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In addition to requiring our crew to be up-to-date with all their vaccinations, we will continue to evolve our already robust science-backed program to broaden our cleaning, sanitation and air filtration technologies across our fleet. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) is officially the first company to welcome unvaccinated travelers onboard its cruise brands Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises without any capacity limits, and the industry response is one largely of praise. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the cruise line said in a news release. Our award-winning onboard medical centers are fully equipped with testing and treatment capabilities if needed. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, should expect to be tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding a cruise ship. Cruises that are 16 nights or longer may have additional requirements based on the itinerary. COVID-19 requirements may differ in destinations that have specific mandates, such as Canada, Greece and Bermuda. All passengers must also present a negative PCR test result at the pier. Vaccine and pretrip testing requirements can be confusing, especially if you are cruising internationally. One Cruise Planners franchise owner in San Diego, Calif. has yet to record an immediate boost in bookings. Despite the law, two of the biggest cruise lines, Carnival and Norwegian have decided to impose proof-of-vaccination requirements, according to information published on their websites.. Carnival Cruise Line Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages except. This article was originally published in May 2022; it was most recently updated on August 17, 2022, with current information. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations that continue to require vaccinations. Consequently, most cruise lines opted to make masks optional. Do bivalent boosters work against XBB.1.5? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has kept cruise lines from U.S. sailings since March 2020, has recommended that passengers, crew and port workers be vaccinated. But now cruise lines are starting to drop those vaccine and testing requirements, making it easier for cruise-goers to sail the seas. Our guests have been excited to return to cruising, and these changes will make it easier for more guests to explore the world in a safe and enjoyable environment, said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, in announcing that the cruise line would be dropping its vaccine requirements as of September 6, 2022. Regent Seven Seas CruisesAs with sister lines Norwegian and Oceania, vaccinated guests age 12 are not required to have any precruise COVID-19 testing or other protocols. The new protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, such as Canada, Australia, and Greece. 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? Our crew will continue to maintain our stringent hygiene protocols based upon the most up-to-date guidelines from the European Healthy Gateways, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Greek health authorities.. For full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean, and select remote voyages, testing and vaccines are still required. 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. First Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and MSC Cruises all announced they would eliminate precruise testing requirements for vaccinated guests on cruises of six nights or less, while hinting that there would be additional loosening of requirements once they got the necessary approvals from the governments of countries the ships visit. (If testing is required it can typically be either a PCR test or tele-health-monitored antigen test, paid for by the passenger. Chances are if you're unvaccinated, you'll need to book a specific tour with the cruise line, such as Carnival's "bubble tour" for unvaccinated guests, which is mostly families with children who are too young to be vaccinated. Check your airline's protocols around testing, mask-wearing, vaccination, or quarantining if you're flying before or after the cruise. Cruise ships have been under the CDC's Conditional Sail Order since October 2020. 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. Precruise testing is required for all guests. Vaccination for sailings starting and ending in the U.S. is not required. Unvaccinated guests will only need to submit a self-administered test taken within three days of sailing. To find out more, please. Vaccinated and unvaccinated. If a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while on board, what costs are covered? Fee is also hopeful that the remainder of cruise lines will follow suit soon. Vaccines must be approved for use by the country they are sailing from. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. If a guest follows health and safety protocols and tests positive during their cruise, the Cruise Line will help coordinate necessary onboard COVID-19-related medical consultation, standard/common prescription drugs, and required land-based quarantine. This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. Requirements may differ for guests traveling on voyages departing from or visiting destinations with specific local regulations, such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. Cruisers have been patiently waiting and there is pent-up demand. Should there be an annual coronavirus booster? All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. In addition, guests will be required to agree to abide by all of the cruise line's health and safety protocols and acknowledge the risks associated with COVID-19 during their voyage and shoreside experiences. Starting Sept. 3, 2022, unvaccinated passengers ages 12 and older (or guests who cannot or decline to present proof of vaccination), need to provide a medically administrated negative PCR or antigen COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of boarding. Can You Get Omicron and Delta COVID-19 Variants at the Same Time? The line doesn't allow kids younger than 8 years old to sail, so young-child exemptions aren't a . Other cruise lines are singing the same tune. Earlier this month, Oceania dropped testing requirements for vaccinated passengers; unvaccinated guests need to show proof of a negative antigen or PCR test taken within 72 hours. There are still some cruise lines that have not yet indicated they will relax their COVID protocols, though their numbers are dwindling. If you're an adult in the US, the answer is probably not, unless you're one of the few people with a medical or religious exemption (and whether you'll be offered an exemption depends on the cruise line). Retesting three to five days after returning, and in particular, if symptoms have developed, is also advised, says Dr. Jasmin Valentin of Sameday Health. "You really should get vaccinated," added Dr. Russo. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications and remedies. The information in this story is accurate as of press time. Can I buy travel insurance through Norwegian Cruise Line? The reasons for the changes are clear: 1) the CDC is no longer requiring specific COVID protocols for cruising; 2) cruise lines want more business. 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. At long last, cruise lines are finally starting to drop their vaccine mandates and allow all passengers inoculated or not to sail on their ships. Norwegian still strongly recommends that all guests be up to date on their vaccination status and test at their convenience before travel. With the relaxation of travel requirements around the world, were thrilled to welcome all guests back on our ships to cruise freely to the places theyve been dreaming of regardless of vaccination status and with no testing requirements. Check with Cunard for information on your specific sailing. Carnival Cruise Line: For cruises that are 15 days or less, the cruise line does not require vaccination and pre-board testing.Still, the cruise line encourages guests 5 and up to do both. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. 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). Local regulations may have booster requirements to enter certain countries make sure to check Travel Requirements by Country to understand country specific requirements. Before CNET, she worked in local journalism covering public health issues, business and music. And if you're not vaccinated, it's important to check the guidelines for your cruise line. 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. Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter. Check with the cruise line for protocols on pre-board testing and vaccination. 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. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. COVID-19 vaccine exemptions at Carnival's 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. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. The world has been reopening quickly and once more, we are pleased to welcome all travelers, of all ages, to safely explore the world with comfort and ease aboard the small, luxurious ships of Oceania Cruises.. So, if you're planning your next vacation to include traveling by cruise ship, consider staying up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines. Will any countries visited during the cruise require additional testing to enter the country? 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. Check out our variety of itineraries. FDA Panel Endorses Updated COVID Shots for All, Regardless of Vaccination Status, When To Get Boosted After Having a COVID-19 Breakthrough Infection, How Effective Are the Bivalent Boosters? Vaccines are still required for cruises in the Bahamas and Caribbean; precruise testing is not required for vaccinated guests on cruises of less than six nights. Respiratory illnesses like the flu, and COVID-19 and the common cold. Medical centers will be equipped to test for COVID-19 onboard and if a positive case is identified, contact tracing for that individual will begin immediately and occur at the same time as treatment. Royal Caribbean Reported a COVID-19 Outbreak on the World's Biggest Cruise Ship, A US Cruise Ship Had a COVID Outbreak Even Though Full Vaccination Was RequiredHere's What You Should Know, CDC Stops Reporting COVID-19 Cases on Cruise ShipsHere's How You Can Still Stay Safe. If you're vaccinated, that decreases your chances of having a positive test and having to skip your trip at the last minute. A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Earlier this month, the Miami-based cruise line dropped vaccination requirements for passengersunless their cruise itinerary stops at ports in destinations that require the inoculation (Canada, Australia, and New Zealand for those 12 and older; Galapagos for those three and older). Are children allowed to sail on your ships if they are not vaccinated? 