(If testing is required it can typically be either a PCR test or tele-health-monitored antigen test, paid for by the passenger. 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. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding. Our CareTeam will assist with daily wellbeing check-ins . Check with Carnival for specific cruise requirements. Unvaccinated guests are welcome but required to have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, subject to local regulations. Related: What happens if someone tests positive for COVID-19 on your cruise. Guests on cruises longer than 16 nights will have to test if stopping in destinations that require tests locally (like Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia; these destinations require the tests to be supervised). "Currently, COVID-19 vaccination is required for all guests for all sailings departing on March 13, 2021, through April 10, 2021, at this time," American Cruise Lines said in a statement. 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. The Miami-based operator will not require passengers to be vaccinated. Were thrilled that NCLH has updated their sailing guidelines to welcome unvaccinated guests and adjust testing requirements.. We will comply with all local regulations at all destinations we visit. No precruise testing is required for vaccinated guests on sailings of five nights or less. The big question is, what cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests to sail? 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. 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. 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. All passengers age 12 and up, who completed their primary vaccine series more than five months ago, are required to be boosted. (Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.) Guests under the age of 12 dont have any vaccination or testing requirements. Previously, the number was 95 percent for passengers. Its pre-boarding tests requirements have also been scaled back. This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. 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. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications and remedies. All onboard venues and activities will be available unless staffing or other challenges onboard prevent normal operations. 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. If a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while on board, what costs are covered? Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be . This is the news weve been waiting for, said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners. The cruise line may also require a test at the pier, paid for by the cruise line.) 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. Once booked and on board, passengers should take the appropriate precautions, but they should also remember to have funit is a vacation!. 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? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. 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. Additional terms and conditions may apply, see our COVID- 19 Policies and Procedures and your Cruise Ticket Contract for details. Before Norwegians announcement, both Princess Cruises and Virgin Voyages indicated that they would accept unvaccinated passengers, but limited that population to up to 10% of their guest capacity. 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. American Queen VoyagesOn this lines river, ocean, Great Lakes and expedition ships, all passengers are required to be vaccinated. To find out more, please. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the cruise line said in a news release. Norwegian Cruise Line, which has not been approved to restart, has said it will initially require everyone on board to be vaccinated. If you have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider about your cruise travel plans. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations that continue to require vaccinations. Small ship company Windstar Cruises said Monday it also will require passengers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, The Miami Herald reported. RELATED: Carnival Drops Pre-Cruise Testing & Vaccination Requirements. Holland America LineAs of September 6, on most voyages of 15 nights or less, vaccinated guests age 5 and up do not need to be tested prior to cruising. For specific country requirements, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. It wasn't uncommon to see reports of outbreaks ofnorovirus, a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. 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. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Windstar CruisesAll passengers must be fully vaccinated. For Europe and Tahiti, your last COVID-19 shot is now required within the last 270 days. Since late July, cruise lines have been further relaxing rules. Unvaccinated guests are welcome on most voyages. All guests are advised to monitor and comply with applicable travel restrictions. Cruises that are 16 nights or longer may have additional requirements based on the itinerary. For cruises longer than 15 nights, a medically supervised COVID-19 test is required for all guests, and most passengers are required to be vaccinated. Cruise ship travel. We know from our advisors that their unvaccinated clients have been waiting for this announcement, and I have no doubt that we will see a spike in cruise bookings. Carnival Cruise Line is joining Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line in dropping its COVID-19 vaccine requirement.. It's also important to know that while all adults in the US are now eligible for boosters, the definition of "fully vaccinated" hasn't changed and you don't need an extra shot to be considered fully vaccinated. Do I need another booster? 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone:(201) 902-2000. Check out our variety of itineraries. The new protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, such as Canada, Australia, and Greece. Are there any restrictions on pre-existing health conditions or limitations for guests due to COVID-19? That's hard to say because it depends on the state of the pandemic at any given time. 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. The company also recently relaxed its mask-wearing policies, making them optional, even in indoor and crowded settings. If you're not comfortable vaccinating your child under 12, hold off on buying them a ticket or get confirmation on a timeline for requirements from your desired cruise line. If you feel ill in the days before your cruise, you should not travel. Remember: Vaccine exemptions and refunds are not guaranteed. This news is very exciting for us and our industry.. This article was published more than1 year ago. 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. After two years of first banning and then advising against cruising due to pandemic-related health and safety risks, in late March 2022, the CDC dropped its warning to travelers about the health risks of cruising during the COVID pandemic. Vaccination will be critical in the safe resumption of cruising . 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. Precruise testing is required for all guests. 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. Starting March 11, 2023, proof of vaccination for sailings to or from Europe will no longer be required. Safety protocols for unvaccinated passengers have also not been announced. 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.. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. That's because cruise ships, with their tight quarters, buffet-style living and international travel, can be a breeding ground for the coronavirus. 