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. For guests departing outside of the US who are cruising with Royal Caribbean, they may present a certificate of recovery. 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. *Please note, in the event a port included as part of an itinerary requires additional COVID-19 testing in order for guests to disembark, Norwegian Cruise line will facilitate the testing onboard. The new, simplified protocols recognize the evolving nature of COVID-19 while still ensuring we protect the health of our guests, team members and the communities we visit.. Political buffoonery: Cruise lines head for showdown with DeSantis over vaccine requirement ban, Thanks in large part to the successful rollout of vaccines, the world of adventure is beginning to open up, and we are all excited to start delivering great vacations to our guests, who have increasingly told us they are getting vaccinated, Bayley said in the statement. To make sure the experience remains safe only vaccinated adults will. Many major cruise lines require anyone who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to be fully inoculated . 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. Should the need arise, we also have partnerships with onshore medical institutions in place to provide clinical advice and assistance as needed. Guests who fail to agree to these terms and conditions will not be permitted to board. The reality is even if you booked a cruise with the assumption you were going to be on a ship where everyone is vaccinated and tested, that may no longer be the case. 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. Wash your hands frequently. Disney also highly recommends vaccines for younger kids. Health and safety is our top priority, and we will continue to modify our robust SailSafe program as the public health environment evolves. Yes, we offer guests the option to purchase travel protection plans. Will any countries visited during the cruise require additional testing to enter the country? As is true for most travel restrictions these days, your ability to book a cruise may depend on your vaccination status. This article was originally published in May 2022; it was most recently updated on August 17, 2022, with current information. Get tested again after cruise travel. Masks are optional in all areas. 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. Travelers ages 11 and under will not be subject to any vaccination requirements or testing protocols. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for those to or from Australia and on transatlantic and transpacific cruises. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages. 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. 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). Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the cruise line said in a news release. Viking River Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises require all guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before 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. 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 guests 18 and older must be vaccinated to sail, plus one booster shot if eligible. Windstar CruisesAll passengers must be fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages except for those in Australia or some that are 16 nights or longer. Vaccines heavily reduce the chances that you'll become infected in the first place. Celebritys Healthy at Sea page makes it easy to track the specific requirements based on your cruises itinerary. Please keep in mind that this is largely dependent on the local health authorities and the evolving regulations, which are subject to change. Please refer to. People can also pick up pathogens from port visits and bring them back onto the ship, infecting others. However, we encourage all guests to follow the vaccination and testing guidance outlined above. 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. 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. All guests are strongly advised to monitor current travel requirements and advisories for their home countries. This website uses cookies. Crystal Cruises. 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. Check with the cruise line for protocols on pre-board testing and vaccination. If you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider about the risks of traveling. Starting March 11, 2023, proof of vaccination for sailings to or from Europe will no longer be required. Rules may be different depending on requirements of locales visited. Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, shopping, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Womens Health, Self, Prevention, Forbes, Daily Beast, and more. 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. Inspired Diagnostics is a subsidiary of Inspire Health Alliance, a leader in best-in-class health services. Lindblad ExpeditionsAll passengers age 5 and older must be vaccinated. Before your trip, you will need to review your cruise lines health and safety protocols. Medical news, pregnancy topics and health hacks that don't cost money. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone:(201) 902-2000. Our Health Screening Measures (listed in section 2 below) promote health and safety onboard and help minimise the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. 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, Fee said. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. For additional information, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. It also allows you to search by test type PCR or Antigen. Most cruise lines kept requirements for vaccinations and precruise testing in place, but that changed in late July, after the CDC backed off even further from its monitoring of the cruise industry. Our CareTeam will assist with daily wellbeing check-ins . 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. Dont Delay, Wait Times Have Climbed, American Is Cutting 50,000 Summer Flights From These U.S. Here's what we know about cruising unvaccinated for now. 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. 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. Vaccination will be critical in the safe resumption of cruising . Here's what you need to know about going on a cruise if you're notvaccinatedfor COVID-19. All guests must be vaccinated to sail with Viking. 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. 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. CunardAll guests age 16 and up must be vaccinated, including with booster shots. While the Cruise Line will assist with arranging land-based quarantine accommodations if required, payment for all expenses incurred during any mandatory isolation period, including hotel stay, is the responsibility of the guest. Guests under the age of 12 dont have any vaccination or testing requirements. 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. Also called a "bivalent" booster, the updated booster became available for people aged 511 on October 12, 2022. Unvaccinated passengers will need to test via a rapid or lab-based PCR or nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Despite the law, two of the biggest cruise lines, Carnival and Norwegian have decided to impose proof-of-vaccination requirements, according to information published on their websites.. 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. Disney Cruise Line. 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 if you're not vaccinated, it's important to check the guidelines for your cruise line. All vessels will have COVID-19 testing capabilities on board and results onsite. Vessels are equipped with an onboard laboratory, which can administer Complete Blood Counts (CBC), Blood Chemistry, Coagulation tests, and Influenza tests. The slow return was impacted by low consumer confidence, continued health and safety concerns, and issues with air travel to and from ports., After all, the entire industry was paused in the early days of the pandemic. There are still some cruise lines that have not yet indicated they will relax their COVID protocols, though their numbers are dwindling. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. 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. This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. This includes an increase in intensive care unit capacity, new and upgraded equipment, onshore medical institution partnerships, telemedicine capabilities and additional robust consultation and treatment options. Unvaccinated guests are welcome with a medically supervised or self-test within three days of sailing. 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. Looking for a family cruise on Disney's cruise line? It turns out that you can usually board a cruise ship without being vaccinated for COVID-19. And the CDC also recommends testing before boarding a cruise ship. Viking Cruises has decided to eliminate pre-voyage testing. FDA Panel Endorses Updated COVID Shots for All, Regardless of Vaccination Status, When To Get Boosted After Having a COVID-19 Breakthrough Infection, How Effective Are the Bivalent Boosters? We have also enhanced our onboard medical capabilities with additional staffing and enhanced facilities. All rights reserved. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. 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. "You really should get vaccinated," added Dr. Russo. 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. Will I be required to take a COVID test to disembark the vessel? Local regulations may have booster requirements to enter certain countries make sure to check Travel Requirements by Country to understand country specific requirements. It depends. Vaccine and pretrip testing requirements can be confusing, especially if you are cruising internationally. Related: What happens if someone tests positive for COVID-19 on your cruise. 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. All Rights Reserved. Unable to cruise. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). 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. 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. Additional travel restrictions for certain nationalities or countries may arise based on the quickly evolving public health environment. 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. Cruise ships have been under the CDC's Conditional Sail Order since October 2020. When cruise lines restarted operations in summer 2021, after being banned by the CDC from operating for 15 months due to COVID-19-related safety concerns, it was with strict CDC-imposed regulations. Children under 5 leaving the U.S. or under 12 leaving Europe also dont need to test. Travel tips you can trust. This is the news weve been waiting for, said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners. Before CNET, she worked in local journalism covering public health issues, business and music. Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter. Yes. If you chose not to get a COVID-19 vaccine, can you still go on your favorite cruise vacation? Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations that continue to require vaccinations. Royal Caribbean said it still needs to complete simulation cruises before getting approval for the sailings it announced Friday. Some cruise lines encourage vaccination even though they don't require it. *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. 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. The new protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, such as Canada, Australia, and Greece. For specific country requirements, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. A couple of the factors in that unique combination are crowded spaces and tight quarters. Additional terms and conditions may apply, see our COVID- 19 Policies and Procedures and your Cruise Ticket Contract for details. These requirements will vary by country and is the responsibility of the guest and supersede our policy. 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. 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. 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends updating people on their COVID-19 vaccines before going on a cruise. For departures through 2022, proof of vaccination or certificate of recent recovery is no longer required, though testing protocols will still be in place. The family-focused cruise line has been rolling out new regulations this month. Requirements may differ for guests traveling on voyages departing from or visiting destinations with specific local regulations, such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. Its hard to say how this will affect me, advisor Adam Martindale said. Norwegian Cruise Line doesn't allow children under the age of 5 to cruise, for example, because they can't get vaccinated yet. 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. 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. This doesnt apply to select destinations where local regulations vary, including Australia. Viking will continue to do onboard testings for any passengers who report symptoms. The cruise line may also require a test at the pier, paid for by the cruise line.) 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. 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. 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. So, if you're planning your next vacation to include traveling by cruise ship, consider staying up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines. It also varies based on different rules for cruise ships or territories, and evolving guidance from the CDC. Check out our variety of itineraries. Vaccines must be approved for use by the country they are sailing from. For additional information, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since then, cruise lines around the world have been cautiously dropping their pre-embarkation requirements. 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. Many say this move has to do with the CDC not wanting to get into a legal battle with Florida, the largest cruise hub in America. For those departing Europe or for longer U.S. itineraries, self-administered tests will be accepted (with the exception of those that stop in Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Greece or New Zealand). When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Those eligible for boosters are also required to have received them. 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.. Temperature checks occur daily. Testing at home is safe, simple, and convenient. We strongly recommend that fully vaccinated guests . Guests requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test to return to their home country are directed to visit a clinic near the disembarkation terminal or airport. 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). All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. The requirement was initially going to last until Oct. 31. But this past July, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dropped its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, letting individual cruise lines set their own standards. 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 (Pfizer's vaccine was authorized for kids ages 5 to 11 at the beginning of November). Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications and remedies. All passengers age 12 and up, who completed their primary vaccine series more than five months ago, are required to be boosted. 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. The CDC director answered your questions. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters. The information in this story is accurate as of press time. 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. 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. Cruise lines have their own rules; countries have their own rules. Starting Sept. 6, vaccinated guests sailing on voyages of less than 16 days will no longer have to test .