For those ages 11 and under, a COVID-19 PCR test is required depending on the duration of the trip. The CDC still makes recommendations to the lines, but ultimately, cruise lines craft protocols as they see fit, similar to other forms of leisure travel. What other safety measures are in place: All crew members must be vaccinated for COVID-19 and the cruise line states there are vaccination requirements on board (but does not specify). Children under 12 will have no testing or vaccination requirements. Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew will be required to be vaccinated before boarding, and will be required to show physical proof prior to boarding. Call 08082394989. Furthermore, besides the cruise industry itself there are a lot of suppliers that are suffering as well.". Who needs the vaccine: The vaccine is no longer required to sail on cruises from the U.S. and Europe. Puerto. "Unvaccinated guests will be required to take one test within 3 days of departure . Where they sail: The global cruise line sails large ocean ships all around the world, from Australia to Alaska. The three latter brands said their new no-vaccine-required policies were fleetwide. Royal Caribbean drops its vaccine requirement for some cruises starting with September 5th departures, not including FL sailings. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC), which is the US federal public health agency, has been working closely with the industry to restart sailings. Your email address will not be published. Outside of the CDC's remit, sailings from several Caribbean islands, Greece and within UK waters are due to put the new safety protocols through a sterner examination in the next few weeks. Your most recent vaccine dose is on this list of EMA-approved vaccines: *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traveler's health website. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Depending on the location of the cruise a pre-departure COVID-19 test may or may not be required. TPG values it at $1,600. Travellers diarrhoea can affect travellers to any region. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. A Country-by-country Guide, Where Americans Can Travel in Asia A Country-by-country Guide. Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot. "We think it's enough to see us through during these terrible times," says Mr Fain. "Its important that all of our guests enjoy their experience at any destination while also meeting local measures.". Where they sail: Windstar operates small-ship cruises and several sailing vessels all around the globe, including to places like Central America. Beginning August 4, vaccinated passengers on Carnival company sailings that last less than six days will no longer be required to provide a negative PCR or antigen test result before boarding. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. And so we are making those steps, we feel comfortable that we will be able to continue to crew them in the way we have in the past". Many have expressed their disappointment with the health protocols as released by the CDC; for vaccinated guests, the cruise experience is as close to normal as weve seen in the last two years. The cruise line will continue to work with an advisory board to help ensure health and safety on board at all times, including the use of air filtration systems and sanitization of high touch surface areas. It stopped them in March last year after deadly outbreaks on ships such as the Grand Princess and the Diamond Princess made international headlines. Royal Caribbean International has announced plans to begin sailing six of its cruise ships out of southern U.S. ports this July and August. Saga was the first major cruise line to implement this vaccination policy. Masks are required on bus transfers, in hotels, and on excursions. Below, we break down each line's list of regulations to sail as well as what travelers need to know to plan. On July 2, Royal Caribbean plans to sail from Miami on the Freedom of the Seas to its private island, CocoCay. These Cruise Lines Will Accept At-home Covid Tests for Unvaccinated Passengers, Norwegian Cruises to Allow Unvaccinated Passengers Starting in September, These Major Cruise Lines Just Dropped COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Shorter Sailings What to Know, More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers on Board. Royal Caribbean's announcement follows other cruise lines that have already relaxed their vaccine restrictions recently. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Crystal Cruises will all require guests 18 and older to be vaccinated before boarding. Please note, currently, only guests that show a valid vaccination record can get off the ship in Grand Cayman. Cruise firm offers 999 free rooms to key workers, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. For those looking to check current COVID-19 trends onboard the CDC urges direct contact with the cruise line, and the organization will continue to monitor and offer guidelines to ships. What other safety measures are in place: Vaccinated guests do not need a pre-departure test unless local regulations such as cruises leaving from Australia, Bermuda, Canada, or Greece require it. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. To be considered fully vaccinated by the countries we visit: A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. Your most recent vaccine dose is on this list of EMA-approved vaccines: *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traveler's health website. Unvaccinated passengers can cruise with negative results from any commercially available test, including self-tests. The new updates ensure the cruise line has its protocols aligned with those specified by the CDC in the Voluntary Program for Cruise Ships, with some changes from the cruise line itself. . What other safety measures are in place: Unvaccinated guests must provide results of a COVID-19 test taken 1 to 2 days before sail date, at home tests are not accepted. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is finally doing away with its COVID-19 vaccine requirement for adults. Further, unvaccinated guests may embark with a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, subject to local regulations. "The vaccines are a way to build protection for you, your loved ones and our guests." Vaccination requirements remain in place until further notice for any homeport not mentioned above, including all Florida sailings. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Royal Caribbean has greatly relaxed its covid rules. Enrollment required. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required for some travellers, based on the countries they have recently visited. Most cases are in the Caribbean but some infections can be found in the Southern United States. Royal Caribbean Completes First Test Sailing to Resume Cruises in the U.S. Carnival Cruise Line Strengthens Mask Policy Amid Omicron Variant Spread, Disney Cruise Line Will Require Kids 5 and Older to Be Vaccinated Starting in January What to Know, Royal Caribbean required guests 16 and older to be fully vaccinated, recommended all passengers and crew get the jab, vaccinated passengers can potentially ditch their masks. Children who have received one dose (unless Johnson & Johnson) do not count as fully vaccinated. Where they sail: MSC Cruises sails large ocean cruises around the world, including throughout Europe, South America, the Persian Gulf, and the Caribbean. In another caveat, passengers on Europe sailings who aren't up to date on a COVID-19 vaccine series per European standards will need to take a COVID-19 test on board in order to get off the ship in Greece and Spain. However, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas cruises, was the first to update its vaccination requirements in addition to testing requirements. Currently cruises leaving from Bermuda, Canada, and Greece will require a test. The lack of sailings means Royal Caribbean, which has about a 25% share of the global cruise market, has lost more than $6.8bn since the pandemic began. Boosters are highly encouraged and are recommended to be administered at least one week prior to travel. 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. What Are the Entry Requirements in the Caribbean and Northern America. The new policy, which was announced as the cruise line detailed summer sailings out of Florida and Texas, will allow unvaccinated passengers to board a Royal Caribbean cruise as long as they "undergo testing and follow other protocols." What other safety measures are in place: A pre-embarkation test is no longer required for vaccinated guests on sailings nine days or less. Beyond the U.S., Victory Cruise Lines sails to Mexico's Yucatn Peninsula. Royal Caribbean wont require passengers to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 on select sailings beginning in September. Who needs the vaccine: All guests must be fully vaccinated to board a ship. Now that they dropped them, we can do business again. "Ports around the world are opening up and opening up very quickly. Vaccines will be needed to get on ships such as Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Sea, seen here in Miami in March By Jonathan Josephs Business reporter, BBC News One of the world's biggest. Self-tests are acceptable from European and U.S. ports that don't stop in Bermuda or Canada. This means that Royal Caribbean has now also removed the need for a bracelet to indicate the vaccination status. Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. Specifically, all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, can now cruise on the following itineraries as long as they meet any testing requirements to board: What do you think of the news that Royal Caribbean drops its vaccine requirement for some cruises? Monique Giese, who tracks the shipping industry for the consultancy KPMG says it's important for the industry that cruise ships do get back to sea this summer, particularly before the good weather disappears in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. It is probably considered a transpacific cruise and vaccination is required. Are There Other Health Concerns in the Caribbean and Northern America? "We are continuing to adapt our protocols to align more closely with how the rest of society and other travel and leisure businesses are operating. Plus Ups are excluded. Unvaccinated people should be allowed to sail out of Florida without feeling pressured. Who needs the vaccine: All passengers regardless of vaccination status are allowed to sail. Royal Caribbean has updated its healthy sail protocols. Unless significant changes come within the next few weeks, the health protocols as released by Royal Caribbean this week will be valid through April 14, 2022. "The combination of the vaccines and testing and contact tracing, all these kinds of protocols really helps us reach our objective, which is to make cruising safer than in your home community". Celebrity Cruises will also allow unvaccinated cruisers onboard. COVID-19 vaccines no longer will be required for Celebrity sailings from European countries with the exception of Iceland and sailings from Los Angeles. In the past few weeks the CDC has laid out detailed instructions on how cruise operators can hold trial runs to test their coronavirus protocols. Who needs the vaccine: All guests are welcome on board, but unvaccinated passengers will be required to test and may need an additional medical exemption at some ports. Virgin Voyages Becomes First Major Cruise Line to Eliminate Pre-embarkation COVID Testing in the U.S. Margaritaville at Sea Becomes Latest Cruise Line to Ease Pre-boarding COVID Testing Requirement, The CDC Will No Longer Report COVID-19 Cases on Cruises to the Public, Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Will No Longer Require Face Masks, Carnival Cruise Line to Lift Mask Requirement on Board Starting March 1, Royal Caribbean Launches Hotel Booking Platform for One-stop Trip Planning, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Will Require Passengers to Wear Masks Indoors Due to Rising Onboard Cases. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. "Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible," said Royal Caribbean's news release. Where they sail: These small-ship river cruises sail throughout Europe, Asia, South America, and down the Nile River in Egypt. They'll still be required for most passengers on sailings out of all other U.S. states including Florida, where the line has many of its biggest hubs, and several other countries. Where they sail: Margaritaville at Sea offers 3-day cruises to Grand Bahama Island departing from the port of Palm Beach. Now, Royal Caribbean has also updated its vaccination requirements for certain cruises. Royal Caribbean senses financial improvements are on the horizon. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Yes (including crew) What Are the Entry Requirements in the Caribbean and Northern America? The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. Request a call back . On Thursday, Royal Caribbean announced that it would change its vaccine policy for ships sailing from Florida to the Bahamas - including its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay - to comply. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? - Facial coverings onboard are optional.