Spice up your small talk with the latest tech news, products and reviews. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. CDC also continues to recommend mask wearing in indoor travel settings.. 2023 Cond Nast. Overall, it's just better to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before going on a cruise, said Dr. Russo. Check with Seabourn for protocols on your specific sailing. 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). This includes vaccines. The cruise line may also require a test at the pier, paid for by the cruise line.) Cruisers have been patiently waiting and there is pent-up demand. Will I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? A line-by-line guide Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All rights reserved. Paul Gauguin CruisesVaccinations are required for all passengers over age 5. COVID-19 shots are compulsory for all passengers cruising with Atlas, with proof of inoculation required before embarkation. Vaccinated and unvaccinated. No precruise testing is required for vaccinated guests on sailings of five nights or less. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications, remedies, and virus-testing equipment as available. Before CNET, she worked in local journalism covering public health issues, business and music. That enables a virus to spread more easily from person to person. 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. Disney Cruise Line. 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. Royal Caribbean travel insurance required without COVID vaccine - USA TODAY All Rights Reserved. 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. There are a few reasons why viruses and diseases can spread quickly on cruise ships. And other cruise brands, such as Carnival Cruise Line, currently make way for select exemptions, but they have yet to permit them across the board. Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be charged to the guests' account. Boosters are required for those age 18 and up who completed tests more than nine months prior to the cruise. Unable to cruise. Viking River Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises require all guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before travel. I need help securing a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, does NCL offer any testing services? Viking will continue to do onboard testings for any passengers who report symptoms. Cruise Lines That Don't Require Vaccine and Pre-Cruise Testing Cruise ship travel. Detours with locals. 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. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the cruise line said in a news release. All departures from the U.S. that are nine nights or less dont require any testing, unless they stop in Canada or Bermuda. 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. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages. Our award-winning onboard medical centers are fully equipped with testing and treatment capabilities if needed. This doesnt apply to select destinations where local regulations vary, including Australia. 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. 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. In addition to a broad set of coverage benefits, our plans cover medical expenses for illnesses, including COVID-19. How Safe Is It to Travel With Unvaccinated Children? All guests should assess their individual risk level and consult with their doctor if needed prior to sailing. CDC's COVID-19 Guidance to Become Optional for Cruise Lines What to Know *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. Inspired Diagnostics is a subsidiary of Inspire Health Alliance, a leader in best-in-class health services. 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? So far, the CDC has approved nine ships for test cruises, operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. 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. 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.. And documented guests ages 12 and older who are fully vaccinated (according to the destination they are embarking and/or traveling to) no longer need to be tested for the coronavirus prior to sailing. Specific destinations still require testing such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. Earlier this month, the Miami-based cruise line dropped vaccination requirements for passengersunless their cruise itinerary stops at ports in destinations that require the inoculation (Canada, Australia, and New Zealand for those 12 and older; Galapagos for those three and older). Get tested again after cruise travel. These Cruises Will Require Guests to Have COVID Vaccinations For Europe and Tahiti, your last COVID-19 shot is now required within the last 270 days. 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). 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. In you are an unvaccinated adult, some cruise lines will now let you sail, others will not. 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. READ NEXT: 18 Most Unique Cruise Ship Bars in 2022. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding. 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. 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. Testing at home is safe, simple, and convenient. Cruise Ship Travel During COVID-19 | CDC AzamaraPrecruise testing is no longer required for vaccinated guests, except in ports where testing is required. All guests 18 and older must be vaccinated to sail, plus one booster shot if eligible. 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. 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.. In mid-June, Viking announced that 'travelers cruising with Viking are no longer required to take a pre-cruise test. 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. - All other cruises still require proof of initial vaccination and a booster until further notice. Starting March 11, 2023, proof of vaccination for sailings to or from Europe will no longer be required. COVID-19 requirements may differ in destinations that have specific mandates, such as Canada, Greece and Bermuda. The European Union's Digital COVID Certificate, for example, includes certification of recovery from COVID-19. 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. Vessels are equipped with an onboard laboratory, which can administer Complete Blood Counts (CBC), Blood Chemistry, Coagulation tests, and Influenza tests. 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. Jessica is a writer on the Wellness team with a focus on health news. Yes. This website uses cookies. All guests are required to accept the terms and conditions in our guest ticket contract. While much of the travel industry has returned to a pre-pandemic state, cruising has been slower to rebound from some of the tightest restrictions over the last two and a half years. 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. 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. Guests will no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result prior to departing home. 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. COVID-19 Protocols, Listed by Cruise Line | TravelAge West 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. For other agents, the business benefits remain to be seen. Guests who fail to agree to these terms and conditions will not be permitted to board. 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. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. 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. Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be . 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. In the specific event that you have a child turning 5 during the voyage, check in with your cruise line before buying a ticket. A cruise can be a fun way to visit certain areas of the world at a slower pace. Cruise Ship Travel | Travelers' Health | CDC The information in this story is accurate as of press time. Travel news, guides and tips for anyone looking to get away. did not go that far. FDA, CDC expand Pfizer & Moderna bivalent vaccines to kids 6 months and up with Sandra Fryhofer, MD. Monitor yourself for symptoms after the trip, and isolate yourself if you have a positive test or develop symptoms. The cruise line . Midway COVID tests and daily temperature checks have also been eliminatedhowever, there are exceptions for itineraries that include Spain, Barbados, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, and Morocco. 