Royal Caribbean Drops Vaccine Requirement for Some Cruises. In a statement, it said it was working towards "the prospective resumption of passenger operations in the United States by mid-summer". Bahamas and Caribbean cruises that. A pre-travel Covid test is still required for all sailings longer than six nights. Where they sail: The brand-new cruise line is launching mini sailings from England for UK residents, and has cruises throughout the Caribbean, and transatlantic options. What Are the Entry Requirements in the Caribbean and Northern America. What other safety measures are in place: Fully-vaccinated passengers are no longer required to show proof of a negative test unless it is required of the destination. Who needs the vaccine: All guests are now welcome. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. The changes began shortly after the CDC ended a pandemic-era policy of publicly displaying COVID-19 cases onboard, different cruise lines to the public in July 2022. You received your final dose in your original vaccine series (or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson) no more than 9 months (270 days) ago, or a booster dose. A guide to every major cruise line's health requirements for safe sailing. 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. Boosters are recommended but not required. On This Page: Where they sail: These small-ship river cruises sail throughout Europe, Asia, South America, and down the Nile River in Egypt. Most cases are in the Caribbean but some infections can be found in the Southern United States. 2023 BBC. Royal Caribbean will require vaccinated guests 5 and older to take a pre-cruise test on sailings from the U.S . "If it happens on the ship you'll be treated exactly the same as you are onshore, and that will protect from this becoming a bigger outbreak.". All Royal Caribbean guests aged 12 and over must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing. . 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. Here are the pre-arrival testing requirements for the sailings that allow unvaccinated passengers onboard. 2 Aruba. COVID-19 Vaccination is no longer required to sail, with a few exceptions. In a statement sent to TPG, Royal Caribbean suggested it hoped to eventually make its new "no vaccine required" policy more universal. That is key to remember. Who needs the vaccine: The vaccine is no longer required to sail on cruises from the U.S. and Europe. You can watch Richard Fain's full interview on "Talking Business with Aaron Heslehurst" this weekend on BBC World News at Saturday 23:30 GMT, Sunday 05:30 and 16:30 GMT, Monday 06:30 GMT and 10:30 GMT and Tuesday at 12:30 GMT. In August, the company started sailing to the Bahamas with a stop at its private island, Ocean Cay. A vaccine is required for sailings visiting Canada. For now, there is no more restriction. Royal Caribbean has updated its healthy sail protocols. We want to ensure a great experience going ashore at these ports, for guests of any vaccination status, while meeting local health regulations.". Royal Caribbean has greatly relaxed its covid rules. Ships will be sailing with a minimum of 95% of guests vaccinated; however, Royal Caribbean has not decided yet on whether or not a booster will be required in the future. Find the right card for you. Asked about forgeries he replied: "We don't think many people would would even bother to do so. Richard Fain, chief executive of Royal Caribbean, told the BBC "we expect all of our guests who are eligible for a vaccine to have it". Where they sail: Celebrity Cruises sails all over the world. Drop us an anchor below to share your thoughts on this recent cruise news. Vaccinated guests aged 12 and over will no longer have any pre-cruise COVID-19 related protocols. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. If not, just leave blank, Royal Caribbean drops vaccine requirement for certain cruise ship sailings, ended its Covid-19 program for U.S. cruise ships, Where Royal Caribbean cruising is right now - December 2020, Royal Caribbean Group CEO talks about how health panel will lead to cruises resuming, Royal Caribbean will not qualify for bailout under US stimulus package, 5 things Royal Caribbean has done to boost bookings since cruises shutdown. When Royal Caribbean resumed cruises in summer 2021, vaccine requirements were in place and remained so until now. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. For passengers sailing from Canada and Bermuda, all passengers over 12 must be vaccinated. Requiring testing for unvaccinated guests on all sailings, and for vaccinated guests on sailings that are six nights or longer. What other safety measures are in place: A pre-embarkation test is no longer required for vaccinated guests on sailings nine days or less. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Starting July 2, Royal Caribbean ships will not be requiring passengers to have covid vaccines for sailings from the U.S. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. In the U.S., kids younger than 5 are exempt from testing and vaccination requirements. Mr Fain doesn't think that getting the industry fully up and running depends on the type of documents the airline industry is calling for. Where they sail: Viking sails ocean and river cruises all over the world, including throughout Europe. The US is the biggest market for the industry which has been almost completely closed down by the pandemic. Other informational resources can be accessed on theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention traveler's health websiteor by calling toll-free (877) FYI-TRIP and on theWorld Health Organization website. They made people sicker and killed many people. Royal Caribbean will cover the costs of the PCR and antigen tests. Your email address will not be published. Who needs the vaccine: Unvaccinated guests are welcome but will be required to self-test three days before cruising. "Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. In general, Royal Caribbean said guests "are strongly recommended" to have been vaccinated before boarding, and all crew will be vaccinated. Royal Caribbean's announcement follows other cruise lines that have already relaxed their vaccine restrictions recently. Plus Ups are excluded. Now, Royal Caribbean drops vaccine requirements for some cruises as well. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Now that they dropped them, we can do business again. Royal Caribbean senses financial improvements are on the horizon. "Most cruise liners operate different brands and I think that even now not all of them will survive. 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". Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. For the Galapagos. "We are working with local governments in the Eastern Caribbean to align on vaccination requirements for more itineraries. All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. NCL's policy also applies to sister brands Oceania and Regent Seven Seas. 