The US doesn't issue certificates of recovery at this time, so telling the cruise line you already had COVID-19 won't get you a vaccine exemption. The cruise line . But ever since theCOVID-19 pandemicbegan, it's understandable to wonder whether you can go on a cruise if you're not vaccinated. 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. Consequently, most cruise lines opted to make masks optional. 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. 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. Disney Cruise Line became the first cruise line to requirepassengers as young as 5 to be vaccinated for sailings starting Jan. 13. 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. CDC Shares New Real-World Data on Updated Shots. Note: There may be additional requirements if you are traveling internationally, and the rules can changesometimes overnight. Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. 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. 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. This is the news weve been waiting for, said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners. The CDC has said vaccinated cruise passengers can remove their masks outdoors unless theyre in a crowd. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidance for cruise ships will become optional this . Before CNET, she worked in local journalism covering public health issues, business and music. Vaccination will be critical in the safe resumption of cruising . Related: What happens if someone tests positive for COVID-19 on your cruise. "You really should get vaccinated," added Dr. Russo. - 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. In mid-June, Viking announced that 'travelers cruising with Viking are no longer required to take a pre-cruise test. 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This could include but is not limited to proof of a specific negative COVID-19 test result or Booster. Related: Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? 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. Starting Sept. 6, vaccinated guests sailing on voyages of less than 16 days will no longer have to test . 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. All guests should assess their individual risk level and consult with their doctor if needed prior to sailing. Viking strongly recommends passengers receive a booster dose before departing. There are no restrictions for those under the age of 11. But now cruise lines are starting to drop those vaccine and testing requirements, making it easier for cruise-goers to sail the seas. The European Union's Digital COVID Certificate, for example, includes certification of recovery from COVID-19. Chances are if you're unvaccinated, you'll need to book a specific tour with the cruise line, such as Carnival's "bubble tour" for unvaccinated guests, which is mostly families with children who are too young to be vaccinated. Children under 5 leaving the U.S. or under 12 leaving Europe also dont need to test. One Cruise Planners franchise owner in San Diego, Calif. has yet to record an immediate boost in bookings. 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. Small ship company Windstar Cruises said Monday it also will require passengers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, The Miami Herald reported. 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. Will I have to sign a COVID-19 waiver to board a ship? Cruise ships have been under the CDC's Conditional Sail Order since October 2020. 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. 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. 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. If you feel ill in the days before your cruise, you should not travel. Its hard to say how this will affect me, advisor Adam Martindale said. 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. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. 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. Outbreak updates for international cruise ships. (The only"mix and match" approach to COVID-19 vaccinesin the US applies to boosters.). Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the cruise line said in a news release. 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. As is true for most travel restrictions these days, your ability to book a cruise may depend on your vaccination status. And the CDC also recommends testing before boarding a cruise ship. Children may or may not be able to cruise, depending on the ship. Travelers ages 11 and under will not be subject to any vaccination requirements or testing protocols. 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. While much of the travel industry has returned to a pre-pandemic state, cruising has been slower to rebound from some of the tightest restrictions over the last two and a half years. Also, crew members may work multiple voyages, passing on germs transmitted from previous passengers. The changes began shortly. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, should expect to be tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding a cruise ship. Disney also highly recommends vaccines for younger kids. A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. Ad Choices. Norwegian Cruise Line, which has not been approved to restart, has said it will initially require everyone on board to be vaccinated. It also varies based on different rules for cruise ships or territories, and evolving guidance from the CDC. 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. What if I test positive for COVID-19 before my cruise? 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. The just-announced cruises will depart from Florida, which has passed a law prohibiting companies from requiring proof of vaccination, and Texas, where lawmakers just passed a similar bill, according to the Texas Tribune. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. Disney also highly recommends vaccines for younger kids. The first is scheduled to depart Miami on July 2, with more joining the fleet through Aug. 23. I need help securing a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, does NCL offer any testing services? Carnival Cruise Line Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages except. That's hard to say because it depends on the state of the pandemic at any given time. 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. 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. Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter. Results need to be uploaded before boarding. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies.