Unvaccinated guests are welcome on most voyages. 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. Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test in order to embark on the second leg of a back-to-back sailing? Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter. 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. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. Additionally, starting this week, vaccinated passengers no longer need to test before embarking. Travel news, guides and tips for anyone looking to get away. The health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we serve is our top priority and we continue to monitor and adjust to the evolving global situation, Celestyals Chief Commercial Officer Leslie Peden said in a statement. Vaccinated and unvaccinated. Check with Seabourn for protocols on your specific sailing. Our Health Screening Measures (listed in section 2 below) promote health and safety onboard and help minimise the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. Some ships can hold more than 5,400 passengers at two to a room. Even if your particular cruise line does not have a pre-travel testing requirement, test one to three days before your trip anyway to minimize the risk to others. If you are allowed onboard, you will need to be tested precruise, which is required for unvaccinated children as well. That's because cruise ships, with their tight quarters, buffet-style living and international travel, can be a breeding ground for the coronavirus. Celebritys Healthy at Sea page makes it easy to track the specific requirements based on your cruises itinerary. COVID-19 requirements may differ in destinations that have specific mandates, such as Canada, Greece and Bermuda. This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. While some cruise lines operating in Europe have been requiring all passengers to be vaccinated, the C.D.C. Passengers age 4 and under do not require a vaccination. Vaccines must be approved for use by the country they are sailing from. Ron DeSantis whose staff has said cruise lines could be fined $5,000 per violation for requiring proof of vaccination for their support and for helping crew get vaccinated. All guests will continue to receive a COVID-19 test just prior to embarkation, arranged by Lindblad, and all guests must test negative to board. While . Otherwise, you will need a booster. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean International on Friday announced plans to bring back six more ships including some of its largest for U.S. sailings starting July 2. Precruise testing is required for all guests. International travel requirements and restrictions continue to evolve. 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. "We have been waiting a long time for this moment to arrive, Oceanias president and CEO Howard Sherman said in a statement. In a statement, the cruise lines president and CEO, Michael Bayley, thanked elected officials including Gov. Midway COVID tests and daily temperature checks have also been eliminatedhowever, there are exceptions for itineraries that include Spain, Barbados, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, and Morocco. Precruise testing is required for all guests. Local regulations may have booster requirements to enter certain countries make sure to check Travel Requirements by Country to understand country specific requirements. See the full list of vaccines approved by the WHO here. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, should expect to be tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding a cruise ship. 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. A tidal wave has followed, with other cruise lines announcing similar changes. Check the U.S. State Departments detailed COVID-19 travel information and country-specific advisories, which are updated regularly. It depends. For departures through 2022, proof of vaccination or certificate of recent recovery is no longer required, though testing protocols will still be in place. Unvaccinated guests will only need to submit a self-administered test taken within three days of sailing. 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. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations that continue to require vaccinations. Amazing buffets, cool amenities, and plenty of travelwhat's not to love? did not go that far. Carnival Cruise Line Only passengers on sailings to Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia, plus cruises of 16 nights or more, need to be fully vaccinated. So far, the CDC has approved nine ships for test cruises, operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. Since September 6, passengers on itineraries that are 16 nights or less, and who show proof of vaccination, no longer have to test before boarding. New Details Released, What to Know About Riding on the Alaska Railroad, 14 of the Best New Cruise Ships Launching in 2023, Katmandu Park Punta Cana Is Opening March 15, The Top Hotels in Mexico for a Romantic Getaway. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. If you chose not to get a COVID-19 vaccine, can you still go on your favorite cruise vacation? While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources. Overall, it's just better to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before going on a cruise, said Dr. Russo. 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. I need help securing a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, does NCL offer any testing services? Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, shopping, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Womens Health, Self, Prevention, Forbes, Daily Beast, and more. Ad Choices. Check out our variety of itineraries. While some cruise lines state they'll accept medical exemptions, others do not, and it also might depend on the port. The company also recently relaxed its mask-wearing policies, making them optional, even in indoor and crowded settings. The cruise lines join Saga Cruises, a company catering to passengers 50 and older, which said last month it would require all guests to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before boarding. Results need to be uploaded before boarding. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. Precruise testing is required for unvaccinated passengers. 