If your cruise line does not have a specific testing requirement, get tested as close to time of cruise departure as possible (no more than 3 days before you travel). Unvaccinated travelers will need a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of embarkation. NCL's rule change is subject to certain local guidelines, so cruises visiting Canada, Bermuda, or Greece will still require adults to be vaccinated. Other informational resources can be accessed on theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention traveler's health websiteor by calling toll-free (877) FYI-TRIP and on theWorld Health Organization website. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is dropping its COVID-19 vaccine requirement but there's a catch, This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Starting with August 8, 2022 departures, these updates include: These updates also applied to sister brand, Celebrity Cruises. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot. Beginning August 4, vaccinated passengers on Carnival company sailings that last less than six days will no longer be required to provide a negative PCR or antigen test result before boarding. Stay up to date with the latest cruise news and travel updates! They never prevented transmission or infection. Where they sail: Lindblad Expeditions is known for its adventurous trips to hard-to-reach destinations like Antarctica and the Russian Far East, partnering with National Geographic to add to the experience. Read about our approach to external linking. There have been outbreaks on some of the few cruises that have run around the world since the pandemic began. Where they sail: Holland America sails large ships all over the world, including to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Europe, and more. Are you happy with this change or did you like knowing that everyone onboard was vaccinated? Royal Caribbean has announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for guests. Itineraries including Bahamas, Bermuda, or Grand Cayman will still be required to test. Vaccinated guests, regardless of age, no longer need to test for sailing lengths of 5 nights or less. Vaccinated people get Covid so whats the difference? Are There Other Health Concerns in the Caribbean and Northern America? Royal Caribbean International is resuming cruises aimed at U.S. vacationers this summer - with a twist. However, Mr Fain doesn't think he will face any staffing shortages. The major cruise line previously . Enrollment required. What Vaccines Do I Need for the Caribbean and Northern America? What vaccines are required to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise? COVID-19 Vaccination is no longer required to sail, with a few exceptions. Thank you. Who needs the vaccine: All guests must be fully vaccinated to board a ship. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. The unconfirmed cruise ship rumors that get repeated a lot by cruise fans. But there's a catch. The health guidelines released this week align mostly with what Royal Caribbean had already implemented: Also Read: Royal Caribbean Provides Update to Guests Booked on Sailings to Russia. Unvaccinated cruisers must apply on a first-come, first-served basis. Royal Caribbean drops the vaccine requirement from select U.S. homeports on departures from September 5, 2022. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. The new policy, which was announced as the cruise line detailed summer sailings out of Florida and Texas, will allow unvaccinated passengers to board a Royal Caribbean cruise as long as they "undergo testing and follow other protocols." American Queen Voyages is known for its Mississippi River cruises as well as sailings down other U.S. rivers like the Columbia and Snake rivers, using classic paddle wheeler ships for a throwback, romantic vibe. Carnival Cruise Line. Cruises 6 nights or more: All guests aged 2 years and older, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of the sail date. Seabourn Cruise Line The Caribbean and Northern America offer a wide variety of experiences for all kinds of travellers. "If it happens on the ship you'll be treated exactly the same as you are onshore, and that will protect from this becoming a bigger outbreak.". Drop us an anchor below to share your thoughts on this recent cruise news. It has also meant raising more than $12bn from investors to keep the company going. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Guests under 18 years do not require a vaccine but will also need to have a lateral flow test pre-departure. The injections were the biggest failure in my lifetime. In many cases inoculations are recommended, but in some circumstances, they are required by the country from which your cruise departs or countries we visit. "We are continuing to adapt our protocols to align more closely with how the rest of society and other travel and leisure businesses are operating. Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. Cruising is a global industry that, before the pandemic, was . Royal Caribbean has updated its healthy sail protocols. Article. Your email address will not be published. What other safety measures are in place: In addition to vaccines, all guests may be required to undergo a saliva PCR test at embarkation as well as "frequent" testing throughout the journey. Previously, certain areas onboard were not accessible for guests who had not been fully vaccinated. The lack of sailings means Royal Caribbean, which has about a 25% share of the global cruise market, has lost more than $6.8bn since the pandemic began. 