A guide to every major cruise line's health requirements for safe sailing. In August, the company started sailing to the Bahamas with a stop at its private island, Ocean Cay. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! To be considered up to date by all European countries, your vaccination must meet both of the following requirements: 1. It only took 10s of thousands of lives to be lost for them to do it though. We recommend that you check with your health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. What other safety measures are in place: Pre-departure testing may not be necessary depending on the port. Where they sail: MSC Cruises sails large ocean cruises around the world, including throughout Europe, South America, the Persian Gulf, and the Caribbean. For those ages 11 and under, a COVID-19 PCR test is required depending on the duration of the trip. For European homeports, the cruise line says guests booked on board will be provided full health and safety guidelines 30 days before departure: Royal Caribbean is working closely with local government and health authorities to finalize protocols and requirements designed for the health and safety of our guests sailing from European and Middle Eastern homeports. When Royal Caribbean resumed cruises in summer 2021, vaccine requirements were in place and remained so until now. Who needs the vaccine: All guests must be fully vaccinated, including a booster shot at least 14 days before boarding a ship. 3 Puerto Rico. Some countries are only. Puerto. Where they sail: The brand-new cruise line is launching mini sailings from England for UK residents, and has cruises throughout the Caribbean, and transatlantic options. Masks will be required during the embarkation process and while riding a shore excursion bus, but will not be required on board. Most cases are in the Caribbean but some infections can be found in the Southern United States. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Royal Caribbean informs guests of updated protocols including the elimination of venue access depending on vaccination status. However Mr Fain think this will soon change. Royal Caribbean reverses, won't require passengers on U.S. cruises to be vaccinated By Taylor Dolven Updated June 07, 2021 10:35 AM Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas is docked at. Luggage is then disinfected before being brought onto the ship and staterooms cleaned with electrostatic fogging. Where they sail: These small-ship river cruises sail throughout Europe, Asia, South America, and down the Nile River in Egypt. Richard Fain, chief executive of Royal Caribbean, told the BBC "we expect all of our guests who are eligible for a vaccine to have it". Who needs the vaccine: Everyone is welcome regardless of vaccination status, passengers traveling to Bermuda or Canada are required to be vaccinated. At this time,only the following sailings have COVID-19 vaccination requirements: Guestsage12 and older must be fully vaccinated againstCOVID-19in order to sail: Vaccines that are fully approved or authorized for emergency use by theWorld Health Organization (with the exception of CanSino), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), will be accepted by the ports we sail to. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Masks are required in public spaces, according to the company "bandana" and "buff" face masks will not be accepted. Breeze through security with CLEAR lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. The Caribbean and Northern America offer a wide variety of experiences for all kinds of travellers. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. What happens to the ships some cruise lines have scrapped during the pandemic? This means that Royal Caribbean has now also removed the need for a bracelet to indicate the vaccination status. Testing requirements have not been finalized, All sailings departing from the UK and Europe (with the exception of Iceland), All sailings departing from Los Angeles to Mexican Riviera. Royal Caribbean requires proof at certain ports, but none in Florida, and this week introduced a requirement complicating trips for the unvaccinated: those passengers must show proof of travel . These Cruise Lines Just Dropped Their COVID-19 Testing Rules, Norwegian Cruises to Allow Unvaccinated Passengers Starting in September, These Major Cruise Lines Just Dropped COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Shorter Sailings What to Know, More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers on Board, These Cruise Lines Will Accept At-home Covid Tests for Unvaccinated Passengers, Canada to Drop All COVID-19 Travel Restrictions on Oct. 1 What to Know, A Country-by-country Guide to COVID-19 Entry Requirements in Europe, Where Can Americans Travel Right Now? Are you happy with this change or did you like knowing that everyone onboard was vaccinated? Who needs the vaccine: Although P&O Cruises' policy states that passengers over the age of 15 are required to be vaccinated, the latest update on its website says guests will be contacted directly in regards to vaccination protocol. TPG values it at $1,600. Itineraries including Bahamas, Bermuda, or Grand Cayman will still be required to test. Virgin Voyages Becomes First Major Cruise Line to Eliminate Pre-embarkation COVID Testing in the U.S. Uniworld to Become One of the First River Cruises to Drop Vaccine Requirements next Year, Every Caribbean Island's COVID-19 Travel Policies and What You Need to Know to Plan Your Trip, Margaritaville at Sea Becomes Latest Cruise Line to Ease Pre-boarding COVID Testing Requirement, These Cruise Lines Will Require a Booster Shot to Board Starting March 1, Canada Lifts Testing Requirement for Unvaccinated Children, Will I Need a Booster Shot to Travel? Many have expressed their disappointment with the health protocols as released by the CDC; for vaccinated guests, the cruise experience is as close to normal as weve seen in the last two years. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. The cruise line said that it would only "strongly". Cruise lines have shifted their requirements for passengers, making cruising accessible to practically everyone. Royal Caribbean says it is working to allow unvaccinated on other sailings, but they need to coordinate with other countries first. In addition, even for the itineraries out of Texas and Louisiana for which vaccines no longer will be required, passengers will need to show proof of vaccination if they plan to get off the ship in Grand Cayman a common stop on sailings from those states. Masks are required on bus transfers, in hotels, and on excursions. Mr Fain is hopeful that customers will be encouraged to return soon by a range of new safety measures, including reduced capacity, social distancing and enhanced cleaning processes. Vaccines must be approved for use by the country they are sailing from. Please note, guests who are not up to date on their vaccination per EMA standards will need to take a test onboard in order to get off the ship in Greece and Spain. This is what you need to know about what the major cruise lines require regarding Covid vaccination. Who needs the vaccine: All passengers regardless of vaccination status are allowed to sail. Unless significant changes come within the next few weeks, the health protocols as released by Royal Caribbean this week will be valid through April 14, 2022. The sailings from locations including the Canary Islands, Germany and Singapore have all been "cruises to nowhere", meaning they do not stop at other ports. A All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. Where they sail: The British cruise line, exclusively for guests 50 and older, sails both ocean and river cruises around the globe. Travellers diarrhoea can affect travellers to any region. In many cases inoculations are recommended, but in some circumstances, they are required by the country from which your cruise departs or countries we visit. Royal Caribbean requires vaccination on cruises from Hawaii to Vancouver. "Ports around the world are opening up and opening up very quickly. This cruise will be operated as a vaccinated cruise, as defined by health authorities, with guests and crew vaccination rates approaching 100%. Caribbean. Please note, currently, only guests that show a valid vaccination record can get off the ship in Grand Cayman. Royal Caribbean senses financial improvements are on the horizon. announce an end to their COVID-19 vaccination requirements, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Adults have needed to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise on all of its itineraries around the world. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Vaccinated people get Covid so whats the difference? The first to set sail will be the "Freedom of the Seas . Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Guests under 18 years do not require a vaccine but will also need to have a lateral flow test pre-departure. What Vaccines Do I Need for the Caribbean and Northern America? The new policy, which was announced as the cruise line detailed summer sailings out of Florida and Texas, will allow unvaccinated passengers to board a Royal Caribbean cruise as long as they "undergo testing and follow other protocols." Until now, Royal Caribbean only has allowed unvaccinated passengers under the age of 12 on its ships and only in limited numbers. "I don't think we're talking about a vaccine passport. Read about our approach to external linking. Royal Caribbean International has announced it won't require US passengers to get vaccinated to go on several ships set to sail this summer. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. What other safety measures are in place: Virgin Voyages was the first cruise line to eliminate pre-departure testing for vaccinated guests. Celebrity Cruises will also allow unvaccinated cruisers onboard. Welcome Aboard! Starting September 5, 2022, all guests can sail, regardless of vaccination status. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ended its Covid-19 program for U.S. cruise ships July 18, 2022. These are all the cruise lines that will require COVID-19 vaccinations for guests and crew. In general, Royal Caribbean said guests "are strongly recommended" to have been vaccinated before boarding, and all crew will be vaccinated. Are There Other Health Concerns in the Caribbean and Northern America? Boosters are recommended but not required. 0. What other safety measures are in place: All guests are required to undergo a COVID-19 test at the terminal. But their announcements, too, came with an asterisk: The lines said COVID-19 vaccines still will be required for cruises in some places where local regulations call for one. Get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before cruise ship travel. sailed its maiden voyage on the Mardi Gras, some itineraries will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel, offers the opportunity to take the ship one way to the Bahamas, Virgin Voyages was the first cruise line to eliminate pre-departure testing. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Crystal Cruises will all require guests 18 and older to be vaccinated before boarding. Vaccination and Testing Requirements. Royal Caribbean has hosted more than 150,000 passengers during the pandemic, and reported just 21 cases of coronavirus. Royal Caribbean sister brand Celebrity Cruises made a similar announcement about its COVID-19 vaccine policy late Wednesday, removing its vaccine requirement effective Sept. 5 for some but not all sailings. Unvaccinated people should be allowed to sail out of Florida without feeling pressured. All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. Further, unvaccinated guests may embark with a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, subject to local regulations. An exception to the new policy is those boarding a ship to Alaska where the cruise line will still require guests 16 and older to be vaccinated, and 12 and older starting Aug. 1. Learn more. Who needs the vaccine: Unvaccinated guests are welcome but will be required to self-test three days before cruising. For guests sailing from Australia, vaccines must be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Like what you see? By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Yes (including crew) He doesn't think that there are security issues around the paper documents issued to show vaccines have been given in countries such as the US and UK. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. Guests must have received their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before the beginning of the cruise and provide proof of vaccination at . Beginning August 4, vaccinated passengers on Carnival company sailings that last less than six days will no longer be required to provide a negative PCR or antigen test result before boarding. There have been outbreaks on some of the few cruises that have run around the world since the pandemic began. ", Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. We recommend that you check with your health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Disney Cruise Line was the first to announce that all guests 5 years and older will now need a vaccination in order to sail after January 13, 2022. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Unvaccinated passengers can cruise with negative results from any commercially available test, including self . Unvaccinated travelers on a cruise to Bermuda will be required to purchase travel insurance (children under 12 are exempt as long as they are traveling with vaccinated parents). Passport Health offers all the vaccinations and medications you may need to travel safely throughout the region. Vaccine requirements remain a touchy issue as some people have chosen not to be vaccinated and that means they cannot cruise. What vaccines are required to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise? What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air (HEPA) filters and buffets have been eliminated. Book the Eastern Caribbean, departing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey on 05 Jan 2025 for 11 nights aboard Odyssey of the Seas with ROL Cruise today. Masks will be required on board indoors, and all shore excursions will be with vetted operators. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Iam very happy that something is starting to move in the right direction.Well ,I can wait until the mandate for other US ports will be lifted.This is the best vacation. All ports should have the same right as the ones that were lifted. A Royal Caribbean-owned cruise line just announced a vaccine requirement. Royal Caribbean released a further update to its protocols on Wednesday, which will . Who needs the vaccine: Vaccinations are recommended but no longer required. The cruise company's new sailings from the Bahamas will require all adult guests "to be . TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Last Friday, Royal Caribbean announced that it will begin sailing in early July from Florida with ships where vaccinations will be recommended but not required. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, both part of Royal Caribbean Group, will mandate vaccinations for adult guests and crew, with children under 18 required to test negative for the coronavirus . While it may not seem like much, the current health requirements are an essential step forward to bring cruising back to normal. I wish they had cruises where no one was injected. Read about our approach to external linking. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. Princess said it will allow up to 10% of unvaccinated guests on most sailings without exemptions or vaccine status justification. All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. What other safety measures are in place: Ocean Cruise guests will be required to get tested for COVID-19 in the terminal. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. The unconfirmed cruise ship rumors that get repeated a lot by cruise fans. The cruise states they will not visit any destinations where vaccine rates are low. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Here are the pre-arrival testing requirements for the sailings that allow unvaccinated passengers onboard. Royal Caribbean will require vaccinated guests 5 and older to take a pre-cruise test on sailings from the U.S . Royal Caribbean drops the vaccine requirement from select U.S. homeports on departures from September 5, 2022. See the below table for more information: Embassy information for each country is available on its own destination advice page. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. December 2020: How Covid cruise ships are navigating troubled waters. Link to comment Share on other sites. Where they sail: Windstar operates small-ship cruises and several sailing vessels all around the globe, including to places like Central America. . It is probably considered a transpacific cruise and vaccination is required. Outside of the current welcome bonus, youre only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so its not a great card for other spending categories. The travel company announced on Friday that an additional six ships will resume trips from US ports in Florida and Texas starting in July and August. From the snows of Greenland to the seasides of Jamaica, there is something for everyone. Missing from this list are cruises that visit destinations in The Bahamas or Eastern Caribbean. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. All Royal Caribbean guests aged 12 and over must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing. Who needs the vaccine: All are welcome regardless of vaccination status, unvaccinated passengers must have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of embarkation. It wasn't immediately clear what other protocols. ABTA & ATOL Protected | FREE Champagne Gift Box T&C's Apply. Previously, certain areas onboard. That means it's easier than ever to get to paradise and get started on your well-deserved vacation. The Caribbean and Northern America offer a wide variety of experiences for all kinds of travellers. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Ships will be sailing with a minimum of 95% of guests vaccinated; however, Royal Caribbean has not decided yet on whether or not a booster will be required in the future. I am glad you brought this up because I had considered that cruise and now I will not. Richard Fain, chief executive of Royal Caribbean, told the BBC "we expect all of our guests who are eligible for a vaccine to have it". . Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Cruise lines have restricted their ships to only allow adults that are fully vaccinated onboard since sailings restarted in late 2020. For now, there is no more restriction. In general, Royal Caribbean said guests "are strongly recommended" to have been vaccinated before boarding, and all crew will be vaccinated. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more.