Carnival Cruise Line and local health authorities will continue to monitor local COVID-19 case levels and will make appropriate adjustments to the policy, as well as to other onboard protocols, to safeguard cruise guests, crew members, and port communities. Carnival Cruise Line is now requiring all guests and crew to wear masks aboard two vessels, and other cruise lines are doing the same. AzamaraPassengers no longer need to take pre-travel Covid tests except where required by local restrictions. Cruise vacations are a great way to explore the world and have a fun and relaxing time. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, said Royal Caribbeans news release. - As of July 25, 2022, the line no longer requires pre-cruise testing unless . Also Check: What Is The Best Cruise Out Of Galveston. Booked guests can get up-to-date information using the Cruise Personalizer tool. There are a few exceptions. MSCs policy toward vaccination for sailing from the United States is that while kids under 12 years old are allowed to sail unvaccinated, those older than that must have the shot. Carnival Cruise Line wont require unvaccinated guests to apply for an exemption to sail after Sept. 6. Crew Vaccinated? Now, the cruise brand owned by billionaire Richard Branson has quietly decided to allow some unvaccinated sailors, as it calls its passengers, on its upcoming voyages. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. As with any rapidly changing scenario like this one, laws, and regulations change at a rapid pace, and this often affects your cruise vaccination requirements as well. The cruise line states some itineraries will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel, and that instructors will be sent out 30 days prior to travel. Additionally, many cruise lines are still enforcing social distancing measures onboard and in public areas.When planning a cruise vacation, it's important to research the safety protocols of each cruise line before booking. This simplifies the requirements to sail. As the threat of Covid-19 begins to diminish, there is a possibility cruise lines may relax health protocols, including allowing unvaccinated people to go on a cruise ship. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Other sources include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travelers Health site that maintains up-to-date information on current health situations around the world, general healthy travel tips and help in finding a travel health clinic. But now, little more than a year later, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has withdrawn its opt-in guidance for cruise lines, and many are now allowing more unvaccinated passengers to sail. The cruise line said it will accept an antigen, PCR, or Nucleic Acid Amplification Test test. Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Disney said that changes to the policies are subject to local rules. Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless they're traveling from or to a destination that requires it. Olsen Cruise Lines. For example, approximately 100 cases were reported onboard Coral Princess in early July during one of the first restart cruises, while more recently, local news services have reported more than 800 cases aboard Majestic Princess. Given the significant, positive progress in the public health environment, the Cruise Line updated its health and safety guidelines, which are now more aligned with other global travel organizations. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. Starting Sept. 6, Princess Cruises will require passengers on sailings of 16 nights or longer to take a test within three days of leaving, as well as those on full Panama Canal transits. Recommended Reading: When Can You Book Excursions On Disney Cruise. Massport, the organization behind Logan Airport and Flynn Cruise Port in Boston, said masks are no longer mandatory in their terminals: " Masks are optional. For example, many cruise lines require passengers to be tested for COVID-19 before boarding and may also require them to quarantine for a period of time before embarking. CunardAll guests age 16 and up must be vaccinated, including with booster shots. What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air filters and buffets have been eliminated. Health and safety are always our first priority in fact, we were the health and safety leaders from the very start of the pandemic, said Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer. Major cruise lines that continue to have a masking policy in place for indoor public areas of their ships include Azamara, Cunard, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Viking. Norwegian, which mandates 100% of guests and crew be vaccinated to sail and did not previously require masks be worn, will now mandate face coverings for sailings through Dec. 19, according to the . Which Cruise Lines Require That Kids Be Vaccinated? While most cruise lines require adults to be vaccinated right now, unvaccinated readers want to know when the vaccine mandate may go away. When asked how Carnival intends to handle Floridas new law, a spokesperson did not comment on the decision to break from the law and instead referred NBC News to its frequently-asked-questions page, which states that guests will be asked to confirm their status as fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and provide proof of vaccination in advance of boarding, unless a vaccination exemption is given in advance. