Kashif J. Piracha, MD, FACP, FASN, FNKF, is a practicing physician at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Boosters are required for those age 18 and up who completed tests more than nine months prior to the cruise. Should you need to locate a testing provider prior to beginning travel or while traveling prior to your cruise, please visit TestForTravel.com, an easy-to-use online tool for locating COVID-19 testing providers around the world. This article was published more than1 year ago. So, if you're planning your next vacation to include traveling by cruise ship, consider staying up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines. 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. All onboard venues and activities will be available unless staffing or other challenges onboard prevent normal operations. Should You Test for COVID Before Your Omicron Booster? Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, FDA, CDC expand Pfizer & Moderna bivalent vaccines to kids 6 months and up with Sandra Fryhofer, MD, Outbreak updates for international cruise ships. 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. Health and safety is our top priority, and we will continue to modify our robust SailSafe program as the public health environment evolves. For additional information, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Affected 4 Different Cruise ShipsHere's Why Illness Can Spread so Fast at Sea. Paul Gauguin CruisesVaccinations are required for all passengers over age 5. It's also possible that cruise lines could ease up on their pandemic measures in the near future and stop requiring proof of vaccination for passengers. This is the news weve been waiting for, said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners. 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? 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.. CDC lifts some mask rules for vaccinated cruise passengers, This is it, Bayley said in the statement. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those eligible for boosters are also required to have received them. "We have been waiting a long time for this moment to arrive, Oceanias president and CEO Howard Sherman said in a statement. One Cruise Planners franchise owner in San Diego, Calif. has yet to record an immediate boost in bookings. Disney Cruise Line. 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). Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations? Please refer to. 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. How long will the vaccine requirement be in place for cruise 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. This article was originally published in May 2022; it was most recently updated on August 17, 2022, with current information. 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 chose not to get a COVID-19 vaccine, can you still go on your favorite cruise vacation? 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.. FDA, CDC expand Pfizer & Moderna bivalent vaccines to kids 6 months and up with Sandra Fryhofer, MD. 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. Since then, cruise lines around the world have been cautiously dropping their pre-embarkation requirements. However, we encourage all guests to follow the vaccination and testing guidance outlined above. 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. Some ships can hold more than 5,400 passengers at two to a room. Children under 5 leaving the U.S. or under 12 leaving Europe also dont need to test. 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. 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. Otherwise, you will need a booster. American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Do I need another booster? At long last, cruise lines are finally starting to drop their vaccine mandates and allow all passengers inoculated or not to sail on their ships. While some cruise lines operating in Europe have been requiring all passengers to be vaccinated, the C.D.C. Vaccination will be critical in the safe resumption of cruising . A couple of the factors in that unique combination are crowded spaces and tight quarters. In you are an unvaccinated adult, some cruise lines will now let you sail, others will not. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidance for cruise ships will become optional this . The change allowed more unvaccinated children who didnt yet qualify for a vaccine (currently those under the age of five) or had not obtained a vaccine to come onboard during the summer. The exception are trips on the Disney Magic that depart New York City from September 30 through October 31 that may have different requirements. While other cruise lines may not officially require vaccinations for kids that young yet, they may in the future. 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? In many cases, yes. All departures from the U.S. that are nine nights or less dont require any testing, unless they stop in Canada or Bermuda. Vaccinations are optional. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. 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. Will I be required to take a COVID test to disembark the vessel? Norwegian Cruise Lines 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. It also varies based on different rules for cruise ships or territories, and evolving guidance from the CDC. Before you book -- and especially if you're looking at cruises months ahead -- it's important to consider the spread of COVID-19 in countries or ports where your ship will stop, and that's regardless of your vaccination status. CunardAll guests age 16 and up must be vaccinated, including with booster shots. 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. 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). Unvaccinated people are now over 10 times more likely to get hospitalized with COVID-19 andover 10 times more likely to die from the diseasethan fully vaccinated people, according to a September CDC report. Check with Cunard for information on your specific sailing. Wash your hands frequently. 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. 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. 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. Note: There may be additional requirements if you are traveling internationally, and the rules can changesometimes overnight. The big question is, what cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests to sail? Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be charged to the guests' account. Get your annual flu shot and get up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. Remember: Vaccine exemptions and refunds are not guaranteed. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. How Long Does It Take for the COVID-19 Booster To Be Effective? 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. 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. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine before your cruise is not only cost effective, but it could save your life. Depending on the cruise line, fully vaccinated can mean having received the original series at least 14 days prior to your cruise, or the original series plus a booster shot. In mid-June, Viking announced that 'travelers cruising with Viking are no longer required to take a pre-cruise test. Our award-winning onboard medical centers are fully equipped with testing and treatment capabilities if needed. "You really should get vaccinated," added Dr. Russo. Will any countries visited during the cruise require additional testing to enter the country? Norwegian Cruise Line doesn't allow children under the age of 5 to cruise, for example, because they can't get vaccinated yet. The cruise line continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel. 