While most cruise lines require adults to be vaccinated right now, unvaccinated readers want to know when the vaccine mandate may go away. Most lines only accept vaccines recognized and approved by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. However, Asia and Oceania, and some countries in Central and South America, still have stricter rules in place. Olsen passengers are required to wear a mask onboard when not in their staterooms, eating or drinking, or seated in a deck . Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks may be required in public areas on the ship . We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. While some cruise lines have relaxed their mask policies, others may still require them. Dont Miss: What Cruise Ships Sail Out Of San Francisco. 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. Carnival no longer requires masks on its ships. All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. Aida Cruises, Ama Waterways, American Queen Steamboat Company, Azamara, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Viking are all open or planning to open soon. In addition to staying up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC recommends that people who plan to cruise do the following: Dont Miss: Which Cruise Line Gives The Best Military Discount. Azamara is one of the cruise lines that no longer requires passengers to wear masks on their ships, although they still recommend them. Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken within three days prior to embarkation. Guests must also wear masks during the entire embarkation and debarkation processes. 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. 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. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. On voyages that visit Greece or Italy, they are required on. For all country specific travel requirements, travelers should visit www.ncl.com/travel-requirements-by-country. 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. Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return.. In other words, this is not something you want to put off until the last minute. Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return. 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. For now, none of the cruise lines that have a vaccine requirement have announced any plans to rescind that rule in the future. Disney Cruise Line, which recently welcomed . For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs new cruise newsletter. The reintroduced policy is effective immediately, and there is no announced end date for when it may be relaxed. Before your trip, you will need to review your cruise lines health and safety protocols. Those requirements would not be necessary on the same cruise without a stop in Colombia. Cruise lines have their own rules countries have their own rules. As the United States has opened up again following the worst of the pandemic, many people have returned to a normal way of life. Disney Cruise Line joins the majority of cruise operators that have done away with COVID-19 vaccination requirements on some ships. For now, none of the cruise lines that have a vaccine requirement have announced any plans to rescind that rule in the future. - 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. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Others have eliminated both Covid vaccination requirements and testing requirements for some, but not all, passengers based on itineraries or cruise lengths. Gov. A. Most major cruise lines require proof of vaccination for all passengers age 12 and up, and some require them for kids as young as 5 years old . That meant they required just about everyone on board to have their shots, with few exceptions allowed for young children and people who cant be vaccinated due to medical conditions or religious beliefs. For instance, Princess Cruises maintains a list of Enhanced Guidelines Voyages, and its CruiseHeath look-up tool is available to anyone. For Royal Caribbean, the changes include sailings from Los Angeles, New Orleans, Galveston and Europe. As well, no vaccine will be required if sailing from Europe. CunardAll guests age 16 and up must be vaccinated, including with booster shots. If you have received one of these shots, then you should be good to go. American Queen VoyagesOn this lines river, ocean, Great Lakes and expedition ships, all passengers are required to be vaccinated. Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. If you are allowed onboard, you will need to be tested precruise, which is required for unvaccinated children as well. Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required?. As well, even if not required, Royal Caribbean asks that you still bring proof of vaccination to your cruise. 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. Celebrity Cruises The cruise line has a limited but growing presence in the U.S., with cruises from Florida and New York. Masks will now be required in all indoor public spaces or in any crowded venue, indoors or outdoors, regardless of vaccination status. Otherwise all guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before departure. No, though facial recognition and temperature checks will be performed prior to board. Youll find expert advice for experienced and first-time cruisers, as well as port and destination guides. Olsen Cruise Lines. While most cruise lines require adults to be vaccinated right now, unvaccinated readers want to know when the vaccine mandate may go away. 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. Generally, proof of inoculation must include your name, the type of vaccine you received and the dates on which you received all required doses. Because the policy reads for the time being it is likely a temporary measure and will be redacted when possible. All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. Heres what you need to know. The Disney Magic cruise ship will make the change on Nov. 7. 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. Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard. 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/. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. A precruise test is no longer required on the river ships. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends updating people on their COVID-19 vaccines before going on a cruise. But most major cruise lines dropped mask mandates earlier this year as COVID-19 cases worldwide dropped significantly. As well, Sir Richard Bransons new cruise line Virgin Voyages also dropped its masking policy as of yesterday, February 28. The question for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian becomes which changes will lead to the most passengers on their ships? MSC Cruises As of September 1, 2022, MSC Cruises no longer requires U.S. citizens to be vaccinated. Unvaccinated travellers need to present the results of a medically administered PCR or antigen test taken less than 72 hours before boarding. A number of cruise lines have reviewed their policies following the change. 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. Keep in mind that even though face masks are no longer required for ships from the above cruise lines, they still may be required in specific venues such as the theater or kids clubs. Traveler Alert: Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip! Because this policy only impacts sailings in Australia, only two Carnival ships are currently affected: Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. 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. 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. 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. 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. These brands are Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Seabourn. Carnival, for example, says itll accept some vaccine exemptions from those ages 12 and younger, as well as adults who have that they cant be vaccinated but only at their Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina and Alabama ports until the end of March 2022. 