Paul Gauguin CruisesVaccinations are required for all passengers over age 5. 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. Windstar will also administer for each passenger a complimentary COVID-19 test prior to sailing. 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line, 20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line, 11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog. For specific country requirements, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. And the CDC also recommends testing before boarding a cruise ship. 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. These guidelines will make it a simpler process, and make cruising accessible for those who were not able to meet the protocols that we were required to follow for much of the past 14 months, Carnivals president Christine Duffy said in a statement last month. Many US-based cruise lines say they're currently following the regulations put forth by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and those are subject to change as the coronavirus pandemic does. While some cruise lines state they'll accept medical exemptions, others do not, and it also might depend on the port. Before your trip, you will need to review your cruise lines health and safety protocols. This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. Should there be an annual coronavirus booster? The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Affected 4 Different Cruise ShipsHere's Why Illness Can Spread so Fast at Sea. For other agents, the business benefits remain to be seen. 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. For Europe and Tahiti, your last COVID-19 shot is now required within the last 270 days. As is true for most travel restrictions these days, your ability to book a cruise may depend on your vaccination status. The Crystal Symphony. Overall, it's just better to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before going on a cruise, said Dr. Russo. So, if you're planning your next vacation to include traveling by cruise ship, consider staying up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines. 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. It wasn't uncommon to see reports of outbreaks ofnorovirus, a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Check out our variety of itineraries. 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. Do I need another booster? They're also easing rules for pre-boarding testing, making it easier for cruise-goers to sail the seas. Vaccines heavily reduce the chances that you'll become infected in the first place. The family-focused cruise line has been rolling out new regulations this month. If you have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider about your cruise travel plans. All Rights Reserved. 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. It seems most cruise lines are following the CDC's definition of fully vaccinated, which means two weeks have passed since your second shot of Pfizer or Moderna, or since your one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot. All vessels will have COVID-19 testing capabilities on board and results onsite. Vaccination for sailings starting and ending in the U.S. is not required. If you are allowed onboard, you will need to be tested precruise, which is required for unvaccinated children as well. Atlas Ocean Voyages Vaccine required? Related: Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? Starting Sept. 6, vaccinated guests sailing on voyages of less than 16 days will no longer have to test . The CDC also has detailed recommendations for travel during the pandemic, both for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers as well as for cruise travel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For additional information, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. A line-by-line guide. When Will the Brightline to Orlando Open? Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test in order to embark on the second leg of a back-to-back sailing? Are children allowed to sail on your ships if they are not vaccinated? 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. 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. All rights reserved. Before boarding, you may need to present a vaccine waiver, wear a mask, or provide a negative test. No precruise testing is required for vaccinated guests on sailings of five nights or less. Before you book, contact the cruise line to see if it'll accept an exemption and also look into the local laws of where you'll be visiting if and when you get off the ship for an excursion. You also might need to purchase travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage if you have an unvaccinated guest in your party and you're departing from a Florida or Texas port. Disney Cruise LineBeginning 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. This is the news weve been waiting for, said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners. But ever since theCOVID-19 pandemicbegan, it's understandable to wonder whether you can go on a cruise if you're not vaccinated. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. Additionally, starting this week, vaccinated passengers no longer need to test before embarking. Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date.. Disney Cruise Line became the first cruise line to requirepassengers as young as 5 to be vaccinated for sailings starting Jan. 13. Inspired Diagnostics is a subsidiary of Inspire Health Alliance, a leader in best-in-class health services. How do I know if there are any travel restrictions that could impact my cruise? How Safe Is It to Travel With Unvaccinated Children? But as noted above, some lines make exceptions to vaccination rules for young children. Norwegian still strongly recommends that all guests be up to date on their vaccination status and test at their convenience before travel. Check the U.S. State Departments detailed COVID-19 travel information and country-specific advisories, which are updated regularly. Other cruise lines are singing the same tune. Previously, the number was 95 percent for passengers. Windstar CruisesAll passengers must be fully vaccinated. 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. Respiratory illnesses like the flu, and COVID-19 and the common cold. Lindblad Expeditions is among the shrinking number of cruise lines that continue to require vaccination and testing. In a statement, the cruise lines president and CEO, Michael Bayley, thanked elected officials including Gov. A cruise can be a fun way to visit certain areas of the world at a slower pace. