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.. Related: Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? Cruise ship travel. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. These regulations are continuously evolving and if an additional test is required at a port of call we will provide advanced notice to all guests. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone:(201) 902-2000. 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. Paul Gauguin CruisesVaccinations are required for all passengers over age 5. Mask Policy Masks on board are recommended but not required indoors or outdoors. A tidal wave has followed, with other cruise lines announcing similar changes. Onboard medical consultations and treatments are provided at a charge for all respiratory illnesses. Still, there are exceptions. All passengers age 12 and up, who completed their primary vaccine series more than five months ago, are required to be boosted. (Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.) If you feel ill in the days before your cruise, you should not travel. 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. To make sure the experience remains safe only vaccinated adults will. Unvaccinated passengers will need to test via a rapid or lab-based PCR or nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). 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. FDA, CDC expand Pfizer & Moderna bivalent vaccines to kids 6 months and up with Sandra Fryhofer, MD. 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.. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidance for cruise ships will become optional this . - 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. Simply enter your zip code, or city and country, and the website will display locations, contact information, and testing hours. For additional information, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. Added coconut oil to cheap coffee before keto made it cool. There are no restrictions for those under the age of 11. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations that continue to require vaccinations. No precruise testing is required for vaccinated guests on sailings of five nights or less. 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. The new protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, such as Canada, Australia, and Greece. All guests should assess their individual risk level and consult with their doctor if needed prior to sailing. Disney also highly recommends vaccines for younger kids. All passengers must be vaccinated. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The requirements depend on the cruise line. Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Destination specific requirements will still need to be met. As Guidelines Change, Heres What Its Like to Cruise Right Now, The 2023 Cruise Itineraries to Book Before They Sell Out, The Best New Cruises in the World: 2022 Hot List, These Airlines Are Finally Letting Families Sit Together, Free of Charge, A Proposed Federal Law Could Give Bumped Airline Passengers At Least $1,350 in Compensation, dropped its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, guests who are vaccinated will no longer have to take a pre-boarding antigen test. All guests 18 and older must be vaccinated to sail, plus one booster shot if eligible. 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. CDC also continues to recommend mask wearing in indoor travel settings.. Travel news, guides and tips for anyone looking to get away. Some cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, accept vaccines recommended or approved by the World Health Organization as well as the CDC. 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. Local regulations may have vaccine requirements to enter certain countries make sure to checkTravel Requirements by Countryto understand country specific requirements about accepted vaccines. 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. Unvaccinated guests are welcome on most voyages. 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. On March 19, 2021, Celebrity Cruises announced that Celebrity Millennium would begin cruises out of St. Maarten on June 5, 2021. In a statement, the cruise lines president and CEO, Michael Bayley, thanked elected officials including Gov. When Will the Brightline to Orlando Open? Unvaccinated guests are welcome on most voyages, except for those that visit destinations where local regulations vary, including Australia. Starting March 11, 2023, proof of vaccination for sailings to or from Europe will no longer be required. For departures through 2022, proof of vaccination or certificate of recent recovery is no longer required, though testing protocols will still be in place. These requirements will vary by country and is the responsibility of the guest and supersede our policy. 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. Unvaccinated children five to 11 years old will no longer need the vaccine to sail. So far, the CDC has approved nine ships for test cruises, operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. Check out our variety of itineraries. 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. Some cruise lines encourage vaccination even though they don't require it. This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. Cruise ships have been under the CDC's Conditional Sail Order since October 2020. All rights reserved. Effective for sailings 10/4/22 and beyond, all guests regardless of vaccination status are able to sail and with no testing requirements. *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. It also varies based on different rules for cruise ships or territories, and evolving guidance from the CDC. The cruise line continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel. 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. Testing at home is safe, simple, and convenient. This website uses cookies. For an easy to use online tool for locating COVID-19 testing providers around the world, please visit www.testfortravel.com. Unvaccinated guests are welcome with a medically supervised or self-test within three days of sailing. And the rules are constantly changing. The CDC also has detailed recommendations for travel during the pandemic, both for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers as well as for cruise travel. 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. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. 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. First Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and MSC Cruises all announced they would eliminate precruise testing requirements for vaccinated guests on cruises of six nights or less, while hinting that there would be additional loosening of requirements once they got the necessary approvals from the governments of countries the ships visit. Shes been on 10 cruises and counting, and her favorite onboard activities include trying out the water slides, spending time in the spas thermal suite, eating lots of food, and attending the love & marriage show. As of December 2022, if it has been at least2 monthssince their last dose, children as young as 6 months who completed the Modernaprimary series can receive one updated bivalent booster dose. Some may also require pre-board testing for unvaccinated people. Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test in order to embark on the second leg of a back-to-back sailing? 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. 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. Unvaccinated guests are permitted to sail on most MSC voyages. Fee is also hopeful that the remainder of cruise lines will follow suit soon. All departures from the U.S. that are nine nights or less dont require any testing, unless they stop in Canada or Bermuda. 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. The Crystal Symphony. 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. The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships. 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.. Since then, cruise lines around the world have been cautiously dropping their pre-embarkation requirements. Vessels are equipped with an onboard laboratory, which can administer Complete Blood Counts (CBC), Blood Chemistry, Coagulation tests, and Influenza tests. 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. Should You Test for COVID Before Your Omicron Booster? 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. I believe that eventually all cruise lines will drop as many restrictions as they can, Jones adds. A cruise can be a fun way to visit certain areas of the world at a slower pace. Self-tests are accepted in some cases, but it's best to check the specifics on the site. 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.. 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. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, should expect to be tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding a cruise ship. 