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks are not required. These links are signposted with an asterisk. Before your trip, you will need to review your cruise lines health and safety protocols. In the fall of 2022, many popular cruise lines dropped the requirement for passengers to be up-to-date on Covid-19 vaccinations. The reintroduced policy is effective immediately, and there is no announced end date for when it may be relaxed. As of November 17, 2022, Princess Cruise Lines has also reinstituted mandatory masks onboard for Australia and New Zealand sailings, stating that masking requirements may change at any time, so we ask for flexibility from our guests., Similarly, Royal Caribbean International also states that all guests should wear a mask while travelling through the terminal and in public indoor spaces or crowded outdoor spaces onboard and that protocols are subject to change.. Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Cruise Line. Disney Cruise Line, which recently welcomed a new ship to its fleet, requires unvaccinated children to wear their masks when using the shared youth centers on board, and also asks all travelers to wear a mask at all times when at the cruise terminal. In compliance with U.K. guidance, Fred. Dont Miss: What Cruise Lines Go To Tahiti. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks are not required. Its also important to know that while all adults in the US are now eligible for boosters, the definition of fully vaccinated hasnt changed and you dont need an extra shot to be considered fully vaccinated. MORE: 8. In fact, apart from vaccines and testing, the onboard experience has returned to exactly what it was before the pandemic. Some people waited to cruise until masks were no longer required while others wont step onboard until every covid-related protocol goes away. Most major cruise lines require proof of vaccination for all passengers age 12 and up, and some require them for kids as young as 5 years old . Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard except in the medical center. In turn, each operator has prepared their own cruise vaccination policy that is designed to work across all destinations they service. Do Non-US Citizens Need to Be Vaccinated to Enter the US During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Children age 12 to 15 must have received two initial doses of the vaccination. Unvaccinated cruises passengers must wear masks, while vaccinated passengers dont. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line began waiving vaccination and testing requirements in October. For passengers who are 5 and older and fully vaccinated, a COVID test is not required, but proof of vaccination is needed. On sailings departing Singapore, masks are mandatory on the ship when indoors. Costa Cruises, Azamara, and Silversea Cruises have also dropped their vaccination policies with some exceptions. Those requirements would not be necessary on the same cruise without a stop in Colombia. Therefore, people who are vaccinated should not be worried about getting infected from those who arent. However, some cruise lines have recently revoked the obligation to wear masks on certain ships this summer. If you know a bit about which brands belong to which company, youll recognize that these are all cruise lines under the Carnival Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings umbrellas. Others have eliminated both Covid vaccination requirements and testing requirements for some, but not all, passengers based on itineraries or cruise lengths. COVID-19 vaccine exemptions at Carnivals Long Beach, California port will only be accepted for kids under age 12 and when required by US federal law due to religious beliefs or medical reasons. Otherwise all guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before departure. This isnt an easy decision, because its partially about peoples health and partially about keeping your business healthy. VERIFY: Do cruise passengers have to show proof of vaccination? Just a few weeks prior, the line had opened its ships up to unvaccinated kids under 5. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding. However, from December 1, Azamara will no longer require proof of vaccination for sailings starting and ending in the US or sailings starting and ending in Europe. Passengers can call the cruise line at 954-488-2955 to ask about sailing without having the shot. The following cruise lines have dropped all restrictions, including vaccine, testing, and mask rules, with exceptions only for itineraries that visit countries with restrictions still in place. Olsen passengers are required to wear a mask onboard when not in their staterooms, eating or drinking, or seated in a deck . As the United States has opened up again following the worst of the pandemic, many people have returned to a normal way of life. Carnival no longer requires masks on its ships. As of December 2022, if it has been at least 2 months since their last dose, children as young as 6 months who completed the Moderna primary series can receive one updated bivalent booster dose. READ NEXT: Bimini Cruise Port: Everything You Need To Know. Currently, booster shots are not required for any passengers. Norwegian Cruise Line takes Florida to court over vaccine mandate ban, Celebrity Cruise Lines will not require proof of vaccination. Virgin does not allow children on its ships, so it was sailing with 100% vaccination rates. Also Check: Best Hotels Near Miami Cruise Port. We feature properties from a specially selected list of trusted operators who are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. Again, your cruise company will have the details you need based on your specific itinerary. These links are signposted with an asterisk. Can I Travel if I've Been Exposed to COVID-19? At this date, Regent will adopt the following pre-cruise testing requirements, subject to local regulations: Explore Regent Seven Seas current health and safety protocols here. While some cruise lines have relaxed their mask policies, others may still require them. fred o. Fred. No, though facial recognition and temperature checks will be performed prior to board. Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? The line also warns that masks could be required by some ports of call its ships visit. A precruise test is no longer required on the river ships. All passengers will undergo a complimentary COVID-19 test during the pre-cruise hotel stay prior to embarkation. Additionally, it's important to check the latest travel advisories and restrictions for your destination before booking a cruise. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. Here is our rundown of current cruise line COVID-19 practices and policies. As an adults-only cruise line, Virgin required everyone on the ship to be vaccinated. So, will you need a vaccine to cruise? A. Disney Cruise Lines joins Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Holland America Line, which no longer require vaccinations on most sailings. Passengers are encouraged to wear them . Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard. MSC currently offers cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas from Florida. Democrats have denounced the new law and accused DeSantis of undermining both public health and the cruise industry. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Carnival Cruise Line only restarted Australia guest operations in the past several weeks, first with Carnival Splendor setting sail on October 1, followed by Carnival Luminosas first sailing on November 6. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. And, some cruise stops may then trigger requirements for ports of call later in the trip. Amateur zombie evangelist. : Yes American Queen is even vaccinating its shoreside employees. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. There is no requirement for passengers to mask on board, but 100% of the crew is masked. As well, Sir Richard Bransons new cruise line Virgin Voyages also dropped its masking policy as of yesterday, February 28. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks may be required in public areas on the ship . The cruise line states some itineraries will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel, and that instructors will be sent out 30 days prior to travel. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. That means having both doses of a two-dose shot 14 days before embarking on the ship. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Traveler Alert: Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip! Recommended Reading: When Are Cruise Ships Sailing Again. All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. Note: Some destinations still require it and cruises that visit these countries will still have the COVID-19 vaccination requirement due to local laws. As the COVID-19 pandemic slows down, eight cruise lines have just dropped their mask policies as of yesterday, February 28, and today, March 1, 2022. Major global cruise lines no longer require passengers to wear masks.2 days ago. Typical bacon geek. These included recommendations that ships continue to require pre-cruise testing and for passengers to be vaccinated. Azamara is one of the cruise lines that no longer requires passengers to wear masks on their ships, although they still recommend them. While most cruise lines require adults to be vaccinated right now, unvaccinated readers want to know when the vaccine mandate may go away. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. That meant they required just about everyone on board to have their shots, with few exceptions allowed for young children and people who cant be vaccinated due to medical conditions or religious beliefs. Amateur web practitioner. Many other cruise line operators and brands made similar protocol changes, including Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. With more and more cruise lines dropping all COVID-related travel requirements, its back to cruising as usual. Until recently, Virgin Voyages had a simple policy. Bottom line: If youve been vaccinated against COVID-19 outside of the US, check with your cruise line to make sure they accept your vaccine before putting any money down. As always, your safety is our first priority, so we will continue with our other protocols to keep you well while enjoying your relaxing vacation, the cruise line shared in the email. Furthermore, all cruise travelers should be aware that any cruise line has the authority to update protocols in any region, for any sailing, at any time, should it be deemed necessary for public health and safety and the health and safety of those aboard a ship. Cruise like a pro with expert tips from our editors. Proud musicaholic. Youll find expert advice for experienced and first-time cruisers, as well as port and destination guides. Dont Miss: Do Any Cruise Lines Allow Dogs. While the pandemic has made most of us equate vaccine with Covid-19, depending on where you travel, protecting your health by getting or boosting vaccinations for things hepatitis, yellow fever and other diseases may be required or recommended. As well, no vaccine will be required if sailing from Europe. Not sure where to go? "There may, however, be certain venues and events where masks will be required," said the brand. - All other cruises still require proof of initial vaccination and a booster until further notice. Heres a rundown of the basic rules for some leading cruise lines. That number has come down from 95% and it was generally believed to be a number to account for kids too young to get vaccinated to be onboard. Note: In order to be considered fully vaccinated, passengers must have received their final shot at least 15 days prior to embarkation.