Can I go on a cruise without being vaccinated or take a pre-boarding Our CareTeam will assist with daily wellbeing check-ins . 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. Boosters are required for those age 18 and up who completed tests more than nine months prior to the cruise. But now cruise lines are starting to drop those vaccine and testing requirements, making it easier for cruise-goers to sail the seas. Starting March 11, 2023, proof of vaccination for sailings to or from Europe will no longer be required. To find out more, please. 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. Guests who fail to agree to these terms and conditions will not be permitted to board. Every ship has a team of experienced doctors and nurses trained to manage a broad range of medical conditions, including COVID-19. Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing - Travel 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. 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. 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. Monitor yourself for symptoms after the trip, and isolate yourself if you have a positive test or develop symptoms. I believe that eventually all cruise lines will drop as many restrictions as they can, Jones adds. For guests departing outside of the US who are cruising with Royal Caribbean, they may present a certificate of recovery. Purchasing in-home testing kits is simple. 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. Health and safety is our top priority, and we will continue to modify our robust SailSafe program as the public health environment evolves. 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. 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.. Unvaccinated guests will only need to submit a self-administered test taken within three days of sailing. Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter. 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. I need help securing a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, does NCL offer any testing services? Can You Get Omicron and Delta COVID-19 Variants at the Same Time? Added coconut oil to cheap coffee before keto made it cool. Disney also highly recommends vaccines for younger kids. Windstar CruisesAll passengers must be fully vaccinated. Precruise testing is required for all guests. Check with Cunard for information on your specific sailing. And the CDC also recommends testing before boarding a cruise ship. All guests must be vaccinated to sail with Viking. If you're not comfortable vaccinating your child under 12, hold off on buying them a ticket or get confirmation on a timeline for requirements from your desired cruise line. Starting Sept. 3, 2022, unvaccinated passengers ages 12 and older (or guests who cannot or decline to present proof of vaccination), need to provide a medically administrated negative PCR or antigen COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of boarding. On March 19, 2021, Celebrity Cruises announced that Celebrity Millennium would begin cruises out of St. Maarten on June 5, 2021. The big question is, what cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests to sail? You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. Have Fun. Be Safe. Guidelines | Carnival Cruise Line *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. 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. The cruise line continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel. Jessica is a writer on the Wellness team with a focus on health news. Those eligible for boosters are also required to have received them. American Cruise Lines requires COVID-19 vaccine for cruises through 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. They included vaccination requirements for anyone age 12 and up (some companies such as Disney Cruise Line later went with a 5 and up requirement as vaccinations became available for younger children), precruise testing requirements, mandatory masking in public areas, social distancing, and other measures the CDC said would help contain the spread of COVID-19 on cruise ships. Guests can expect to provide the following: We are closely monitoring the evolving global public health environment and to the extent any itineraries are affected, we will notify impacted guests in a timely fashion and update our booking requirements. Check with Carnival for specific cruise requirements. The added Florida requirement comes on the heels two unvaccinated passengers under age 16 tested positive for COVID on board the cruise line's Adventure of the Seas ship and after sister. Retesting three to five days after returning, and in particular, if symptoms have developed, is also advised, says Dr. Jasmin Valentin of Sameday Health. Temperature checks occur daily. In a statement, the cruise lines president and CEO, Michael Bayley, thanked elected officials including Gov. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. 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). 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. But the CDC still maintained a close watch, publishing a color-coded chart of ship outbreaks that it updated regularly. Will I be required to take a COVID test to disembark the vessel? In many cases, yes. FDA, CDC expand Pfizer & Moderna bivalent vaccines to kids 6 months and up with Sandra Fryhofer, MD. Now many brand loyalists are chatting about jumping ship, so to speak, to a Norwegian company if their otherwise preferred cruise line does not also do away with vaccine requirements in the near future. 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. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. The CDC director answered your questions. Youll find expert advice for experienced and first-time cruisers, as well as port and destination guides. 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. Unvaccinated passengers are welcome to sail on all cruises departing from Europe and the U.S. Vaccination continues to be required on voyages to or from Australia, New Zealand, and the Galapagos Islands. Vaccinations are 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. Onboard medical consultations and treatments are provided at a charge for all respiratory illnesses. 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. Royal Caribbean Reported a COVID-19 Outbreak on the World's Biggest Cruise Ship, A US Cruise Ship Had a COVID Outbreak Even Though Full Vaccination Was RequiredHere's What You Should Know, CDC Stops Reporting COVID-19 Cases on Cruise ShipsHere's How You Can Still Stay Safe. NOTE: Carnival Spirit - April 16, 2023, & September 19, 2023: These sailings do not require proof of vaccination, vaccine exemption or testing. 