Previously, the number was 95 percent for passengers. Unvaccinated guests are welcome with a medically supervised or self-test within three days of sailing. 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. So, if you're planning your next vacation to include traveling by cruise ship, consider staying up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines. What testing and treatment capabilities are there onboard? The family-focused cruise line has been rolling out new regulations this month. But the CDC still maintained a close watch, publishing a color-coded chart of ship outbreaks that it updated regularly. By continuing to browse the site you agree to our use of cookies. 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.. Are there any onboard activities that will not be available? To find out more, please. Do You Need To Be Vaccinated To Go on a Cruise? These rules apply to cruises of under 16 nights. Delivered on weekdays. But ever since theCOVID-19 pandemicbegan, it's understandable to wonder whether you can go on a cruise if you're not vaccinated. 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. Unvaccinated guests are permitted to sail on most MSC voyages. Under pandemic-era rules for restarting cruising, ships need to take volunteers on a test cruise to show they can mitigate the risks of covid-19. All Rights Reserved. This article was originally published in May 2022; it was most recently updated on August 17, 2022, with current information. For other agents, the business benefits remain to be seen. 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. Jessica is a writer on the Wellness team with a focus on health news. 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. 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. 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. Cruise lines have their own rules; countries have their own rules. And the CDC also recommends testing before boarding a cruise ship. 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. 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. 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. Read our. The CDC also has detailed recommendations for travel during the pandemic, both for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers as well as for cruise travel. In many cases, yes. Do I need another booster? Completed health questionnaire (prior to embarkation); Standard travel documents, including passport or any visas as required. You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. Unvaccinated guests are required to be tested. Cruisers have been patiently waiting and there is pent-up demand. 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.. However, we encourage all guests to follow the vaccination and testing guidance outlined above. 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.. 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. Local regulations may have vaccine requirements to enter certain countries make sure to checkTravel Requirements by Countryto understand country specific requirements about accepted vaccines. Viking will continue to do onboard testings for any passengers who report symptoms. Should there be an annual coronavirus booster? Should the need arise, we also have partnerships with onshore medical institutions in place to provide clinical advice and assistance as needed. 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. No precruise testing is required for vaccinated guests on sailings of five nights or less. Amazing buffets, cool amenities, and plenty of travelwhat's not to love? In addition to staying up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC recommends that people who plan to cruise do the following: Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless they're traveling from or to a destination that requires it. 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. Windstar CruisesAll passengers must be fully vaccinated. 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. How Safe Is It to Travel With Unvaccinated Children? Our Health Screening Measures (listed in section 2 below) promote health and safety onboard and help minimise the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. 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. People can also pick up pathogens from port visits and bring them back onto the ship, infecting others. What if I test positive for COVID-19 before my cruise? Self-tests are accepted in some cases, but it's best to check the specifics on the site. Starting Sept. 6, vaccinated guests sailing on voyages of less than 16 days will no longer have to test . The Greece-based company announced this week it will remove all COVID protocols for sailings starting on or after March 2, 2023, with the exception being if the local regulations of a destination deem otherwise. 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. But like the latter lines, it'll still make you show proof of one for some sailings. Once booked and on board, passengers should take the appropriate precautions, but they should also remember to have funit is a vacation!. FDA proposes switching to annual coronavirus vaccine, mimicking flu model. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidance for cruise ships will become optional this . Wash your hands frequently. How Long Does It Take for the COVID-19 Booster To Be Effective? 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? 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. All passengers must also present a negative PCR test result at the pier. 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). Children may or may not be able to cruise, depending on the ship. 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. Related: Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? If you're an adult in the US, the answer is probably not, unless you're one of the few people with a medical or religious exemption (and whether you'll be offered an exemption depends on the cruise line). 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. 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. The cruise line may also require a test at the pier, paid for by the cruise line.) We encourage all guests to file a claim with their travel insurance carrier for reimbursement inquiries. Are there any restrictions on pre-existing health conditions or limitations for guests due to COVID-19? 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. 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. In addition to requiring our crew to be up-to-date with all their vaccinations, we will continue to evolve our already robust science-backed program to broaden our cleaning, sanitation and air filtration technologies across our fleet. 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. Retesting three to five days after returning, and in particular, if symptoms have developed, is also advised, says Dr. Jasmin Valentin of Sameday Health. It also allows you to search by test type PCR or Antigen. Are children required to have a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? (Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.) Disney Cruise Line. No documentation is required to board, but disclosure is required in advance, and those who are not vaccinated do still need to show a negative result on an antigen or PCR test within three days of departure. For an easy to use online tool for locating COVID-19 testing providers around the world, please visit www.testfortravel.com. Starting March 11, 2023, proof of vaccination for sailings to or from Europe will no longer be required. Cruise ships have been under the CDC's Conditional Sail Order since October 2020. If you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider about the risks of traveling. Here's what to know about setting sail without a COVID-19 vaccination. 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? This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. 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. 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. Or will NCL offer testing onboard to meet travel requirements for guests flying back to countries that require negative COVID-19 test results to re-enter the country post cruise? 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. 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. 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. Disney Cruise Line. 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. Precruise testing is required for all guests. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. AzamaraPrecruise testing is no longer required for vaccinated guests, except in ports where testing is required. Specific destinations still require testing such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. 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. Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? The company announced the requirement as it plans. Spice up your small talk with the latest tech news, products and reviews. 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. On most sailings, kids and teens ages 17 and under do not have a vaccine requirement. Check with Carnival for specific cruise requirements. As of this month, the majority of cruise passengers are required to be both fully vaccinated and tested for COVID-19 before getting on a ship; some exceptions to the vaccination rules applied only for kids under age 12 and a very small number of adults seeking exemptions. Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations? All guests should assess their individual risk level and consult with their doctor if needed prior to sailing. This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. While some cruise lines state they'll accept medical exemptions, others do not, and it also might depend on the port. 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. 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. See the full list of vaccines approved by the WHO here. Yes, we welcome all guests to sail with us, regardless of vaccination status and age, and with no testing or masking requirements. 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. All passengers age 12 and up, who completed their primary vaccine series more than five months ago, are required to be boosted. We have improved our onboard medical capabilities with additional staffing directly related to sailing capacity, new and upgraded equipment and enhanced facilities. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. While other cruise lines may not officially require vaccinations for kids that young yet, they may in the future. Guest may also be required to present the negative results of a COVID-19 test taken prior to embarkation day. Children under 5 leaving the U.S. or under 12 leaving Europe also dont need to test. 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. 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.