Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. 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. *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. 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. 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. Will any countries visited during the cruise require additional testing to enter the country? cruise lines have started setting sail again, "mix and match" approach to COVID-19 vaccines, written confirmation from their medical provider, over 10 times more likely to die from the disease, doesn't allow children under the age of 5 to cruise, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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). Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages. 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. The exception are trips on the Disney Magic that depart New York City from September 30 through October 31 that may have different requirements. Our ships have been sailing very full all summer, but there is still room for more of our loyal guests and these guidelines will make it a simpler process and make cruising accessible to those who were not able to meet the protocols we were required to follow for much of the past 14 months, said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival. *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. There are no restrictions for those under the age of 11. All departures from the U.S. that are nine nights or less dont require any testing, unless they stop in Canada or Bermuda. How Long Does It Take for the COVID-19 Booster To Be Effective? Previously, the number was 95 percent for passengers. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. As Disney Cruise Line (we, us) returns to sailing following the public health threat of COVID-19, we are changing some of our usual practices. In the specific event that you have a child turning 5 during the voyage, check in with your cruise line before buying a ticket. 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. Should there be an annual coronavirus booster? In addition to a broad set of coverage benefits, our plans cover medical expenses for illnesses, including COVID-19. Are there any onboard activities that will not be available? This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. 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. While some cruise lines state they'll accept medical exemptions, others do not, and it also might depend on the port. All Rights Reserved. Do You Need To Be Vaccinated To Go on a Cruise? However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. As of June 10, Viking highly recommends, but no longer requires, a pre-departure COVID-19 testunless one is required by the destination, Viking said in an updated statement about health and safety protocols. "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. All guests should assess their individual risk level and consult with their doctor if needed prior to sailing. This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding. This could include but is not limited to proof of a specific negative COVID-19 test result or Booster. Kashif J. Piracha, MD, FACP, FASN, FNKF, is a practicing physician at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be charged to the guests' account. Most cruise lines kept requirements for vaccinations and precruise testing in place, but that changed in late July, after the CDC backed off even further from its monitoring of the cruise industry. 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. Paul Gauguin CruisesVaccinations are required for all passengers over age 5. All guests must be vaccinated to sail with Viking. Vaccine questions, answered. Masks and social distancing are now also optional, but surgical masks are still required for the first seven days of trans-oceanic and World Tour itineraries. This article was published more than1 year ago. Vaccination for sailings starting and ending in the U.S. is not required. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. 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. Note: There may be additional requirements if you are traveling internationally, and the rules can changesometimes overnight. 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. - All other cruises still require proof of initial vaccination and a booster until further notice. 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. Added coconut oil to cheap coffee before keto made it cool. Detours with locals. Vaccinated and unvaccinated. If a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while on board, what costs are covered? Every ship has a team of experienced doctors and nurses trained to manage a broad range of medical conditions, including COVID-19. Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. Get your annual flu shot and get up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All guests are strongly advised to monitor current travel requirements and advisories for their home countries. If you chose not to get a COVID-19 vaccine, can you still go on your favorite cruise vacation? 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. 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. 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. There are still some cruise lines that have not yet indicated they will relax their COVID protocols, though their numbers are dwindling. How Safe Is It to Travel With Unvaccinated Children? 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). Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations? Boosters are required for those age 18 and up who completed tests more than nine months prior to the cruise. 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. Carnival Cruise Line was very upfront about its motivations in announcing its decision to let anyone, vaccinated or not, to come onboard most of its sailings. 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. The cruise line continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel. As to what percentage of his clients he thinks are unvaccinated and will be affected by this announcement, he estimates no higher than around 10%. Since late July, cruise lines have been further relaxing rules. Local regulations may have booster requirements to enter certain countries make sure to check Travel Requirements by Country to understand country specific requirements. Can I buy travel insurance through Norwegian Cruise Line? Our Health Screening Measures (listed in section 2 below) promote health and safety onboard and help minimise the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. Disney Cruise Line. By continuing to browse the site you agree to our use of cookies. Check with Seabourn for protocols on your specific sailing. Lindblad ExpeditionsAll passengers age 5 and older must be vaccinated. Requirements may differ for guests traveling on voyages departing from or visiting destinations with specific local regulations, such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. "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. 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. 