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. Carnival Cruise Line Only passengers on sailings to Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia, plus cruises of 16 nights or more, need to be fully vaccinated. Our award-winning onboard medical centers are fully equipped with testing and treatment capabilities if needed. Bottom line: If you've 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. Here's what you need to know about going on a cruise if you're notvaccinatedfor COVID-19. According to the CDC, "cruise ship travel presents a unique combination of health concerns.". 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. Check out our variety of itineraries. But as noted above, some lines make exceptions to vaccination rules for young children. 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? 2023 Cond Nast. On most sailings, kids and teens ages 17 and under do not have a vaccine requirement. Present one of the following: Negative COVID-19 antigen test within 24 hours of the embarkation date. However, we encourage all guests to follow the vaccination and testing guidance outlined above. 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. "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. Celestyal also recommends all passengers over 60and guests of any age with an underlying conditionto check with their doctors first to ensure theyre fit to travel. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on most voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations with local regulations that may continue to require vaccination including Australia. All departures from the U.S. that are nine nights or less dont require any testing, unless they stop in Canada or Bermuda. The cruise lines join Saga Cruises, a company catering to passengers 50 and older, which said last month it would require all guests to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before boarding. Putting it all together: If your cruise line is even accepting medical exemptions around a COVID-19 vaccine, presenting valid proof of the exemption is critical. With Sail Safe, our industry leading Health & Safety Program, we will continue to put our guests and our crew members first by keeping everyone safe and healthy on board our ships and in the communities we visit. Disney Cruise LineBeginning September 2, for sailings departing U.S. and Canadian ports, guests ages 12 and older are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing. Also called a "bivalent" booster, the updated booster became available for people aged 511 on October 12, 2022. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages. 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). Travel news, guides and tips for anyone looking to get away. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for those to or from Australia and on transatlantic and transpacific cruises. 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. In the event you or any member of your traveling party tests positive for COVID-19 in the 10 days before your cruise departs, or at the boarding terminal, you and your traveling p. All rights reserved. How Safe Is It to Travel With Unvaccinated Children? 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. That's hard to say because it depends on the state of the pandemic at any given time. The first is scheduled to depart Miami on July 2, with more joining the fleet through Aug. 23. Norwegian Cruise Line will require all passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before boarding at least through the end of the . When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Can You Go on a Cruise Without Being Vaccinated? - Health But like the latter lines, it'll still make you show proof of one for some sailings. All passengers must be vaccinated. 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. Will any countries visited during the cruise require additional testing to enter the country? These rules apply to cruises of under 16 nights. This could include but is not limited to proof of a specific negative COVID-19 test result or Booster. And if you're not vaccinated, it's important to check the guidelines for your cruise line. In order to keep our guests as safe as possible, we highly recommend taking our company organized shore excursions as a more controlled environment for you to enjoy your time in each of the destinations. "Traveling Party" means (1) your family members living with you in the same household and (2) traveling companions assigned to your stateroom on the ship. 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. Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be . - As of Dec. 1, 2022, guests traveling with Azamara no longer need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 on sailings starting and ending in the U.S. or Europe. 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. 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. Carnival Cruise Line is joining Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line in dropping its COVID-19 vaccine requirement.. If you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider about the risks of traveling. Disney Cruise Line. If you have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider about your cruise travel plans. Earlier this month, Oceania dropped testing requirements for vaccinated passengers; unvaccinated guests need to show proof of a negative antigen or PCR test taken within 72 hours. Starting March 11, 2023, proof of vaccination for sailings to or from Europe will no longer be required. We strongly recommend that fully vaccinated guests . This news is very exciting for us and our industry.. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the cruise line said in a news release. 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. 