Some may also require pre-board testing for unvaccinated people. Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends updating people on their COVID-19 vaccines before going on a cruise. If you have received one of these shots, then you should be good to go. Children age 12 to 15 must have received two initial doses of the vaccination. 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. Compare and find the best cruise deals. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. Carnival Splendor setting sail on October 1, Carnival Luminosas first sailing on November 6, approximately 100 cases were reported onboard, Worlds Largest Cruise Ship Oversold for Spring Break, Carnival Cruise Ship Will Offer Transatlantic Voyage After Dry Dock, Photos Reveal Progress at Carnival Cruise Lines New Port. Treat those flights as domestic travel. The guidance also makes it clear that 90% is what a high proportion of travelers means. You May Like: How Big Are The Disney Cruise Ships. Cruise lines have continued to modify their vaccination and testing policies surrounding COVID-19. There is no requirement for passengers to mask on board, but 100% of the crew is masked. Every other cruise line has a tough decision to make. Many other cruise line operators and brands made similar protocol changes, including Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. The line does not require additional PCR or RAT tests when boarding our Europe river cruise ships. You May Like: Where To Find The Best Cruise Deals. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. For now, none of the cruise lines that have a vaccine requirement have announced any plans to rescind that rule in the future. MSC also requires unvaccinated children between 2 and 5 to wear a mask when indoors. Effective April 15, all guests five and older must be vaccinated to sail on Celebrity from the United States. 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. 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. No precruise testing is required for vaccinated guests on sailings of five nights or less. Click on your favorite cruise line below to find out. Costa Cruises, Azamara, and Silversea Cruises have also dropped their vaccination policies with some exceptions. All Contents Copyright 2022 Cruise Radio, Inc. | Website Designed by Insider Perks, Inc. Get the real facts delivered straight to your inbox, with trustworthy cruise related news. Disney said that changes to the policies are subject to local rules. Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return.. 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. Still, there are exceptions. 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. These included recommendations that ships continue to require pre-cruise testing and for passengers to be vaccinated. 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. This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. Most major cruise lines still require passengers to be fully vaccinated, including having the relevant booster jabs. It's important to note that while some cruise lines have relaxed their mask policies, they still require travelers to follow other safety protocols. Booked guests can get up-to-date information using the Cruise Personalizer tool. Be Safe protocols for Australia sailings on November 17, 2022, reintroducing mandatory mask wearing. All guests aged 4 and older are required to have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding. 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. The governor is dictatorially imposing his will on Florida businesses trying to protect their customers, including cruise lines on whom our agriculture industry depends for millions in food sales, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a statement to NBC News. If Cruises Sail With Vaccinated & Unvaccinated Passengers, Is Everything Back to Normal? Cruise lines have their own rules countries have their own rules. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! Have no fear, we provide all the relevant links and information you need for all of the major cruise lines below. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. The good news is that given the vaccines, a milder variant, and prior cases, the amount of serious illness seems lower. 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. 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. On voyages that visit Greece or Italy, they are required on the ship when indoors. And, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to evolve, vaccination requirements shift as well. While some cruise lines have relaxed their mask policies, others may still require them. Norwegian, which mandates 100% of guests and crew be vaccinated to sail and did not previously require masks be worn, will now mandate face coverings for sailings through Dec. 19, according to the . Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. However, your cruise line will have more details about which specific shots they accept. Because the policy reads for the time being it is likely a temporary measure and will be redacted when possible. Heres a quick breakdown of vaccination and testing policies as of December 2022 at several major cruise lines: These cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests but still have some form of testing requirement in place for those who elected to pass on the vaccine. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. No. 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. Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot. Unvaccinated travelers may embark with a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken within three days prior to embarkation. Those requirements would not be necessary on the same cruise without a stop in Colombia. AzamaraPassengers no longer need to take pre-travel Covid tests except where required by local restrictions. Other sources include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travelers Health site that maintains up-to-date information on current health situations around the world, general healthy travel tips and help in finding a travel health clinic. As of last week, masks arent required for vaccinated guests on Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean. This article contains links which are ads and if you click on a link and buy a product we will earn revenue. MSC Cruises As of September 1, 2022, MSC Cruises no longer requires U.S. citizens to be vaccinated. All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. 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. Generally, proof of inoculation must include your name, the type of vaccine you received and the dates on which you received all required doses. Again, your cruise company will have the details you need based on your specific itinerary. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy. 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. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, should expect to be tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding a cruise ship. 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. The cruise industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is some good news on the horizon. Keep in mind that each cruise line determines its own health and wellness protocols. Disney Cruise Line, which recently welcomed a new ship to its fleet, requires unvaccinated children to wear their masks when using shared onboard youth centers, and also asks all travelers to wear a mask at all times when at the cruise terminal. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks may be required in public areas on the ship . Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. Go to Boards. In other words, this is not something you want to put off until the last minute. A precruise test is no longer required on the river ships. MSC is a popular choice for passengers looking for relatively affordable fares. Antibody tests are not accepted. There are, of course, also some passengers who have not sailed because they are not vaccinated or dont care to share their vaccination status with a cruise line. Using the searchable directory at the International Society of Travel Medicinecan connect you with a provider based on your location or specific needs.When you book an appointment with a travel medicine clinic, theyll ask you for your specific itinerary and vaccination history, and can usually provide any necessary vaccines on-site. However, some cruise lines have recently revoked the obligation to wear masks on certain ships this summer. Carnival no longer requires masks on its ships. 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. 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. Unvaccinated Guests: Are not permitted aboard. The cruise line said it will accept an antigen, PCR, or Nucleic Acid Amplification Test test. Passengers are encouraged to wear them . What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air filters and buffets have been eliminated. 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/. Note: There may be additional requirements if you are traveling internationally, and the rules can changesometimes overnight. Editors note: This post has been updated with new information. Here, we go over the major cruise lines in the U.S. and tell you which ones are currently requiring face coverings onboard. 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. For instance, Princess Cruises maintains a list of Enhanced Guidelines Voyages, and its CruiseHeath look-up tool is available to anyone. Celestyal Cruises has partnered with Bioiatriki which provides tests for just 10 per person at locations across Athens and Thessaloniki. These links are signposted with an asterisk. Also, fully vaccinated passengers now no longer need to provide a negative COVID-19 test prior to setting sail on many voyages. 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. As of November 17, 2022, Princess Cruise Lines has also reinstituted mandatory masks onboard for Australia and New Zealand sailings, stating that masking requirements may change at any time, so we ask for flexibility from our guests., Similarly, Royal Caribbean International also states that all guests should wear a mask while travelling through the terminal and in public indoor spaces or crowded outdoor spaces onboard and that protocols are subject to change.. 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. As the major cruise lines prepare to relaunch from U.S. ports this summer, they have not yet been as frank with unvaccinated passengers as they need to be about how their cruise experience will stack up next to that of their vaccinated cruise mates. The cruise line currently requires unvaccinated guests to have a vaccine exemption before they sail. Details: Holland Americas latest mask policy. No. CDC recommends all eligible travelers be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccines. 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. As well, no vaccine will be required if sailing from Europe. When the first cruises allowing Americans restarted in spring 2021, all major lines were sailing with at least 90% of passengers vaccinated against COVID-19. 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.. Its almost unheard of for a vaccinated person to get seriously ill with Covid-19, she said in an email. MSC is a popular choice for passengers looking for relatively affordable fares. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks are not required. Azamara is one of the cruise lines that no longer requires passengers to wear masks on their ships, although they still recommend them. According to Royal Caribbeans website, the cruise line is working with local governments in the Eastern Caribbean to align on vaccination requirements for more itineraries.. The changes are subject to local restrictions, such as those in Bermuda, Canada and Greece, and dont include voyages in Australia or trips that are 16 or more nights. While the pandemic has made most of us equate vaccine with Covid-19, depending on where you travel, protecting your health by getting or boosting vaccinations for things hepatitis, yellow fever and other diseases may be required or recommended. Cruises from Australia or those 16 nights or longer do still require a passenger be vaccinated to sail. Booster jabs are required where eligible and are considered effective immediately. This isnt an easy decision, because its partially about peoples health and partially about keeping your business healthy. What is the Average Cost of a 7-Day Cruise? Don't get me wrong, I totally support the wearing of masks in the general public because we don't know who is and is not vaccinated. If you want to ensure you have a worry-free voyage, we strongly suggest reading these cruise health policies carefully. 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. READ NEXT: Bimini Cruise Port: Everything You Need To Know. Cruise vacations are a great way to explore the world and have a fun and relaxing time. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks are not required. Carnival Cruise Line will no longer require pre-cruise testing for vaccinated guests on voyages that are five nights or fewer beginning Aug. 4, the cruise line said Friday. Vaccinated passengers dont need to test unless visiting Canada, Bermuda, Greece or Australia and on trips of 16 nights or longer. Hi, this may be of interest to you: 8 Cruise Lines Drop Their Face Mask Requirements. But now, little more than a year later, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has withdrawn its opt-in guidance for cruise lines, and many are now allowing more unvaccinated passengers to sail. Kids two to five years old will still be required to wear masks in the kids club spaces and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Azamara is one of the cruise lines that no longer requires passengers to wear masks on their ships, although they still recommend them. For all sailings 6 nights or longer, vaccinated guests must present a digital or physical copy of a supervised and negative COVID-19 test result from a test taken within 3 days prior to sailing. Not sure where to go? On sailings departing Singapore, masks are mandatory on the ship when indoors. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. 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. Disney Cruise Lines joins Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Holland America Line, which no longer require vaccinations on most sailings. Cruise vaccination requirements will vary by cruise line, where you embark from and which ports of call you choose. 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. The chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high because the virus spreads easily between people in close quarters aboard ships. American Queen VoyagesOn this lines river, ocean, Great Lakes and expedition ships, all passengers are required to be vaccinated. 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. 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. In fact, apart from vaccines and testing, the onboard experience has returned to exactly what it was before the pandemic. 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. Princess Cruises will remove vaccination requirements on Sept. 6 for most voyages that are less than 16 days. For Celebrity, that means cruises leaving from Los Angeles, the U.K. and Europe but not Ireland. All guests on all sailings through the end of 2022 with Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection are required to be fully vaccinated. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. 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.. Note: There may be additional requirements if you are traveling internationally, and the rules can changesometimes overnight. Note: In order to be considered fully vaccinated, passengers must have received their final shot at least 15 days prior to embarkation. 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. Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. In addition, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian sail to a lot more ports than Virgin Voyages does, and cruise ships must also comply with local rules (and some destinations require vaccinations for anyone ages 12 and over even if they dont get off the ship. This isnt an easy decision, because its partially about peoples health and partially about keeping your business healthy. In the fall of 2022, many popular cruise lines dropped the requirement for passengers to be up-to-date on Covid-19 vaccinations. Traveler Alert: Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip! Carnival Cruise LineOnly passengers on sailings to Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia, plus cruises of 16 nights or more, need to be fully vaccinated. For general information on testing, please refer to our article on cruise testing requirements. Costa Cruises will also allow unvaccinated travelers to board sailings 14 nights or shorter in the Caribbean and Mediterranean beginning Oct. 8. Yes. Carnival Cruise Line. 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. 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. 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. What was true for your friend who took a Viking cruise in fall 2022 may not apply to the cruise you booked for a 2023 voyage on Carnival. As the health situation evolves, cruise lines are always adjusting their health and safety policies including whether guests need to wear masks onboard. For now, none of the cruise lines that have a vaccine requirement have announced any plans to rescind that rule in the future. phil and kay robertson house address,