In addition to a broad set of coverage benefits, our plans cover medical expenses for illnesses, including COVID-19. For full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean, and select remote voyages, testing and vaccines are still required. Additional terms and conditions may apply, see our COVID- 19 Policies and Procedures and your Cruise Ticket Contract for details. 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. All passengers age 12 and up, who completed their primary vaccine series more than five months ago, are required to be boosted. If a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while on board, what costs are covered? All passengers must be vaccinated. Fee is also hopeful that the remainder of cruise lines will follow suit soon. On February 18, Crystal Cruises said it would require guests to receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before a cruise. Windstar will also administer for each passenger a complimentary COVID-19 test prior to sailing. 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. FDA proposes switching to annual coronavirus vaccine, mimicking flu model. 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. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding. What if I test positive for COVID-19 before my cruise? Disney also highly recommends vaccines for younger kids. 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. If you have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider about your cruise travel plans. Hubs, The Best Time to View D.C.s Cherry Blossoms This Year Is Sooner Than You Might Think, Low-Cost Carrier Norse Atlantic Adds London Routes From 4 U.S. Cities, Damon Dominique Believes Youre Already a Global Citizen, Stay Here Next: The Muir Hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Stay Here Next: The Alpina Gstaad in Switzerland. Vaccine questions, answered. Unvaccinated children five to 11 years old will no longer need the vaccine to sail. Carnival Cruise Line is joining Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line in dropping its COVID-19 vaccine requirement.. Vessels are equipped with an onboard laboratory, which can administer Complete Blood Counts (CBC), Blood Chemistry, Coagulation tests, and Influenza tests. All passengers must also present a negative PCR test result at the pier. SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (August 12, 2022) - Princess Cruises today announced updated COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, removing the vaccine requirement for most voyages of less than 16 days so that anyone can cruise, and adjusting pre-travel testing requirements to make it less complicated. Vaccination will be critical in the safe resumption of cruising . 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. 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. For specific country requirements, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. Guests can expect to provide the following: We are closely monitoring the evolving global public health environment and to the extent any itineraries are affected, we will notify impacted guests in a timely fashion and update our booking requirements. Passengers age 4 and under do not require a vaccination. 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. 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. Here are some of the latest cruise lines that are pulling back on pandemic measures. Its hard to say how this will affect me, advisor Adam Martindale said. 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. 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. Amazing buffets, cool amenities, and plenty of travelwhat's not to love? Guests over the age of six will need to show a negative rapid antigen test within 48 hours, or a negative PCR test within 72 hours. These requirements will vary by country and is the responsibility of the guest and supersede our policy. Inspired Diagnostics is a subsidiary of Inspire Health Alliance, a leader in best-in-class health services. For guests departing outside of the US who are cruising with Royal Caribbean, they may present a certificate of recovery. This news is very exciting for us and our industry.. (If testing is required it can typically be either a PCR test or tele-health-monitored antigen test, paid for by the passenger. Some ships can hold more than 5,400 passengers at two to a room. So far, the CDC has approved nine ships for test cruises, operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. Still, there are exceptions. 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 agency provided the cruise lines with greater leeway to set and monitor their own policies. Do bivalent boosters work against XBB.1.5? For Europe and Tahiti, your last COVID-19 shot is now required within the last 270 days. All onboard venues and activities will be available unless staffing or other challenges onboard prevent normal operations. 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. People . 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. And if you're not vaccinated, it's important to check the guidelines for your cruise line. 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. Can I buy travel insurance through Norwegian Cruise Line? 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. We encourage all guests to file a claim with their travel insurance carrier for reimbursement inquiries. All rights reserved. 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. The new protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, such as Canada, Australia, and Greece. Outbreak updates for international cruise ships. That's hard to say because it depends on the state of the pandemic at any given time. To board Carnival ships, unvaccinated guests need to show a negative PCR or an antigen test within three days of boarding (self-tests are now accepted by Carnival for boarding purposes). CDC also continues to recommend mask wearing in indoor travel settings.. All departures from the U.S. that are nine nights or less dont require any testing, unless they stop in Canada or Bermuda. No, we do not currently have any restrictions or limitations for guests with pre-existing health conditions. 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. A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. Drug-sniffing dogs and $500 fines: Carnival tries to tame cruises, Battery fire on Spirit flight to Florida sends 10 to hospital, In a crowded place, a face mask or respirator keeps the virus away, The investigation into covids origins must continue, Your questions about covid-19, answered by Dr. Leana Wen, Lab leak report energizes Republicans covid probes, We are asking the wrong question about the origins of covid, Doctors who touted ivermectin as covid fix now pushing it for flu, RSV, First combination home test for flu and covid cleared by the FDA. The Crystal Symphony. 