Travel tips you can trust. 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. 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. 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. 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. Last week, Disney Cruise Line became the first cruise line to require passengers as young as 5 to be vaccinated for sailings starting Jan. 13. Cruise lines that don't require Covid vaccines | Cruise.Blog With that in mind, weve put together this list of cruise lines allowing unvaccinated guests to sail, as well as what the other lines currently require regarding vaccinations. COVID-19 shots are compulsory for all passengers cruising with Atlas, with proof of inoculation required before embarkation. Here's what we know about cruising unvaccinated for now. All Contents Copyright 2022 Cruise Radio, Inc. | Website Designed by Insider Perks, Inc. Get the real facts delivered straight to your inbox, with trustworthy cruise related news. When Will the Brightline to Orlando Open? Celebritys Healthy at Sea page makes it easy to track the specific requirements based on your cruises itinerary. The requirements depend on the cruise line. Do I need another booster? How do I know if there are any travel restrictions that could impact my cruise? On ocean, lakes, and expedition ships that visit Canada, there is a free COVID-19 test (antigen) at the precruise hotel check-in on the day prior to embarkation until further notice. Children under 5 leaving the U.S. or under 12 leaving Europe also dont need to test. (The only"mix and match" approach to COVID-19 vaccinesin the US applies to boosters.). A line-by-line guide. Cruise ships often have food buffets, which can be easily contaminated and lead to the rapid spread of illnesses like norovirus. Children may or may not be able to cruise, depending on the ship. Cruisers have been patiently waiting and there is pent-up demand. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Medical news, pregnancy topics and health hacks that don't cost money. 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. Many popular cruise lines have eliminated the vaccine and pre-embarkation test as the industry is beginning to shift away from mandatory vaccines and testing. The CDC director answered your questions. The Crystal Symphony. Purchasing in-home testing kits is simple. 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. Are there any restrictions on pre-existing health conditions or limitations for guests due to COVID-19? And if you're not vaccinated, it's important to check the guidelines for your cruise line. When people are in a small space, keeping distance from one another is more difficult. Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations? 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. There are a few reasons why viruses and diseases can spread quickly on cruise ships. This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. Confused about changing COVID-19 rules for cruise ships? Here's Consequently, most cruise lines opted to make masks optional. 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. 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. 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, said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, in announcing that the cruise line would be dropping its vaccine requirements as of September 6, 2022. 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. Travel Requirements by Port & Country - Norwegian Cruise Line Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test in order to embark on the second leg of a back-to-back sailing? Results need to be uploaded before boarding. Added coconut oil to cheap coffee before keto made it cool. 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. The big question is, what cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests to sail? Wash your hands frequently. 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. "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. 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. Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications and remedies. In mid-June, Viking announced that 'travelers cruising with Viking are no longer required to take a pre-cruise test. Requirements may differ for guests traveling on voyages departing from or visiting destinations with specific local regulations, such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. Do You Need To Be Vaccinated To Go on a Cruise? Have Fun. Be Safe. Guidelines | Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Cruise Line drops COVID-19 vaccine requirement for most 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. Check the U.S. State Departments detailed COVID-19 travel information and country-specific advisories, which are updated regularly. One Cruise Planners franchise owner in San Diego, Calif. has yet to record an immediate boost in bookings. Additional terms and conditions may apply, see our COVID- 19 Policies and Procedures and your Cruise Ticket Contract for details. Crystal Cruises. These 3 Cruise Lines Don't Require Vaccination Against COVID-19 Vaccine and pretrip testing requirements can be confusing, especially if you are cruising internationally. For an easy to use online tool for locating COVID-19 testing providers around the world, please visit www.testfortravel.com. READ NEXT: 18 Most Unique Cruise Ship Bars in 2022. Even so, Celestyal suggests all guests test prior to travel, regardless of vaccination status, but test results will no longer be checked next year. Check your airline's protocols around testing, mask-wearing, vaccination, or quarantining if you're flying before or after the cruise. Carnival Cruise Line is joining Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line in dropping its COVID-19 vaccine requirement.. But the CDC still maintained a close watch, publishing a color-coded chart of ship outbreaks that it updated regularly. 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. Will any countries visited during the cruise require additional testing to enter the country? This includes vaccines. The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Otherwise, you will need a booster. Starting September 2, 2022, for voyages from United States and Canadian ports, Disney Cruise Line requires that all vaccine-eligible guests (ages 12 and older) be fully vaccinated in order to cruise, including children. No, we do not currently have any restrictions or limitations for guests with pre-existing health conditions. Our Health Screening Measures (listed in section 2 below) promote health and safety onboard and help minimise the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. 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. CDC lifts some mask rules for vaccinated cruise passengers, This is it, Bayley said in the statement. Norovirus. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. All rights reserved. A couple of the factors in that unique combination are crowded spaces and tight quarters. Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters. Vessels are equipped with an onboard laboratory, which can administer Complete Blood Counts (CBC), Blood Chemistry, Coagulation tests, and Influenza tests. Vaccinations are optional. 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. Before CNET, she worked in local journalism covering public health issues, business and music. All passengers must also present a negative PCR test result at the pier. People can also pick up pathogens from port visits and bring them back onto the ship, infecting others. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. How Long Does It Take for the COVID-19 Booster To Be Effective? Remember: Vaccine exemptions and refunds are not guaranteed. Before you book -- and especially if you're looking at cruises months ahead -- it's important to consider the spread of COVID-19 in countries or ports where your ship will stop, and that's regardless of your vaccination status. Disney Cruise Line. If you feel ill in the days before your cruise, you should not travel. In a statement, the cruise lines president and CEO, Michael Bayley, thanked elected officials including Gov. 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. All guests are strongly advised to monitor current travel requirements and advisories for their home countries. So, if you're planning your next vacation to include traveling by cruise ship, consider staying up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines. Depending on the cruise line, fully vaccinated can mean having received the original series at least 14 days prior to your cruise, or the original series plus a booster shot. A cruise can be a fun way to visit certain areas of the world at a slower pace. Will all guests be required to be vaccinated prior to the cruise? 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. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. The European Union's Digital COVID Certificate, for example, includes certification of recovery from COVID-19. 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. These requirements will vary by country and is the responsibility of the guest and supersede our policy. (Unvaccinated guests will have to undergo special testing onboard to visit Spain or Greece.) Cruise Lines That Don't Require Vaccine and Pre-Cruise Testing Additional travel restrictions for certain nationalities or countries may arise based on the quickly evolving public health environment. While some cruise lines operating in Europe have been requiring all passengers to be vaccinated, the C.D.C. I need help securing a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, does NCL offer any testing services? Should there be an annual coronavirus booster? The exception are trips on the Disney Magic that depart New York City from September 30 through October 31 that may have different requirements. Can I buy travel insurance through Norwegian Cruise Line? That enables a virus to spread more easily from person to person. *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. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. Lindblad Expeditions is among the shrinking number of cruise lines that continue to require vaccination and testing. Health and safety is our top priority, and we will continue to modify our robust SailSafe program as the public health environment evolves. 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. All passengers must be vaccinated. By continuing to browse the site you agree to our use of cookies. 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. What completed travel documents do I need to board the ship? And you may have to be vaccinated or not. Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be . Guests who have symptoms of COVID-19 whilst onboard should immediately contact the onboard medical centre for further instruction. Vaccines must be approved for use by the country they are sailing from. - All other cruises still require proof of initial vaccination and a booster until further notice. 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. Some may also require pre-board testing for unvaccinated people. (If testing is required it can typically be either a PCR test or tele-health-monitored antigen test, paid for by the passenger.