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. Last week, Disney Cruise Line became the first cruise line to require passengers as young as 5 to be vaccinated for sailings starting Jan. 13. The company announced the requirement as it plans. Travel tips you can trust. 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. NAAT test (i.e., PCR) within 48 hours of embarkation date. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone:(201) 902-2000. 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. RELATED: NCLH Drops COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements, Welcomes Everyone to Sail. In May, the CDC scaled back slightly on its tough restrictions for cruise lines by allowing ships to declare themselves as highly vaccinated if 90 percent of passengers and at least 95 percent of crew were vaccinated. The cruise industries have seen a slower return to normal since the pandemic, but are definitely making a comeback, says Dr. Jan Jones of the University of New Havens hospitality and tourism department. Are there any onboard activities that will not be available? CDC Shares New Real-World Data on Updated Shots. As Guidelines Change, Heres What Its Like to Cruise Right Now, The 2023 Cruise Itineraries to Book Before They Sell Out, The Best New Cruises in the World: 2022 Hot List, These Airlines Are Finally Letting Families Sit Together, Free of Charge, A Proposed Federal Law Could Give Bumped Airline Passengers At Least $1,350 in Compensation, dropped its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, guests who are vaccinated will no longer have to take a pre-boarding antigen test. Get tested again after cruise travel. Lindblad ExpeditionsAll passengers age 5 and older must be vaccinated. Since late July, cruise lines have been further relaxing rules. The Greece-based company announced this week it will remove all COVID protocols for sailings starting on or after March 2, 2023, with the exception being if the local regulations of a destination deem otherwise. Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be charged to the guests' account. Starting Sept. 6, vaccinated guests sailing on voyages of less than 16 days will no longer have to test . Inspired Diagnostics is a subsidiary of Inspire Health Alliance, a leader in best-in-class health services. It also allows you to search by test type PCR or Antigen. For an easy to use online tool for locating COVID-19 testing providers around the world, please visit www.testfortravel.com. Beginning September 2, for sailings departing U.S. and Canadian ports, guests ages 12 and older are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing. Cruisers have been patiently waiting and there is pent-up demand. Rules may be different depending on requirements of locales visited. It's 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 isn't authorized yet in the US. For an easy-to-use online tool for locating COVID-19 testing providers around the world, please visitwww.TestForTravel.com. Previously, the number was 95 percent for passengers. Spice up your small talk with the latest tech news, products and reviews. Starting March 11, 2023, proof of vaccination for sailings to or from Europe will no longer be required. 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. Additionally, the following services offer a verified third party or medically supervised at home testing:eMed or BioReference-Scarlett Concierge testing service BioReference sends a trained Scarlet Health Professional to your home to collect your COVID-19 test specimen. Or will NCL offer testing onboard to meet travel requirements for guests flying back to countries that require negative COVID-19 test results to re-enter the country post cruise? Remember: Vaccine exemptions and refunds are not guaranteed. In addition to a broad set of coverage benefits, our plans cover medical expenses for illnesses, including COVID-19. No, we do not currently have any restrictions or limitations for guests with pre-existing health conditions. CDC, FDA Investigating PotentialBut 'Unlikely'Link Between Pfizer Booster and Stroke Risk, This Year's Flu Shot Is a 'Good Match,' CDC SaysBut Cases and Hospitalizations Continue to Rise, Omicron vs. Delta: How the 2 COVID-19 Variants Compare, Omicron Boosters Could Save 90,000 Lives This WinterBut Only if People Get Them. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. For those departing Europe or for longer U.S. itineraries, self-administered tests will be accepted (with the exception of those that stop in Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Greece or New Zealand). I believe that eventually all cruise lines will drop as many restrictions as they can, Jones adds. Looking for a family cruise on Disney's cruise line? Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Self-tests are accepted in some cases, but it's best to check the specifics on the site. Cruise lines have their own rules; countries have their own rules. For additional information, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. Now many brand loyalists are chatting about jumping ship, so to speak, to a Norwegian company if their otherwise preferred cruise line does not also do away with vaccine requirements in the near future. Do You Need To Be Vaccinated To Go on a Cruise? Disney Cruise Line. If you have a cruise booked, you should keep checking the cruise lines website or contact the line for the latest rules. 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. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? Vaccine questions, answered. Vessels are equipped with an onboard laboratory, which can administer Complete Blood Counts (CBC), Blood Chemistry, Coagulation tests, and Influenza tests. 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. But even before the COVID-19 pandemic, cruise ships didn't have the best reputation for being disease-free. 