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. Effective for sailings 10/4/22 and beyond, all guests regardless of vaccination status are able to sail and with no testing requirements. For guests departing outside of the US who are cruising with Royal Caribbean, they may present a certificate of recovery. Presidents gain too much power when emergencies like covid hit, The Checkup With Dr. Wen: Three important studies shed light on long covid, We are not overcounting covid deaths in the United States, China, speeding through phases of covid, gets on with living with virus, FDA advisers favor retiring original covid shot and using newer version. 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. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. We encourage all guests to file a claim with their travel insurance carrier for reimbursement inquiries. 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). Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages except for those in Australia or some that are 16 nights or longer. Cruisers have been patiently waiting and there is pent-up demand. This website uses cookies. This article was originally published in May 2022; it was most recently updated on August 17, 2022, with current information. Cruise lines have their own rules; countries have their own rules. Lets leave the covid origin mystery to scientists, Covid, flu, RSV declining in hospitals as tripledemic threat fades. The big question is, what cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests to sail? Present one of the following: Negative COVID-19 antigen test within 24 hours of the embarkation date. 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. (Note: This information is accurate as of February 7, 2023. In order to keep our guests as safe as possible, we highly recommend taking our company organized shore excursions as a more controlled environment for you to enjoy your time in each of the destinations. Kashif J. Piracha, MD, FACP, FASN, FNKF, is a practicing physician at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Mask Policy Masks on board are recommended but not required indoors or outdoors. Once booked and on board, passengers should take the appropriate precautions, but they should also remember to have funit is a vacation!. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, should expect to be tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding a cruise ship. Wash your hands frequently. 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. Norwegian Cruise Line, which has not been approved to restart, has said it will initially require everyone on board to be vaccinated. This news is very exciting for us and our industry.. Jessica is a writer on the Wellness team with a focus on health news. As with so many cruises around the world, requirements will vary by itinerary, but new policies that went into effect earlier this month eliminated vaccination requirements for trips departing the U.S., as long as they dont stop in Bermuda or Canada. Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations? As to what percentage of his clients he thinks are unvaccinated and will be affected by this announcement, he estimates no higher than around 10%. Amazing buffets, cool amenities, and plenty of travelwhat's not to love? - 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. "You really should get vaccinated," added Dr. Russo. 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. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. We have improved our onboard medical capabilities with additional staffing directly related to sailing capacity, new and upgraded equipment and enhanced facilities. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Get your annual flu shot and get up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. RELATED: NCLH Drops COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements, Welcomes Everyone to Sail. Check with the cruise line for protocols on pre-board testing and vaccination. In the event you or any member of your traveling party tests positive for COVID-19 in the 10 days before your cruise departs, or at the boarding terminal, you and your traveling p. Vaccinated and unvaccinated. 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. Disney also highly recommends vaccines for younger kids. These rules apply to cruises of under 16 nights. Guests who fail to agree to these terms and conditions will not be permitted to board. Unvaccinated passengers will need to test via a rapid or lab-based PCR or nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. On August 8, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, announced it was also loosening vaccine requirements. Crystal Cruises. Get tested again after cruise travel. Spice up your small talk with the latest tech news, products and reviews. Small ship company Windstar Cruises said Monday it also will require passengers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, The Miami Herald reported. What testing and treatment capabilities are there onboard? All guests must be vaccinated to sail with Viking. (The only"mix and match" approach to COVID-19 vaccinesin the US applies to boosters.). All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. Read our. In the specific event that you have a child turning 5 during the voyage, check in with your cruise line before buying a ticket. 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. There are still some cruise lines that have not yet indicated they will relax their COVID protocols, though their numbers are dwindling. We strongly recommend that fully vaccinated guests . The protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, including Canada, Australia, and Greece. Booked guests will be provided full details specific to their port of departure before sailing, Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Lyan Sierra-Caro said in an email. Related: What happens if someone tests positive for COVID-19 on your cruise. 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. International travel requirements and restrictions continue to evolve. NAAT test (i.e., PCR) within 48 hours of embarkation date. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters. Vaccinations are optional. 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. Monitor yourself for symptoms after the trip, and isolate yourself if you have a positive test or develop symptoms. Many popular cruise lines have eliminated the vaccine and pre-embarkation test as the industry is beginning to shift away from mandatory vaccines and testing. The first is scheduled to depart Miami on July 2, with more joining the fleet through Aug. 23. 