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. Cruises that are 16 nights or longer may have additional requirements based on the itinerary. CDC also continues to recommend mask wearing in indoor travel settings.. Retesting three to five days after returning, and in particular, if symptoms have developed, is also advised, says Dr. Jasmin Valentin of Sameday Health. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the cruise line said in a news release. Here's what we know about cruising unvaccinated for now. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. 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. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. Lets get cruising! It's also important to consider who's coming with you. 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. All vessels will have COVID-19 testing capabilities on board and results onsite. 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? Also, crew members may work multiple voyages, passing on germs transmitted from previous passengers. 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. Cruisers have been patiently waiting and there is pent-up demand. Travel news, guides and tips for anyone looking to get away. FDA, CDC expand Pfizer & Moderna bivalent vaccines to kids 6 months and up with Sandra Fryhofer, MD. Can You Get Omicron and Delta COVID-19 Variants at the Same Time? A couple of the factors in that unique combination are crowded spaces and tight quarters. All rights reserved. The requirement was initially going to last until Oct. 31. Lindblad Expeditions is among the shrinking number of cruise lines that continue to require vaccination and testing. Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? 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. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications, remedies, and virus-testing equipment as available. Destination specific requirements will still need to be met. Get your annual flu shot and get up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. Small ship company Windstar Cruises said Monday it also will require passengers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, The Miami Herald reported. Do I need another booster? Children may or may not be able to cruise, depending on the ship. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. The family-focused cruise line has been rolling out new regulations this month. Temperature checks occur daily. FDA proposes switching to annual coronavirus vaccine, mimicking flu model. Royal Caribbean did not answer a question about whether its decision not to require vaccinations for passengers was a result of the states bans. 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. Also called a "bivalent" booster, the updated booster became available for people aged 511 on October 12, 2022. Testing at home is safe, simple, and convenient. Hubs, The Best Time to View D.C.s Cherry Blossoms This Year Is Sooner Than You Might Think, Low-Cost Carrier Norse Atlantic Adds London Routes From 4 U.S. Cities, Damon Dominique Believes Youre Already a Global Citizen, Stay Here Next: The Muir Hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Stay Here Next: The Alpina Gstaad in Switzerland. For other agents, the business benefits remain to be seen. On March 19, 2021, Celebrity Cruises announced that Celebrity Millennium would begin cruises out of St. Maarten on June 5, 2021. Our award-winning onboard medical centers are fully equipped with testing and treatment capabilities if needed. Check the cruise lines websites for the most up-to-date information.). 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. Boosters are required for those age 18 and up who completed tests more than nine months prior to the cruise. Carnival Cruise Line is joining Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line in dropping its COVID-19 vaccine requirement.. Many major cruise lines require anyone who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to be fully inoculated . 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. 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. The changes began shortly. The European Union's Digital COVID Certificate, for example, includes certification of recovery from COVID-19. Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be charged to the guests' account. It can be confusing to keep track of which lines require what, and in which regions unvaccinated guests can sail if there are still destination limitations. Get tested again after cruise travel. RELATED: NCLH Drops COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements, Welcomes Everyone to Sail. Additional travel restrictions for certain nationalities or countries may arise based on the quickly evolving public health environment. What testing and treatment capabilities are there onboard? Unable to cruise. So far, the CDC has approved nine ships for test cruises, operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, should expect to be tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding a cruise ship. 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. Respiratory illnesses like the flu, and COVID-19 and the common cold. The first is scheduled to depart Miami on July 2, with more joining the fleet through Aug. 23. On ocean, lakes, and expedition ships that visit Canada, there is a free COVID-19 test (antigen) at the precruise hotel check-in on the day prior to embarkation until further notice. 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. The reality is even if you booked a cruise with the assumption you were going to be on a ship where everyone is vaccinated and tested, that may no longer be the case. On most sailings, kids and teens ages 17 and under do not have a vaccine requirement. 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. Once booked and on board, passengers should take the appropriate precautions, but they should also remember to have funit is a vacation!. 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. This article was originally published in May 2022; it was most recently updated on August 17, 2022, with current information. CDC continues to recommend that cruise travelers remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines and get tested for COVID-19 before and after they travel, and after any known exposure to a person with COVID-19. It turns out that you can usually board a cruise ship without being vaccinated for COVID-19. 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. 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. Looking for a family cruise on Disney's cruise line? You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. In order to facilitate pre-cruise testing requirements, Norwegian has partnered with Inspired Diagnostics lab to ensure that guests have access to a quick, efficient and easy way to access the required FDA-approved proctored in-home antigen test prior to embarkation from the comfort of their own home. 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. While some cruise lines operating in Europe have been requiring all passengers to be vaccinated, the C.D.C. There are no restrictions for those under the age of 11. The cruise line may also require a test at the pier, paid for by the cruise line.) The CDC director answered your questions. Viking CruisesAll passengers and crew are required to be vaccinated on Vikings river and ocean shipswithout exception. Guest may also be required to present the negative results of a COVID-19 test taken prior to embarkation day. We encourage all guests to file a claim with their travel insurance carrier for reimbursement inquiries. Trips that are 16 days or longer will still require a medically supervised COVID test with written results within three days of travel.