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). Unable to cruise. 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 (Pfizer's vaccine was authorized for kids ages 5 to 11 at the beginning of November). Bottom line: If you've 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. Destination specific requirements will still need to be met. We strongly recommend that fully vaccinated guests . Those eligible for boosters are also required to have received them. All onboard venues and activities will be available unless staffing or other challenges onboard prevent normal operations. Effective for sailings 10/4/22 and beyond, all guests regardless of vaccination status are able to sail and with no testing requirements. Temperature checks occur daily. And other cruise brands, such as Carnival Cruise Line, currently make way for select exemptions, but they have yet to permit them across the board. The Miami-based operator will not require passengers to be vaccinated. They included vaccination requirements for anyone age 12 and up (some companies such as Disney Cruise Line later went with a 5 and up requirement as vaccinations became available for younger children), precruise testing requirements, mandatory masking in public areas, social distancing, and other measures the CDC said would help contain the spread of COVID-19 on cruise ships. Under pandemic-era rules for restarting cruising, ships need to take volunteers on a test cruise to show they can mitigate the risks of covid-19. Related: What happens if someone tests positive for COVID-19 on your cruise. Yes. Spice up your small talk with the latest tech news, products and reviews. Lets get cruising! Last week, the CDC announced new guidelines that won't require cruise lines to ask for proof of a COVID-19 vaccination from passengers. In order to facilitate pre-cruise testing requirements, Norwegian has partnered with Inspired Diagnostics lab to ensure that guests have access to a quick, efficient and easy way to access the required FDA-approved proctored in-home antigen test prior to embarkation from the comfort of their own home. These rules apply to cruises of under 16 nights. Disney also highly recommends vaccines for younger kids. Check the U.S. State Departments detailed COVID-19 travel information and country-specific advisories, which are updated regularly. Yes, we welcome all guests to sail with us, regardless of vaccination status and age, and with no testing or masking requirements. A cruise can be a fun way to visit certain areas of the world at a slower pace. Check with Carnival for specific cruise requirements. The relaxation of protocols, coupled with continued easing of travel restrictions and the reopening to cruise in more ports around the globe are meaningfully positive for our business as it reduces friction, expands the addressable cruise market, brings variety to itineraries and provides additional catalysts on the road to recovery.. All guests must be vaccinated to sail with Viking. Norwegian Cruise Line doesn't allow children under the age of 5 to cruise, for example, because they can't get vaccinated yet. Outbreak updates for international cruise ships. While other cruise lines may not officially require vaccinations for kids that young yet, they may in the future. Royal CaribbeanAll passengers are welcome regardless of vaccine status as of September 5, on select routes such as cruises from Los Angeles, Galveston (though those age 12 and up need to be vaccinated to go ashore in Grand Cayman), and New Orleans (same rule with Grand Cayman), and in most destinations in Europe. Carnival Cruise Line was very upfront about its motivations in announcing its decision to let anyone, vaccinated or not, to come onboard most of its sailings. Precruise testing is required for unvaccinated passengers. That's because cruise ships, with their tight quarters, buffet-style living and international travel, can be a breeding ground for the coronavirus. 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. - 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. (Unvaccinated guests will have to undergo special testing onboard to visit Spain or Greece.) 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.. Completed health questionnaire (prior to embarkation); Standard travel documents, including passport or any visas as required. Present one of the following: Negative COVID-19 antigen test within 24 hours of the embarkation date. And you may have to be vaccinated or not. That means receiving a final primary dose and an updated booster shot, which became available for people older than 12 on September 2, 2022. 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. Our long-awaited revisions to our testing and vaccination requirements bring us closer in line with the rest of society, which has learned to adapt and live with COVID-19, and makes it simpler and easier for our loyal guests to cruise on our three best-in-class brands, said Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of NCLH. 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. However, we encourage all guests to follow the vaccination and testing guidance outlined above. Unvaccinated people are now over 10 times more likely to get hospitalized with COVID-19 andover 10 times more likely to die from the diseasethan fully vaccinated people, according to a September CDC report. In addition to a broad set of coverage benefits, our plans cover medical expenses for illnesses, including COVID-19.