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. Get tested again after cruise travel. All vessels will have COVID-19 testing capabilities on board and results onsite. In the specific event that you have a child turning 5 during the voyage, check in with your cruise line before buying a ticket. People can also pick up pathogens from port visits and bring them back onto the ship, infecting others. That enables a virus to spread more easily from person to person. 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. 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. 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. I need help securing a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, does NCL offer any testing services? That means receiving a final primary dose and an updated booster shot, which became available for people older than 12 on September 2, 2022. 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. All Rights Reserved. Spice up your small talk with the latest tech news, products and reviews. 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. 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. While the Cruise Line will assist with arranging land-based quarantine accommodations if required, payment for all expenses incurred during any mandatory isolation period, including hotel stay, is the responsibility of the guest. When Will the Brightline to Orlando Open? Lets get cruising! Monitor yourself for symptoms after the trip, and isolate yourself if you have a positive test or develop symptoms. For departures through 2022, proof of vaccination or certificate of recent recovery is no longer required, though testing protocols will still be in place. Related: What happens if someone tests positive for COVID-19 on your cruise. Unvaccinated guests are permitted to sail on most MSC voyages. CDC, FDA Investigating PotentialBut 'Unlikely'Link Between Pfizer Booster and Stroke Risk, This Year's Flu Shot Is a 'Good Match,' CDC SaysBut Cases and Hospitalizations Continue to Rise, Omicron vs. Delta: How the 2 COVID-19 Variants Compare, Omicron Boosters Could Save 90,000 Lives This WinterBut Only if People Get Them. 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. Here are some of the latest cruise lines that are pulling back on pandemic measures. And other cruise brands, such as Carnival Cruise Line, currently make way for select exemptions, but they have yet to permit them across the board. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. It depends. "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. We strongly recommend that fully vaccinated guests . But like the latter lines, it'll still make you show proof of one for some sailings. Medical news, pregnancy topics and health hacks that don't cost money. Guests who have symptoms of COVID-19 whilst onboard should immediately contact the onboard medical centre for further instruction. What happens if I get sick whilst onboard? Are children required to have a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? 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. Masks are optional in all areas. Unvaccinated guests are welcome on most voyages, except for those that visit destinations where local regulations vary, including Australia. 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. Dont Delay, Wait Times Have Climbed, American Is Cutting 50,000 Summer Flights From These U.S. did not go that far. The protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, including Canada, Australia, and Greece. 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. So far, the CDC has approved nine ships for test cruises, operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. CDC Shares New Real-World Data on Updated Shots. Heres a rundown of the basic rules for some leading cruise lines. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. Do bivalent boosters work against XBB.1.5? Will I have to sign a COVID-19 waiver to board a ship? 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. Amazing buffets, cool amenities, and plenty of travelwhat's not to love? (Unvaccinated guests will have to undergo special testing onboard to visit Spain or Greece.) Rules may be different depending on requirements of locales visited. Will all guests be required to be vaccinated prior to the cruise? Many say this move has to do with the CDC not wanting to get into a legal battle with Florida, the largest cruise hub in America. Starting Sept. 3, 2022, unvaccinated passengers ages 12 and older (or guests who cannot or decline to present proof of vaccination), need to provide a medically administrated negative PCR or antigen COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of boarding. Any information published by Cond Nast Traveler is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. 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. 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. Cruise ships have been under the CDC's Conditional Sail Order since October 2020. And as in the noncruise world, the changes in regulations are happening quickly and travelers will need to stay updated on the latest. If a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while on board, what costs are covered? They are dependent, however, on the requirements of the places they are stopping at., This means that two different itineraries on the same cruise line may not have the same rulesso its more essential than ever to check testing, vaccination, and booster requirements specifically for each departure. 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. Results need to be uploaded before boarding. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. Consequently, most cruise lines opted to make masks optional. We have also enhanced our onboard medical capabilities with additional staffing and enhanced facilities. 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. Two ships, operated by Royal Caribbean sister line Celebrity Cruises, will go straight to voyages with paying passengers since the company has said it will meet the vaccine threshold. All rights reserved. On March 19, 2021, Celebrity Cruises announced that Celebrity Millennium would begin cruises out of St. Maarten on June 5, 2021. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A tidal wave has followed, with other cruise lines announcing similar changes. See the full list of vaccines approved by the WHO here. Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter. Passengers age 4 and under do not require a vaccination. Guests will no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result prior to departing home. 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. Do You Need To Be Vaccinated To Go on a Cruise? - 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. Fee is also hopeful that the remainder of cruise lines will follow suit soon. Safety protocols for unvaccinated passengers have also not been announced. 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.