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, the companys president Gus Antorcha said in a statement last month. "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. That means receiving a final primary dose and an updated booster shot, which became available for people older than 12 on September 2, 2022. Beginning 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. NOTE: Carnival Spirit - April 16, 2023, & September 19, 2023: These sailings do not require proof of vaccination, vaccine exemption or testing. Lindblad ExpeditionsAll passengers age 5 and older must be vaccinated. Health and safety is our top priority, and we will continue to modify our robust SailSafe program as the public health environment evolves. 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. 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. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters. The added Florida requirement comes on the heels two unvaccinated passengers under age 16 tested positive for COVID on board the cruise line's Adventure of the Seas ship and after sister. Earlier this month, the Miami-based cruise line dropped vaccination requirements for passengersunless their cruise itinerary stops at ports in destinations that require the inoculation (Canada, Australia, and New Zealand for those 12 and older; Galapagos for those three and older). Carnival, for example, says it'll accept some vaccine exemptions from those ages 12 and younger, as well as adults who have "written confirmation from their medical provider" that they can't be vaccinated -- but only at their Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina and Alabama ports until the end of March 2022. I believe that eventually all cruise lines will drop as many restrictions as they can, Jones adds. 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. Before boarding, you may need to present a vaccine waiver, wear a mask, or provide a negative test. But now cruise lines are starting to drop those vaccine and testing requirements, making it easier for cruise-goers to sail the seas. The agency said that after working closely with the cruise industry for two years, it believed cruise lines had access to the necessary tools to prevent and mitigate COVID-19 onboard., While cruising poses some risk of COVID-19 transmission, consumers can make their own decisions as they would in any other setting, the agency said in a statement. Unvaccinated guests are welcome with a medically supervised or self-test within three days of sailing. Medical news, pregnancy topics and health hacks that don't cost money. Disney also highly recommends vaccines for younger kids. I need help securing a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, does NCL offer any testing services? Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. As is true for most travel restrictions these days, your ability to book a cruise may depend on your vaccination status. 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. COVID-19 requirements may differ in destinations that have specific mandates, such as Canada, Greece and Bermuda. Viking Cruises has decided to eliminate pre-voyage testing. Our Health Screening Measures (listed in section 2 below) promote health and safety onboard and help minimise the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. 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. Royal Caribbean just announced a flood of summer cruises. Here's what to know about setting sail without a COVID-19 vaccination. 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. All onboard venues and activities will be available unless staffing or other challenges onboard prevent normal operations. For an easy-to-use online tool for locating COVID-19 testing providers around the world, please visitwww.TestForTravel.com. 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.. You also might need to purchase travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage if you have an unvaccinated guest in your party and you're departing from a Florida or Texas port. Before your trip, you will need to review your cruise lines health and safety protocols. 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. Will any countries visited during the cruise require additional testing to enter the country? We have also enhanced our onboard medical capabilities with additional staffing and enhanced facilities. Travelers ages 11 and under will not be subject to any vaccination requirements or testing protocols. What completed travel documents do I need to board the ship? A cruise can be a fun way to visit certain areas of the world at a slower pace. For guests departing outside of the US who are cruising with Royal Caribbean, they may present a certificate of recovery. Check with Seabourn for protocols on your specific sailing. Cruise ships have been under the CDC's Conditional Sail Order since October 2020. 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line, 20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line, 11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog. More than 14 months after cruising restarted following a long pandemic pause, and with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) having last month ended the intense monitoring of the cruise industry that began in March 2020, major cruise lines are dropping both vaccine requirements and precruise testing of vaccinated passengers. 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. As delivering the best experience for our guests is always a top priority, after working closely with our destination partners, we anticipate that guests will be free to explore certain ports of call on their own. Unvaccinated guests will only need to submit a self-administered test taken within three days of sailing. Royal Caribbean will require vaccinations for some cruises: ships leaving Seattle for Alaska this summer, those sailing from the Bahamas and ships leaving from other international ports. To make sure the experience remains safe only vaccinated adults will. Do bivalent boosters work against XBB.1.5? It wasnt clear Friday how many people would be able to sail on each of the just-announced cruises, which will visit the Caribbean and the Bahamas. However, we encourage all guests to follow the vaccination and testing guidance outlined above. 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? Yes. Ad Choices. The protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, including Canada, Australia, and Greece. 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. If you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider about the risks of traveling. This could include but is not limited to proof of a specific negative COVID-19 test result or Booster. Completed health questionnaire (prior to embarkation); Standard travel documents, including passport or any visas as required. Here are some of the latest cruise lines that are pulling back on pandemic measures. It also varies based on different rules for cruise ships or territories, and evolving guidance from the CDC. 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. The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships. Wash your hands frequently. 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.
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