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 PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours of embarkation. Its hard to say how this will affect me, advisor Adam Martindale said. Guests who fail to agree to these terms and conditions will not be permitted to board. With eased restrictions that went into effect September 6 for most trips up to 15 nights, vaccinated passengers over the age of five no longer have to test, and unvaccinated guests can use a self-administered test within three days of departureexcept in areas where local restrictions deem otherwise (like Canada, Greece, and Australia) and on certain itineraries (like Panama Canal crossings, trans-ocean trips, and certain remote locales). Can I buy travel insurance through Norwegian Cruise Line? The agency said that after working closely with the cruise industry for two years, it believed cruise lines had access to the necessary tools to prevent and mitigate COVID-19 onboard., While cruising poses some risk of COVID-19 transmission, consumers can make their own decisions as they would in any other setting, the agency said in a statement. Additionally, some cruise lines require unvaccinated people to present a negative test taken within a few days of boarding. Get your annual flu shot and get up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. The change allowed more unvaccinated children who didnt yet qualify for a vaccine (currently those under the age of five) or had not obtained a vaccine to come onboard during the summer. 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. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Starting September 2, 2022, for voyages from United States and Canadian ports, Disney Cruise Line requires that all vaccine-eligible guests (ages 12 and older) be fully vaccinated in order to cruise, including children. Guests under the age of 12 dont have any vaccination or testing requirements. If you're not in the US and have a certificate of recovery, contact your desired cruise line before purchasing the cruise. Unvaccinated guests are required to be tested. Disney also highly recommends vaccines for younger kids. (The only"mix and match" approach to COVID-19 vaccinesin the US applies to boosters.). 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. Consequently, most cruise lines opted to make masks optional. But now cruise lines are starting to drop those vaccine and testing requirements, making it easier for cruise-goers to sail the seas. 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. All guests must be vaccinated to sail with Viking. 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 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. All passengers must also present a negative PCR test result at the pier. 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. In the specific event that you have a child turning 5 during the voyage, check in with your cruise line before buying a ticket. Royal Caribbean did not answer a question about whether its decision not to require vaccinations for passengers was a result of the states bans. However, since cruise operations have resumed, a large portion of social media comments and discussions among cruise travelers have centered around vaccinations, and COVID-19 restrictions more broadly. While much of the travel industry has returned to a pre-pandemic state, cruising has been slower to rebound from some of the tightest restrictions over the last two and a half years. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Royal Caribbean said it still needs to complete simulation cruises before getting approval for the sailings it announced Friday. 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. Guests on cruises longer than 16 nights will have to test if stopping in destinations that require tests locally (like Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia; these destinations require the tests to be supervised). The cruise line continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel. Unvaccinated guests are welcome with a medically supervised or self-test within three days of sailing. Masks are optional in all areas. These regulations are continuously evolving and if an additional test is required at a port of call we will provide advanced notice to all guests. All rights reserved. FDA, CDC expand Pfizer & Moderna bivalent vaccines to kids 6 months and up with Sandra Fryhofer, MD. The protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, including Canada, Australia, and Greece. 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. The line doesn't allow kids younger than 8 years old to sail, so young-child exemptions aren't a . 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. No, guests will not be required to take a COVID-19 antigen test before continuing on the second leg of a back-to-back sailing unless symptomatic, unvaccinated or if a specific country requires it. Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications, remedies, and virus-testing equipment as available. FDA proposes switching to annual coronavirus vaccine, mimicking flu model. 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. Unvaccinated guests are permitted to sail on most MSC voyages. All guests 18 and older must be vaccinated to sail, plus one booster shot if eligible. (Unvaccinated guests will have to undergo special testing onboard to visit Spain or Greece.) When cruise lines restarted operations in summer 2021, after being banned by the CDC from operating for 15 months due to COVID-19-related safety concerns, it was with strict CDC-imposed regulations. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. Children under 5 leaving the U.S. or under 12 leaving Europe also dont need to test. Disney Cruise Line became the first cruise line to requirepassengers as young as 5 to be vaccinated for sailings starting Jan. 13. This news is very exciting for us and our industry.. 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. Guests who have symptoms of COVID-19 whilst onboard should immediately contact the onboard medical centre for further instruction. AFAR participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase an item featured on our site. 2023 AFAR Media, ended the intense monitoring of the cruise industry, U.S. Citizens Will Need to Register to Travel to Europe in 2024, Lufthansa Unveils New Cabins With Over-the-Top First and Business SuitesHeres a First Look, Need a New U.S. Passport? Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. Check with the cruise line for protocols on pre-board testing and vaccination. 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. 2023 Cond Nast. More than 14 months after cruising restarted following a long pandemic pause, and with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) having last month ended the intense monitoring of the cruise industry that began in March 2020, major cruise lines are dropping both vaccine requirements and precruise testing of vaccinated passengers.