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. To make sure the experience remains safe only vaccinated adults will. The CDC has said vaccinated cruise passengers can remove their masks outdoors unless theyre in a crowd. Guests can rest assured that their health and safety are our top priority and measures will be communicated in a timely manner ahead of our return to sailing., Latest on the cruise comeback: Rogue wave incident | Overboard passenger saved | Covid hits Sydney cruise | Carnival fining unruly passengers | Unvaccinated passengers welcomed | Cheap cruises | No more CDC stats | Record bookings | Rape lawsuit | Carnival fire | Passenger bill of rights | CDC drops cruise warnings | Passenger overboard | Crystal ships seized. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. Royal Caribbean just announced a flood of summer cruises. While . 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. Cond Nast Traveler may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. 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. Disney Cruise Line. However, we encourage all guests to follow the vaccination and testing guidance outlined above. Any information published by Cond Nast Traveler is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Unvaccinated passengers are welcome to sail on all cruises departing from Europe and the U.S. Vaccination continues to be required on voyages to or from Australia, New Zealand, and the Galapagos Islands. Travel news, guides and tips for anyone looking to get away. 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. Requirements may differ for guests traveling on voyages departing from or visiting destinations with specific local regulations, such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. 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? Since then, cruise lines around the world have been cautiously dropping their pre-embarkation requirements. How long will the vaccine requirement be in place for cruise passengers? 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. 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. 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. And as in the noncruise world, the changes in regulations are happening quickly and travelers will need to stay updated on the latest. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding. Booster shots are not required. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications and remedies. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Carnival Cruise Line Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages except. No, we do not currently have any restrictions or limitations for guests with pre-existing health conditions. Putting it all together: If your cruise line is even accepting medical exemptions around a COVID-19 vaccine, presenting valid proof of the exemption is critical. The requirement was initially going to last until Oct. 31. NOTE: Carnival Spirit - April 16, 2023, & September 19, 2023: These sailings do not require proof of vaccination, vaccine exemption or testing. Celebritys Healthy at Sea page makes it easy to track the specific requirements based on your cruises itinerary. In you are an unvaccinated adult, some cruise lines will now let you sail, others will not. 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. Those eligible for boosters are also required to have received them. 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. The changes began shortly. Please keep in mind that this is largely dependent on the local health authorities and the evolving regulations, which are subject to change. 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. Starting with departures from October 8, 2022, guests who are vaccinated will no longer have to take a pre-boarding antigen test 48 hours before departure, if the itinerary starts in South America, the Caribbean, the United Arab Emirates, and the Mediterranean (with the exception of Greece). As delivering the best experience for our guests is always a top priority, after working closely with our destination partners, we anticipate that guests will be free to explore certain ports of call on their own. CDC Shares New Real-World Data on Updated Shots. Will I have to sign a COVID-19 waiver to board a ship? Norwegian Cruise Line will require all passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before boarding at least through the end of the . Additionally, some cruise lines require unvaccinated people to present a negative test taken within a few days of boarding. Please refer to. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidance for cruise ships will become optional this . (If testing is required it can typically be either a PCR test or tele-health-monitored antigen test, paid for by the passenger. The US doesn't issue certificates of recovery at this time, so telling the cruise line you already had COVID-19 won't get you a vaccine exemption. 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? Before you book -- and especially if you're looking at cruises months ahead -- it's important to consider the spread of COVID-19 in countries or ports where your ship will stop, and that's regardless of your vaccination status. Can You Get Omicron and Delta COVID-19 Variants at the Same Time? A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. Shes been on 10 cruises and counting, and her favorite onboard activities include trying out the water slides, spending time in the spas thermal suite, eating lots of food, and attending the love & marriage show. 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. Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be charged to the guests' account. For full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean, and select remote voyages, testing and vaccines are still required. Are children required to have a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? Royal Caribbean will require vaccinations for some. Check with Seabourn for protocols on your specific sailing. Starting in September, a larger number of unvaccinated travelers will be allowed onboard cruise ships both big and small on select routes but will be required to be tested for COVID first. (Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.) Should You Test for COVID Before Your Omicron Booster? Its hard to say how this will affect me, advisor Adam Martindale said. The cruise line continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel. 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. 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. For departures through 2022, proof of vaccination or certificate of recent recovery is no longer required, though testing protocols will still be in place. A couple of the factors in that unique combination are crowded spaces and tight quarters. Detours with locals. Ad Choices. 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 required to be tested. 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. Will all guests be required to be vaccinated prior to the cruise? 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.