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. 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.. These regulations are continuously evolving and if an additional test is required at a port of call we will provide advanced notice to all guests. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. According to the CDC, "cruise ship travel presents a unique combination of health concerns.". International travel requirements and restrictions continue to evolve. RELATED: NCLH Drops COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements, Welcomes Everyone to Sail. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But ever since theCOVID-19 pandemicbegan, it's understandable to wonder whether you can go on a cruise if you're not vaccinated. All departures from the U.S. that are nine nights or less dont require any testing, unless they stop in Canada or Bermuda. All guests 18 and older must be vaccinated to sail, plus one booster shot if eligible. Testing at home is safe, simple, and convenient. All passengers must also present a negative PCR test result at the pier. 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. Carnival Cruise Line Only passengers on sailings to Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia, plus cruises of 16 nights or more, need to be fully vaccinated. 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. 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). This could include but is not limited to proof of a specific negative COVID-19 test result or Booster. 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. Guests will no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result prior to departing home. Disney Cruise Line. Get your annual flu shot and get up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. 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. There are no restrictions for those under the age of 11. 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. Please keep in mind that this is largely dependent on the local health authorities and the evolving regulations, which are subject to change. 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. Jessica is a writer on the Wellness team with a focus on health news. We have also enhanced our onboard medical capabilities with additional staffing and enhanced facilities. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. 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. Yes, we offer guests the option to purchase travel protection plans. Note: There may be additional requirements if you are traveling internationally, and the rules can changesometimes overnight. Viking strongly recommends passengers receive a booster dose before departing. Also, crew members may work multiple voyages, passing on germs transmitted from previous passengers. Will I be required to take a COVID test to disembark the vessel? Norwegian Cruise Line, which has not been approved to restart, has said it will initially require everyone on board to be vaccinated. So far, the CDC has approved nine ships for test cruises, operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. Onboard medical consultations and treatments are provided at a charge for all respiratory illnesses. Fee is also hopeful that the remainder of cruise lines will follow suit soon. Inspired Diagnostics is a subsidiary of Inspire Health Alliance, a leader in best-in-class health services. They're also easing rules for pre-boarding testing, making it easier for cruise-goers to sail the seas. 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. This website uses cookies. Masks are no longer required. A cruise can be a fun way to visit certain areas of the world at a slower pace. Health and safety is our top priority, and we will continue to modify our robust SailSafe program as the public health environment evolves. (The only"mix and match" approach to COVID-19 vaccinesin the US applies to boosters.). Unvaccinated children five to 11 years old will no longer need the vaccine to sail. All passengers must be vaccinated. 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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. The company announced the requirement as it plans. 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). 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. FDA, CDC expand Pfizer & Moderna bivalent vaccines to kids 6 months and up with Sandra Fryhofer, MD. Even so, Celestyal suggests all guests test prior to travel, regardless of vaccination status, but test results will no longer be checked next year. 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. Vaccines must be approved for use by the country they are sailing from. SeabournAs of September 6, fully vaccinated passengers will no longer be required to submit a precruise COVID-19 test. A line-by-line guide. But like the latter lines, it'll still make you show proof of one for some sailings. Norwegian Cruise Line will review reimbursement submissions in the event your insurance carrier denies the claim or you do not have travel insurance. Local regulations may have vaccine requirements to enter certain countries make sure to checkTravel Requirements by Countryto understand country specific requirements about accepted vaccines. 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? Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter. Lets leave the covid origin mystery to scientists, Covid, flu, RSV declining in hospitals as tripledemic threat fades. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters. All vessels will have COVID-19 testing capabilities on board and results onsite. Respiratory illnesses like the flu, and COVID-19 and the common cold. Please refer to. Before boarding, you may need to present a vaccine waiver, wear a mask, or provide a negative test. Oceania CruisesVaccinated guests age 12 are not required to procure a precruise COVID-19 test, and unvaccinated guests may embark with a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, subject to local regulations, beginning on September 3, 2022. Last week, the CDC announced new guidelines that won't require cruise lines to ask for proof of a COVID-19 vaccination from passengers. Royal Caribbean did not answer a question about whether its decision not to require vaccinations for passengers was a result of the states bans. 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. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. The CDC has said vaccinated cruise passengers can remove their masks outdoors unless theyre in a crowd. All rights reserved. Simply enter your zip code, or city and country, and the website will display locations, contact information, and testing hours. CDC Shares New Real-World Data on Updated Shots. 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. Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test in order to embark on the second leg of a back-to-back sailing? 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. 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. However, we encourage all guests to follow the vaccination and testing guidance outlined above. Unvaccinated passengers will need to test via a rapid or lab-based PCR or nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Disney Cruise Line became the first cruise line to requirepassengers as young as 5 to be vaccinated for sailings starting Jan. 13. And the CDC also recommends testing before boarding a cruise ship. CDC continues to recommend that cruise travelers remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines and get tested for COVID-19 before and after they travel, and after any known exposure to a person with COVID-19.