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. Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, shopping, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Womens Health, Self, Prevention, Forbes, Daily Beast, and more. Rules may be different depending on requirements of locales visited. Remember: Vaccine exemptions and refunds are not guaranteed. 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. What happens if I get sick whilst onboard? Cruises that are 16 nights or longer may have additional requirements based on the itinerary. The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships. This includes vaccines. FDA, CDC expand Pfizer & Moderna bivalent vaccines to kids 6 months and up with Sandra Fryhofer, MD. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. CunardAll guests age 16 and up must be vaccinated, including with booster shots. FDA proposes switching to annual coronavirus vaccine, mimicking flu model. Cruise ships often have food buffets, which can be easily contaminated and lead to the rapid spread of illnesses like norovirus. You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. To find out more, please. Unvaccinated guests will only need to submit a self-administered test taken within three days of sailing. 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. 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. Fee is also hopeful that the remainder of cruise lines will follow suit soon. On August 8, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, announced it was also loosening vaccine requirements. Health and safety is our top priority, and we will continue to modify our robust SailSafe program as the public health environment evolves. Cruisers have been patiently waiting and there is pent-up demand. Passengers age 4 and under do not require a vaccination. 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. And you may have to be vaccinated or not. Disney also highly recommends vaccines for younger kids. For Europe and Tahiti, your last COVID-19 shot is now required within the last 270 days. Additionally, some cruise lines require unvaccinated people to present a negative test taken within a few days of boarding. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone:(201) 902-2000. 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). Retesting three to five days after returning, and in particular, if symptoms have developed, is also advised, says Dr. Jasmin Valentin of Sameday Health. Our CareTeam will assist with daily wellbeing check-ins . If you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider about the risks of traveling. READ NEXT: 18 Most Unique Cruise Ship Bars in 2022. 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. Norwegian Cruise Line, which has not been approved to restart, has said it will initially require everyone on board to be vaccinated. Unvaccinated passengers will need to test via a rapid or lab-based PCR or nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). The agency provided the cruise lines with greater leeway to set and monitor their own policies. Effective for sailings 10/4/22 and beyond, all guests regardless of vaccination status are able to sail and with no testing requirements. 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. Lets get cruising! Cruise lines can skip that step if they will have 95 percent of crew and passengers vaccinated. The protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, including Canada, Australia, and Greece. But the CDC still maintained a close watch, publishing a color-coded chart of ship outbreaks that it updated regularly. Here are some of the latest cruise lines that are pulling back on pandemic measures. So, if you're planning your next vacation to include traveling by cruise ship, consider staying up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines. 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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccines heavily reduce the chances that you'll become infected in the first place. Check the U.S. State Departments detailed COVID-19 travel information and country-specific advisories, which are updated regularly. 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. That's hard to say because it depends on the state of the pandemic at any given time. 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. Will I be required to take a COVID test to disembark the vessel? The family-focused cruise line has been rolling out new regulations this month. Here's what we know about cruising unvaccinated for now. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages except for those in Australia or some that are 16 nights or longer. For guests departing outside of the US who are cruising with Royal Caribbean, they may present a certificate of recovery. NAAT test (i.e., PCR) within 48 hours of embarkation date. Youll find expert advice for experienced and first-time cruisers, as well as port and destination guides. 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. The first is scheduled to depart Miami on July 2, with more joining the fleet through Aug. 23. We strongly recommend that fully vaccinated guests . 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. All rights reserved. This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. 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. The requirements depend on the cruise line. Temperature checks occur daily. Unvaccinated guests are welcome but required to have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, subject to local regulations. Precruise testing is required for all guests. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). Norwegian still strongly recommends that all guests be up to date on their vaccination status and test at their convenience before travel. Do I need another booster? The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. We will comply with all local regulations at all destinations we visit. And the rules are constantly changing. 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. CDC Shares New Real-World Data on Updated Shots. In May, the CDC scaled back slightly on its tough restrictions for cruise lines by allowing ships to declare themselves as highly vaccinated if 90 percent of passengers and at least 95 percent of crew were vaccinated. That means receiving a final primary dose and an updated booster shot, which became available for people older than 12 on September 2, 2022. 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. Guests under the age of 12 dont have any vaccination or testing requirements. 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. These rules apply to cruises of under 16 nights. This article was originally published in May 2022; it was most recently updated on August 17, 2022, with current information. Outbreak updates for international cruise ships. Royal Caribbean will require vaccinations for some. 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.. 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. Purchasing in-home testing kits is simple. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications and remedies. 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.