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. Those indoor spaces include all lounges, corridors, elevators, theaters, casinos, and other spaces, unless guests are eating or drinking. Additionally, it's important to check the latest travel advisories and restrictions for your destination before booking a cruise. The cruise line will still administer a COVID-19 antigen test to each guest prior to boarding, free of charge, and masks are required in public areas. Main photo: a cruise ship docked near Grand Turk Island. The good news is that given the vaccines, a milder variant, and prior cases, the amount of serious illness seems lower. Carnival Cruise Line updated its Have Fun. Antibody tests are not accepted. Unvaccinated passengers will be required to show a negative test for all trips. However, before they cruise, those without the shot will need to have a negative test taken within three days of cruising . For example, approximately 100 cases were reported onboard Coral Princess in early July during one of the first restart cruises, while more recently, local news services have reported more than 800 cases aboard Majestic Princess. Now, a recent shift has led to cruise lines removing those hurdles as well. Cruises from Australia or those 16 nights or longer do still require a passenger be vaccinated to sail. 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. Cruise lines are gradually easing restrictions and resuming operations, with some already allowing unvaccinated passengers to disembark. Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. 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. Additionally, many cruise lines are still enforcing social distancing measures onboard and in public areas.When planning a cruise vacation, it's important to research the safety protocols of each cruise line before booking. 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. Also Check: Best Hotels Near Miami Cruise Port Virgin Voyages Vaccine Policy As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. On ocean, lakes, and expedition ships that visit Canada, there is a free COVID-19 test at the precruise hotel check-in on the day prior to embarkation until further notice. 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. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy. The change comes as major cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Holland America Line, have dropped vaccine requirements for many sailings in recent weeks. Not sure where to go? 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. Note: In order to be considered fully vaccinated, passengers must have received their final shot at least 15 days prior to embarkation. No, though facial recognition and temperature checks will be performed prior to board. 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. Have no fear, we provide all the relevant links and information you need for all of the major cruise lines below. It was most recently updated and republished on June 17, 2022. Crew will be tested regularly while on board. In compliance with U.K. guidance, Fred. In most cases, no. 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. 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. Every other cruise line has a tough decision to make. Also, fully vaccinated passengers now no longer need to provide a negative COVID-19 test prior to setting sail on many voyages. What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air filters and buffets have been eliminated. Details: Royal Caribbeans latest mask policy. A number of cruise lines have reviewed their policies following the change. Bottom line: If youve 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. 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. Read Also: How Much Are Cruises Out Of Galveston. 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. 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. 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. Effective April 15, all guests five and older must be vaccinated to sail on Celebrity from the United States. 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. View Best Prices on Carnival, Celebrity Cruises Starting on Monday, September 5, 2022, all guests will be able to sail on Celebrity cruise ships, even if not vaccinated. 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. Policy: Masks are not required onboard, except for in a few select indoor locations. The cruise line currently requires unvaccinated guests to have a vaccine exemption before they sail. Currently, booster shots are not required for any passengers. 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. All guests and crew will be required to wear a mask onboard. Yes. 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. 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. There are a few exceptions. Fully vaccinated passengers do not have to test prior to sailing. Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. The company shared that information in an email that was sent to people booked on upcoming sailings. If Cruises Sail With Vaccinated & Unvaccinated Passengers, Is Everything Back to Normal? Connect with other cruisers before and after you set sail. On sailings that visit Greece, they are required on the ship when indoors. Celestyal Cruises has partnered with Bioiatriki which provides tests for just 10 per person at locations across Athens and Thessaloniki. 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. As of December 2022, if it has been at least 2 months since their last dose, children as young as 6 months who completed the Moderna primary series can receive one updated bivalent booster dose. The TSA no longer requires face. Carnival has also removed the mask mandate from its ships. 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. The question for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian becomes which changes will lead to the most passengers on their ships? Celebrity is not requiring booster shots for any passengers at this time. Mask-wearing requirements were common on cruise ships through much of 2021 and into early 2022 as COVID-19 spread across the globe in several major waves. As an adults-only cruise line, Virgin required everyone on the ship to be vaccinated. However, as is the case with Cunard, these cruise lines stop . Dont Miss: What Time Does The Victory Casino Cruise Sail. 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. The revenue generated will help us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. First-time cruisers:3 things to know before stepping foot on the ship, Recommended Reading: Cruise Capital Of The World. Our Crew will remain fully vaccinated as they are now. 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. 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. Amateur zombie evangelist. 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. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Cruise Line. At this date, Regent will adopt the following pre-cruise testing requirements, subject to local regulations: Explore Regent Seven Seas current health and safety protocols here. This article contains links which are ads and if you click on a link and buy a product we will earn revenue. Again, your cruise company will have the details you need based on your specific itinerary. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ended its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships on July 18, after which many cruise lines that had opted in eased their protocols. 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. Major global cruise lines no longer require passengers to wear masks.2 days ago. 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. So, will you need a vaccine to cruise? 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. 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.