will continue to monitor local COVID-19 case levels and will make appropriate adjustments to the policy, as well as to other onboard protocols, to safeguard cruise guests, crew members, and port communities. All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. Virgin does not allow children on its ships, so it was sailing with 100% vaccination rates. Vaccinated travelers will not need to test before embarkation. While some cruise lines have relaxed their mask policies, others may still require them. Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return.. There is no mention of needing a reason to be eligible for an exemption. 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. We previously reported in our guide to cruise lines mask policies article that a large number of brands would be dropping all mask requirements onboard their ships as of today. You May Like: Are Greek Island Cruises Worth It. 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 line's. This article contains links which are ads and if you click on a link and buy a product we will earn revenue. 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. Its understandable why many voyagers can get muddled on what they need to do in relation to COVID-19 vaccination requirements for their next cruise. Read Also: When Is The Best Time To Cruise To Alaska, Floridas governor Ron DeSantis says cruise lines, other businesses cannot require proof of vacc, Norweigian Cruise Line to require COVID-19 vaccines, Ziprecruiter CEO says Employers are desperate, Cruises could still legally require proof of vaccination even if Florida bans vaccine passports, How Much Are Drinks On Viking River Cruises, Where Do Viking River Cruises Dock In Amsterdam, How To Get Off Viking Cruises Mailing List, Where Do River Cruise Ships Dock In Basel Switzerland, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travelers Health site, What Cruise Ships Sail Out Of San Francisco, some itineraries will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, more than 120 countries have dropped all restrictions.