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. Disney Cruise Line. Small ship company Windstar Cruises said Monday it also will require passengers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, The Miami Herald reported. These rules apply to cruises of under 16 nights. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. While other cruise lines may not officially require vaccinations for kids that young yet, they may in the future. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. That enables a virus to spread more easily from person to person. A precruise test is no longer required on the river ships. There are still some cruise lines that have not yet indicated they will relax their COVID protocols, though their numbers are dwindling. Temperature checks occur daily. (Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.) The requirements depend on the cruise line. They're also easing rules for pre-boarding testing, making it easier for cruise-goers to sail the seas. *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations that continue to require vaccinations. Please refer to. Mask Policy Masks on board are recommended but not required indoors or outdoors. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. 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. Cruise ship travel. 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. 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. The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Affected 4 Different Cruise ShipsHere's Why Illness Can Spread so Fast at Sea. We will comply with all local regulations at all destinations we visit. 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. Vaccines heavily reduce the chances that you'll become infected in the first place. The CDC director answered your questions. Also called a "bivalent" booster, the updated booster became available for people aged 511 on October 12, 2022. Lets get cruising! Testing at home is safe, simple, and convenient. Cruise ship travel during COVID-19. Other cruise lines are singing the same tune. The pandemic after the pandemic: Long covid haunts millions of people. On most sailings, kids and teens ages 17 and under do not have a vaccine requirement. The CDC has said vaccinated cruise passengers can remove their masks outdoors unless theyre in a crowd. Royal Caribbean did not answer a question about whether its decision not to require vaccinations for passengers was a result of the states bans. The world's second-largest cruise line late Friday said that effective Sept. 6 it no longer would require passengers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine for all voyages except those . Specific destinations still require testing such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. 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. The European Union's Digital COVID Certificate, for example, includes certification of recovery from COVID-19. 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 are strongly advised to monitor current travel requirements and advisories for their home countries. They are dependent, however, on the requirements of the places they are stopping at., This means that two different itineraries on the same cruise line may not have the same rulesso its more essential than ever to check testing, vaccination, and booster requirements specifically for each departure. If you're vaccinated, that decreases your chances of having a positive test and having to skip your trip at the last minute. Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be . Since late July, cruise lines have been further relaxing rules. If you're not in the US and have a certificate of recovery, contact your desired cruise line before purchasing the cruise. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications and remedies. 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. Are there any onboard activities that will not be available? Trips that are 16 days or longer will still require a medically supervised COVID test with written results within three days of travel.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, the companys president Gus Antorcha said in a statement last month. Are children allowed to sail on your ships if they are not vaccinated? Norwegian Cruise Line will review reimbursement submissions in the event your insurance carrier denies the claim or you do not have travel insurance. 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. 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. It can be confusing to keep track of which lines require what, and in which regions unvaccinated guests can sail if there are still destination limitations. Respiratory illnesses like the flu, and COVID-19 and the common cold. 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. Starting Sept. 6, vaccinated guests sailing on voyages of less than 16 days will no longer have to test . Viking strongly recommends passengers receive a booster dose before departing. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages except for those in Australia or some that are 16 nights or longer. No documentation is required to board, but disclosure is required in advance, and those who are not vaccinated do still need to show a negative result on an antigen or PCR test within three days of departure. Like many businesses attempting to regain shape as we close out year two of a global pandemic, cruise lines have started setting sail again -- with some strict health measures in place. The exception are trips on the Disney Magic that depart New York City from September 30 through October 31 that may have different requirements. 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. The information in this story is accurate as of press time. 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. Kashif J. Piracha, MD, FACP, FASN, FNKF, is a practicing physician at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. RELATED: NCLH Drops COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements, Welcomes Everyone to Sail. Boosters are required for those age 18 and up who completed tests more than nine months prior to the cruise. Travel tips you can trust. did not go that far. This could include but is not limited to proof of a specific negative COVID-19 test result or Booster. CDC lifts some mask rules for vaccinated cruise passengers, This is it, Bayley said in the statement. Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test in order to embark on the second leg of a back-to-back 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. When Will the Brightline to Orlando Open? 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. The company also recently relaxed its mask-wearing policies, making them optional, even in indoor and crowded settings. The cruise line may also require a test at the pier, paid for by the cruise line.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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). Will I have to sign a COVID-19 waiver to board a ship? Remember: Vaccine exemptions and refunds are not guaranteed. Here's what to know about setting sail without a COVID-19 vaccination. Cruises that are 16 nights or longer may have additional requirements based on the itinerary. For other agents, the business benefits remain to be seen. Check the U.S. State Departments detailed COVID-19 travel information and country-specific advisories, which are updated regularly. Windstar CruisesAll passengers must be fully vaccinated. To find out more, please. - 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. Should there be an annual coronavirus booster? The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. The just-announced cruises will depart from Florida, which has passed a law prohibiting companies from requiring proof of vaccination, and Texas, where lawmakers just passed a similar bill, according to the Texas Tribune. Travel is making its grand comeback, and were looking forward to the continued momentum from consumers around the world, Celebrity President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said last month. Youll find expert advice for experienced and first-time cruisers, as well as port and destination guides. Booster shots are not required. Viking River Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises require all guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before travel. Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. cruise lines have started setting sail again, "mix and match" approach to COVID-19 vaccines, written confirmation from their medical provider, over 10 times more likely to die from the disease, doesn't allow children under the age of 5 to cruise, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In you are an unvaccinated adult, some cruise lines will now let you sail, others will not. 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. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone:(201) 902-2000. Spice up your small talk with the latest tech news, products and reviews. 2023 Cond Nast. 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. Were thrilled that NCLH has updated their sailing guidelines to welcome unvaccinated guests and adjust testing requirements.. It also allows you to search by test type PCR or Antigen. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on most voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations with local regulations that may continue to require vaccination including Australia. Are there any restrictions on pre-existing health conditions or limitations for guests due to COVID-19? 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. In the specific event that you have a child turning 5 during the voyage, check in with your cruise line before buying a ticket. Unvaccinated guests are permitted to sail on most MSC voyages. Related: Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? Effective for sailings 10/4/22 and beyond, all guests regardless of vaccination status are able to sail and with no testing requirements. 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. Travelers ages 11 and under will not be subject to any vaccination requirements or testing protocols. 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. Norovirus. Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be charged to the guests' account. Check your airline's protocols around testing, mask-wearing, vaccination, or quarantining if you're flying before or after the cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line doesn't allow children under the age of 5 to cruise, for example, because they can't get vaccinated yet. Lindblad Expeditions is among the shrinking number of cruise lines that continue to require vaccination and testing. 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. Wash your hands frequently. COVID-19 shots are compulsory for all passengers cruising with Atlas, with proof of inoculation required before embarkation. It's also possible that cruise lines could ease up on their pandemic measures in the near future and stop requiring proof of vaccination for passengers. The line doesn't allow kids younger than 8 years old to sail, so young-child exemptions aren't a . One Cruise Planners franchise owner in San Diego, Calif. has yet to record an immediate boost in bookings. Norwegian Cruise Line will require all passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before boarding at least through the end of the . The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Our Health Screening Measures (listed in section 2 below) promote health and safety onboard and help minimise the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. How Long Does It Take for the COVID-19 Booster To Be Effective? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends updating people on their COVID-19 vaccines before going on a cruise. Royal Caribbean will require vaccinations for some. 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. 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.. Norwegian Cruise Line, which has not been approved to restart, has said it will initially require everyone on board to be vaccinated. You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. RELATED: Carnival Drops Pre-Cruise Testing & Vaccination Requirements. This doesnt apply to select destinations where local regulations vary, including Australia. To make sure the experience remains safe only vaccinated adults will. The changes began shortly. Lets leave the covid origin mystery to scientists, Covid, flu, RSV declining in hospitals as tripledemic threat fades. And the rules are constantly changing. COVID-19 requirements may differ in destinations that have specific mandates, such as Canada, Greece and Bermuda. All rights reserved. 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. Jessica is a writer on the Wellness team with a focus on health news. 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. 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. Should the need arise, we also have partnerships with onshore medical institutions in place to provide clinical advice and assistance as needed. Overall, it's just better to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before going on a cruise, said Dr. Russo. Its pre-boarding tests requirements have also been scaled back. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. Are children required to have a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? 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. 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%. Simply enter your zip code, or city and country, and the website will display locations, contact information, and testing hours. This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. According to the CDC, "cruise ship travel presents a unique combination of health concerns.".