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. 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. Children may or may not be able to cruise, depending on the ship. The pandemic after the pandemic: Long covid haunts millions of people. It's also important to consider who's coming with you. Do bivalent boosters work against XBB.1.5? Additionally, the following services offer a verified third party or medically supervised at home testing:eMed or BioReference-Scarlett Concierge testing service BioReference sends a trained Scarlet Health Professional to your home to collect your COVID-19 test specimen. Should there be an annual coronavirus booster? Do I need another booster? Boosters are required for those age 18 and up who completed tests more than nine months prior to the cruise. Check the U.S. State Departments detailed COVID-19 travel information and country-specific advisories, which are updated regularly. The family-focused cruise line has been rolling out new regulations this month. Starting March 11, 2023, proof of vaccination for sailings to or from Europe will no longer be required. Check your airline's protocols around testing, mask-wearing, vaccination, or quarantining if you're flying before or after the cruise. Additional travel restrictions for certain nationalities or countries may arise based on the quickly evolving public health environment. For cruises longer than 15 nights, a medically supervised COVID-19 test is required for all guests, and most passengers are required to be vaccinated. How Long Does It Take for the COVID-19 Booster To Be Effective? The world's second-largest cruise line late Friday said that effective Sept. 6 it no longer would require passengers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine for all voyages except those . The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Our award-winning onboard medical centers are fully equipped with testing and treatment capabilities if needed. Norwegian still strongly recommends that all guests be up to date on their vaccination status and test at their convenience before travel. See the full list of vaccines approved by the WHO here. Precruise testing is required for all guests. 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. 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. I will have a better idea at the end of this week.. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. 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. 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. Norwegian Cruise Line, which has not been approved to restart, has said it will initially require everyone on board to be vaccinated. Additionally, some cruise lines require unvaccinated people to present a negative test taken within a few days of boarding. 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. 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 encourage all guests to file a claim with their travel insurance carrier for reimbursement inquiries. 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). Get tested again after cruise travel. Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. COVID-19 vaccine exemptions at Carnival's Long Beach, California port will only be accepted for kids under age 12 and when "required by US federal law" due to religious beliefs or medical reasons. "You really should get vaccinated," added Dr. Russo. In mid-June, Viking announced that 'travelers cruising with Viking are no longer required to take a pre-cruise test. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters. Vaccines must be approved for use by the country they are sailing from. 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. Spice up your small talk with the latest tech news, products and reviews. As is true for most travel restrictions these days, your ability to book a cruise may depend on your vaccination status. Are there any onboard activities that will not be available? Specific destinations still require testing such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. 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. Ad Choices. But now cruise lines are starting to drop those vaccine and testing requirements, making it easier for cruise-goers to sail the seas. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. No, we do not currently have any restrictions or limitations for guests with pre-existing health conditions. Norovirus. Atlas Ocean Voyages Vaccine required? The cruise line may also require a test at the pier, paid for by the cruise line.) All guests are advised to monitor and comply with applicable travel restrictions. These rules apply to cruises of under 16 nights. Requirements may differ for guests traveling on voyages departing from or visiting destinations with specific local regulations, such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. 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? According to the CDC, "cruise ship travel presents a unique combination of health concerns.". 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. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Even so, Celestyal suggests all guests test prior to travel, regardless of vaccination status, but test results will no longer be checked next year. It turns out that you can usually board a cruise ship without being vaccinated for COVID-19. All vessels will have COVID-19 testing capabilities on board and results onsite. One Cruise Planners franchise owner in San Diego, Calif. has yet to record an immediate boost in bookings. How Safe Is It to Travel With Unvaccinated Children? This article was originally published in May 2022; it was most recently updated on August 17, 2022, with current information. Royal Caribbean said it still needs to complete simulation cruises before getting approval for the sailings it announced Friday. Read our. Will all guests be required to be vaccinated prior to the cruise? 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. Kashif J. Piracha, MD, FACP, FASN, FNKF, is a practicing physician at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. 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. did not go that far. 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. Medical news, pregnancy topics and health hacks that don't cost money. Viking will continue to do onboard testings for any passengers who report symptoms. 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. We have increased intensive care units (ICU) capacity onboard and ICUs are equipped with infusion pumps, IV treatments, cardiac monitors, defibrillators, cardiac pacemakers and ventilators. The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Affected 4 Different Cruise ShipsHere's Why Illness Can Spread so Fast at Sea. Unvaccinated guests are welcome but required to have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, subject to local regulations. Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. 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. If a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while on board, what costs are covered? 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. The requirement was initially going to last until Oct. 31. All Rights Reserved. (If testing is required it can typically be either a PCR test or tele-health-monitored antigen test, paid for by the passenger. This includes vaccines. COVID-19 shots are compulsory for all passengers cruising with Atlas, with proof of inoculation required before embarkation. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications, remedies, and virus-testing equipment as available. If you have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider about your cruise travel plans. 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. 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. Also called a "bivalent" booster, the updated booster became available for people aged 511 on October 12, 2022. If you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider about the risks of traveling. Additionally, starting this week, vaccinated passengers no longer need to test before embarking. Present one of the following: Negative COVID-19 antigen test within 24 hours of the embarkation date. Yes, we welcome all guests to sail with us, regardless of vaccination status and age, and with no testing or masking requirements. Children under 5 leaving the U.S. or under 12 leaving Europe also dont need to test. But ever since theCOVID-19 pandemicbegan, it's understandable to wonder whether you can go on a cruise if you're not vaccinated. 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. Are there any restrictions on pre-existing health conditions or limitations for guests due to COVID-19? Those eligible for boosters are also required to have received them. Cruises that are 16 nights or longer may have additional requirements based on the itinerary. In many cases, yes. 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 will no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result prior to departing home.