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. 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. The new protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, such as Canada, Australia, and Greece. Passengers age 4 and under do not require a vaccination. If you have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider about your cruise travel plans. Vaccination for sailings starting and ending in the U.S. is not required. Should You Test for COVID Before Your Omicron Booster? (Note: This information is accurate as of February 7, 2023. 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. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications and remedies. 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. Yes, we welcome all guests to sail with us, regardless of vaccination status and age, and with no testing or masking requirements. All passengers must also present a negative PCR test result at the pier. On most sailings, kids and teens ages 17 and under do not have a vaccine requirement. Can I buy travel insurance through Norwegian Cruise Line? What Cruise Lines Allow Unvaccinated Guests The company announced the requirement as it plans. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. 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.. 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. Windstar CruisesAll passengers must be fully vaccinated. 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. It depends. Unvaccinated guests will only need to submit a self-administered test taken within three days of sailing. That's hard to say because it depends on the state of the pandemic at any given time. Norwegian Cruise Line doesn't allow children under the age of 5 to cruise, for example, because they can't get vaccinated yet. All rights reserved. Here are some of the latest cruise lines that are pulling back on pandemic measures. The world has been reopening quickly and once more, we are pleased to welcome all travelers, of all ages, to safely explore the world with comfort and ease aboard the small, luxurious ships of Oceania Cruises.. No, guests will not be required to take a COVID-19 antigen test before continuing on the second leg of a back-to-back sailing unless symptomatic, unvaccinated or if a specific country requires it. 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. Disney Cruise Line. But as noted above, some lines make exceptions to vaccination rules for young children. Children may or may not be able to cruise, depending on the ship. Children as young as age 5 are now able to get vaccinated, so your ability to cruise may depend on whether you've chosen to get your child vaccinated. 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. Precruise testing is required for all guests. 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. 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. All passengers must be vaccinated. Norwegian still strongly recommends that all guests be up to date on their vaccination status and test at their convenience before travel. As is true for most travel restrictions these days, your ability to book a cruise may depend on your vaccination status. A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. Are there any restrictions on pre-existing health conditions or limitations for guests due to COVID-19? Retesting three to five days after returning, and in particular, if symptoms have developed, is also advised, says Dr. Jasmin Valentin of Sameday Health. American Medical Association. Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? Royal Caribbean Won't Require Covid-19 Vaccination To Ride U - Forbes 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. Will all guests be required to be vaccinated prior to the cruise? Medical news, pregnancy topics and health hacks that don't cost money. Royal Caribbean said it still needs to complete simulation cruises before getting approval for the sailings it announced Friday. 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. But even before the COVID-19 pandemic, cruise ships didn't have the best reputation for being disease-free. There are still some cruise lines that have not yet indicated they will relax their COVID protocols, though their numbers are dwindling. There are no restrictions for those under the age of 11. Booked guests will be provided full details specific to their port of departure before sailing, Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Lyan Sierra-Caro said in an email. Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. 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). 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. Please refer to. Lets leave the covid origin mystery to scientists, Covid, flu, RSV declining in hospitals as tripledemic threat fades. Will I have to sign a COVID-19 waiver to board a ship? The relaxation of protocols, coupled with continued easing of travel restrictions and the reopening to cruise in more ports around the globe are meaningfully positive for our business as it reduces friction, expands the addressable cruise market, brings variety to itineraries and provides additional catalysts on the road to recovery.. 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. 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. Carnival Cruise Line Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages except. NAAT test (i.e., PCR) within 48 hours of embarkation date. The protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, including Canada, Australia, and Greece. These requirements will vary by country and is the responsibility of the guest and supersede our policy. 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. 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. 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. River cruise line Avalon Waterways is requiring that prior to sailing, passengers show proof of COVID-19 vaccination completed at least 14 days before travel, proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken no more than 72 hours before travel, or proof of recovery from a COVID-19 diagnosis within three months of travel. Cruise ships will not have to require vaccinations, CDC says but some Some Cruise Lines to No Longer Require COVID Vaccines - AFAR - AFAR Media 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. Princess Cruises Removes Vaccine Requirement for Most Voyages 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. Cruises that are 16 nights or longer may have additional requirements based on the itinerary. 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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Should the need arise, we also have partnerships with onshore medical institutions in place to provide clinical advice and assistance as needed. Cruise lines that don't require Covid vaccines | Cruise.Blog 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). Carnival Cruise Line drops COVID-19 vaccine requirement for most Additionally, some cruise lines require unvaccinated people to present a negative test taken within a few days of boarding. Here's what you need to know about going on a cruise if you're notvaccinatedfor COVID-19. Check the cruise lines websites for the most up-to-date information.). These 3 Cruise Lines Don't Require Vaccination Against COVID-19 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 PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours of embarkation. CDC Shares New Real-World Data on Updated Shots. 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 only"mix and match" approach to COVID-19 vaccinesin the US applies to boosters.). Disney Cruise Line The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Affected 4 Different Cruise ShipsHere's Why Illness Can Spread so Fast at Sea. 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. Cruise lines have their own rules; countries have their own rules. Do bivalent boosters work against XBB.1.5? 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? Latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Schedule an on-line proctoring consultation, Any documentation required from the country where the guest is embarking.