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. What You Need to Know About Norwegian Cruise Lines Premium+ Drink Package, 12 Things to Know Before Sailing Royal Caribbean, Carnival Drops Pre-Cruise Testing & Vaccination Requirements, NCLH Drops COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements, Welcomes Everyone to Sail, Cruise News Recap | Week of February 5, 2023, Philippines Welcomes First International Cruise Ship in Three Years, Pre-Cruise Entertainment Reservations Now Available on Norwegian Cruise Line. The protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, including Canada, Australia, and Greece. Check the cruise lines websites for the most up-to-date information.). Please keep in mind that this is largely dependent on the local health authorities and the evolving regulations, which are subject to change. As of today, 90 percent of all vacationers booking with Royal Caribbean are either vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated in time for their cruise.. 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. 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. Testing at home is safe, simple, and convenient. Looking for a family cruise on Disney's cruise line? Royal Caribbean did not answer a question about whether its decision not to require vaccinations for passengers was a result of the states bans. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean International on Friday announced plans to bring back six more ships including some of its largest for U.S. sailings starting July 2. 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. Masks are no longer required. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Since then, cruise lines around the world have been cautiously dropping their pre-embarkation requirements. 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. 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. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). For additional information, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. 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. Vaccine and pretrip testing requirements can be confusing, especially if you are cruising internationally. Specific destinations still require testing such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. Our Health Screening Measures (listed in section 2 below) promote health and safety onboard and help minimise the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. 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.. Many major cruise lines require anyone who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to be fully inoculated . Amazing buffets, cool amenities, and plenty of travelwhat's not to love? With the relaxation of travel requirements around the world, were thrilled to welcome all guests back on our ships to cruise freely to the places theyve been dreaming of regardless of vaccination status and with no testing requirements. Even so, Celestyal suggests all guests test prior to travel, regardless of vaccination status, but test results will no longer be checked next year. 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. We have improved our onboard medical capabilities with additional staffing directly related to sailing capacity, new and upgraded equipment and enhanced facilities. All rights reserved. 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). This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. Celebritys Healthy at Sea page makes it easy to track the specific requirements based on your cruises itinerary. 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. The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Affected 4 Different Cruise ShipsHere's Why Illness Can Spread so Fast at Sea. 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. Local regulations may have vaccine requirements to enter certain countries make sure to checkTravel Requirements by Countryto understand country specific requirements about accepted vaccines. The agency provided the cruise lines with greater leeway to set and monitor their own policies. Viking will continue to do onboard testings for any passengers who report symptoms. Unvaccinated children five to 11 years old will no longer need the vaccine to sail. People can also pick up pathogens from port visits and bring them back onto the ship, infecting others. Crystal Cruises. did not go that far. Small ship company Windstar Cruises said Monday it also will require passengers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, The Miami Herald reported. 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. Disney Cruise Line became the first cruise line to requirepassengers as young as 5 to be vaccinated for sailings starting Jan. 13. It turns out that you can usually board a cruise ship without being vaccinated for COVID-19. 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. However, since cruise operations have resumed, a large portion of social media comments and discussions among cruise travelers have centered around vaccinations, and COVID-19 restrictions more broadly. Florida banned vaccination proof requirements. Not all cruise lines Requirements may differ for guests traveling on voyages departing from or visiting destinations with specific local regulations, such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. Guest may also be required to present the negative results of a COVID-19 test taken prior to embarkation day. To board Carnival ships, unvaccinated guests need to show a negative PCR or an antigen test within three days of boarding (self-tests are now accepted by Carnival for boarding purposes). Children under 5 leaving the U.S. or under 12 leaving Europe also dont need to test. Were thrilled that NCLH has updated their sailing guidelines to welcome unvaccinated guests and adjust testing requirements.. Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be charged to the guests' account. *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. Booster shots are not required. Respiratory illnesses like the flu, and COVID-19 and the common cold. Cruise Ship Travel | Travelers' Health | CDC 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. Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. Results need to be uploaded before boarding. If you're vaccinated, that decreases your chances of having a positive test and having to skip your trip at the last minute. 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. There are a few reasons why viruses and diseases can spread quickly on cruise ships. 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. 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. 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. Once booked and on board, passengers should take the appropriate precautions, but they should also remember to have funit is a vacation!. All Rights Reserved. The Miami-based operator will not require passengers to be vaccinated. Royal Caribbean announces cruises with no vaccine requirement - The