2 Aruba. Even there, the vaccine is not required unless the . Required fields are marked *. All staterooms are equipped with independent air handling units. A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Travel + Leisure. In general, Royal Caribbean said guests "are strongly recommended" to have been vaccinated before boarding, and all crew will be vaccinated. Masks will be required during the embarkation process and while riding a shore excursion bus, but will not be required on board. In addition, even for the itineraries out of Texas and Louisiana for which vaccines no longer will be required, passengers will need to show proof of vaccination if they plan to get off the ship in Grand Cayman a common stop on sailings from those states. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. For its part, Royal Caribbean has already been approved to start test sailings later this month ahead of its planned restart this summer. Unvaccinated passengers will be required to test 3-days before embarkation. Monique Giese, who tracks the shipping industry for the consultancy KPMG says it's important for the industry that cruise ships do get back to sea this summer, particularly before the good weather disappears in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. In general, Royal Caribbean said guests "are strongly recommended" to have been vaccinated before boarding, and all crew will be vaccinated. These Countries Require It for Entry. Maintaining a high percentage of fully vaccinated guests onboard all sailings, far above the general population. Guests who have certain pre-existing medical conditions, including those who are on supplementary oxygen, will not be allowed to board. Who needs the vaccine: All guests must be fully vaccinated, including a booster shot at least 14 days before boarding a ship. Who needs the vaccine: All passengers may sail regardless of vaccination status. Passports are required to travel to all regions. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. Royal Caribbean's vaccine policies out of U.S. and Caribbean ports are remarkably consistent: For cruises from Seattle, guests who are 16 years of age or older must be fully vaccinated. 0. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. At this time,only the following sailings have COVID-19 vaccination requirements: Guestsage12 and older must be fully vaccinated againstCOVID-19in order to sail: Vaccines that are fully approved or authorized for emergency use by theWorld Health Organization (with the exception of CanSino), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), will be accepted by the ports we sail to. What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air (HEPA) filters and buffets have been eliminated. Mr Fain doesn't think that getting the industry fully up and running depends on the type of documents the airline industry is calling for. From the snows of Greenland to the seasides of Jamaica, there is something for everyone. Royal Caribbean cruises launching from Nassau, Bahamas, and Bermuda this summer will require vaccinations for passengers 18 and over. Mailbag: Why can't cruise ships sail from other countries instead? For guests sailing from Australia, vaccines must be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Who needs the vaccine: Vaccinations are recommended but no longer required. This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. Who needs the vaccine: All guests are welcome regardless of vaccination status, according to the cruise line. An aerial view of Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Sea cruise ship docked in Miami, Florida on March 2. While it may not seem like much, the current health requirements are an essential step forward to bring cruising back to normal. Royal Caribbean's announcement follows other cruise lines that have already relaxed their vaccine restrictions recently. On This Page: Who needs the vaccine: Unvaccinated guests are welcome but will be required to self-test three days before cruising. Please note, guests who are not up to date on their vaccination per EMA standards will need to take a test onboard in order to get off the ship in Greece and Spain. Who needs the vaccine: All guests 12 and older need to be vaccinated before boarding. What Are the Entry Requirements in the Caribbean and Northern America? Guests under the age of 12 don't need to be vaccinated but will receive a COVID-19 test before boarding. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Shame on them for the coercion, breaking our Nuremberg treaty for experimentation and for ruining the lives of many. This means that Royal Caribbean has now also removed the need for a bracelet to indicate the vaccination status. It wasn't immediately clear what other protocols would be required for unvaccinated guests. From the snows of Greenland to the seasides of Jamaica, there is something for everyone. Be sure to have a travellers diarrhoea prevention kit with you for your trip. Where they sail: The global cruise line sails large ocean ships all around the world, from Australia to Alaska. Royal Caribbean senses financial improvements are on the horizon. Link to comment Share on other sites. Your Passport Health travel health specialist can advise you on the need for antimalarials. On Thursday, Royal Caribbean announced that it would change its vaccine policy for ships sailing from Florida to the Bahamas - including its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay - to comply. Many have expressed their disappointment with the health protocols as released by the CDC; for vaccinated guests, the cruise experience is as close to normal as weve seen in the last two years. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Florida has sued the CDC to end the agency's sail requirements, and a judge ordered . You received your final dose in your original vaccine series (or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson) no more than 9 months (270 days) ago, or a booster dose. Royal Caribbean just announced a new collection of seven-night summer cruises to the Bahamas and Mexico, but don't consider booking a spot unless you plan on being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Who needs the vaccine: All guests are now welcome. . Royal Caribbean has greatly relaxed its covid rules. ", "We've actually surveyed our guests and the vast bulk of the people that have booked our cruises have already been vaccinated, and they're volunteering it, they want it. Unless significant changes come within the next few weeks, the health protocols as released by Royal Caribbean this week will be valid through April 14, 2022. Now that they dropped them, we can do business again. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC), which is the US federal public health agency, has been working closely with the industry to restart sailings. Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. 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. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna,AstraZeneca, etc.,or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). Up until now, only unvaccinated guests under the age of 12 have been allowed on Royal Caribbean ships. What vaccines are required to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise? 5 The Bahamas. TPG values it at $1,600. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Other brands like Carnival Cruises and MSC Cruises followed suit with very similar updates to their testing protocols as Royal Caribbean. What Are the Entry Requirements in the Caribbean and Northern America. For a full list of ports and whether they require a test guests can check online. Specifically, all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, can now cruise on the following itineraries as long as they meet any testing requirements to board: What do you think of the news that Royal Caribbean drops its vaccine requirement for some cruises? Further, unvaccinated guests may embark with a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, subject to local regulations. Where they sail: Azamara sails mid-size ships all over the world, to all seven continents. Where they sail: Celebrity Cruises sails all over the world. The Miami-based brand said that effective Sept. 5, COVID-19 vaccines no longer would be required for sailings out of ports in California, Louisiana and Texas, as well as sailings from all ports in Europe. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna,AstraZeneca, etc.,or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). Royal Caribbean has updated its healthy sail protocols. Avalon will provide COVID-19 testing for travelers who need to show proof of a negative test to return home at no extra cost. We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. The Company does note that requirements may differ for guests traveling on voyages departing from or visiting destinations with specific local regulations, including but not limited to Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. These Cruise Lines Will Accept At-home Covid Tests for Unvaccinated Passengers, Norwegian Cruises to Allow Unvaccinated Passengers Starting in September, These Major Cruise Lines Just Dropped COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Shorter Sailings What to Know, More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers on Board. In many cases inocul. In many cases inocul. Starting July 2, Royal Caribbean ships will not be requiring passengers to have covid vaccines for sailings from the U.S. All crew will continue to be fully vaccinated and boosted when eligible, and tested regularly. An exception to the new policy is for passengers boarding a ship to Alaska. All Royal Caribbean guests aged 12 and over must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing. He doesn't think that there are security issues around the paper documents issued to show vaccines have been given in countries such as the US and UK. Find out more: Royal Caribbean International. It is probably considered a transpacific cruise and vaccination is required. You will need to register to receive the test. Welcome Aboard! Plus Ups are excluded. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Carnival cruise lines are easing their pandemic-era protocol by allowing unvaccinated travelers on more sailings, as well as accepting at-home COVID-19 tests for. Outside of the CDC's remit, sailings from several Caribbean islands, Greece and within UK waters are due to put the new safety protocols through a sterner examination in the next few weeks. Furthermore, besides the cruise industry itself there are a lot of suppliers that are suffering as well.". All guests aged 4 and older are required to have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country.