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. The first to set sail will be the "Freedom of the Seas . Masks will be required on board indoors, and all shore excursions will be with vetted operators. What other safety measures are in place: Pre-departure testing may not be necessary depending on the port. Cruise lines have restricted their ships to only allow adults that are fully vaccinated onboard since sailings restarted in late 2020. It's why, he says, procedures will be in place to isolate any passengers who show symptoms. Other informational resources can be accessed on theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention traveler's health websiteor by calling toll-free (877) FYI-TRIP and on theWorld Health Organization website. What other safety measures are in place: Masks are recommended onboard in most indoor venues and the casinos are frequently sanitized. Unvaccinated guests aged 2 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of the sail date. What vaccines are required to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise? Each ship can perform rapid molecular tests on board. 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. On July 2, Royal Caribbean plans to sail from Miami on the Freedom of the Seas to its private island, CocoCay. Passport Health offers all the vaccinations and medications you may need to travel safely throughout the region. Where they sail: Norwegian sails big ocean cruises all around the world, including popular itineraries all throughout the Caribbean and Greece. We recommend that you check with your health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Do you know about when you'd like to sail? We strongly recommend that fully vaccinated guests also get a booster dose when they become eligible to do so. Below, we break down each line's list of regulations to sail as well as what travelers need to know to plan. 1 Dominican Republic. Vaccines have increasingly become a political flashpoint in recent months. 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. Alternatively it says sailings can resume if 98% of crew and 95% of passengers are vaccinated. All Royal Caribbean guests aged 12 and over must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing. Are There Other Health Concerns in the Caribbean and Northern America? Cruising is a global industry that, before the pandemic, was worth $150bn and supported about 1.2 million jobs. . Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is finally doing away with its COVID-19 vaccine requirement for adults. Vaccination requirements remain in place until further notice for any homeport not mentioned above, including all Florida sailings. But I was impressed at how quickly we're able to do it given a terrible market and a company with zero revenue.". Required fields are marked *. The health guidelines released this week align mostly with what Royal Caribbean had already implemented: Also Read: Royal Caribbean Provides Update to Guests Booked on Sailings to Russia. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. The Company does note that requirements may differ for guests traveling on voyages departing from or visiting destinations with specific local regulations, including but not limited to Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. Princess Cruises will also begin welcoming a small amount of unvaccinated adults onboard. Passport Health offers all the vaccinations and medications you may need to travel safely throughout the region. Royal Caribbean requires proof at certain ports, but none in Florida, and this week introduced a requirement complicating trips for the unvaccinated: those passengers must show proof of travel . For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. It only took 10s of thousands of lives to be lost for them to do it though. What other safety measures are in place: Pre-departure testing may not be necessary depending on the port. What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air (HEPA) filters and buffets have been eliminated. ", "We've actually surveyed our guests and the vast bulk of the people that have booked our cruises have already been vaccinated, and they're volunteering it, they want it. Royal Caribbean sister brand Celebrity Cruises made a similar announcement about its COVID-19 vaccine policy late Wednesday, removing its vaccine requirement effective Sept. 5 for some but not all sailings. Vaccines will be needed to get on ships such as Royal Caribbeans Navigator of the Sea, seen here in Miami in March, Royal Caribbean's CEO Richard Fain, wants to "make cruising safer than in your home community", Many unused cruise ships have become attractions, such as Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas, A lack of sailings for ships such as Harmony of the Seas has led Royal Caribbean to lose billions during the pandemic, Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Sea had to be restocked by boat in Sydney in April 2020 after Australia refused permission to dock, Carnival Cruise boss banks on safety measures, Australian officials skipped health checks on ship, How the UK's ghost cruise ships became a summer hit, Pandemic limbo angers crew on 'nightmare' cruises, The 'last cruise ship on Earth' finally comes home, type of documents the airline industry is calling for, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Mother who killed her five children euthanised, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Biden had skin cancer lesion removed - White House, US sues Exxon over nooses found at Louisiana plant. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. Beginning September 5th, 2022, all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, can now cruise on the following Celebrity Cruises sailings as long as they meet any testing requirements to board: All other sailings (and sailings departing before September 5, 2022), the old restrictions still apply. Where they sail: Lindblad Expeditions is known for its adventurous trips to hard-to-reach destinations like Antarctica and the Russian Far East, partnering with National Geographic to add to the experience. Royal Caribbean Will Not Allow Any Unvaccinated Guests Worldwide According to the statement made by Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean will not be allowing any guests onboard who have not been. Guests can feel free to enjoy the theater, spa, and gym! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended all passengers and crew get the jab before boarding, said vaccinated passengers can potentially ditch their masks, and waived the need for volunteer test sailings for cruise companies where 98% of crew and 95% of passengers are fully vaccinated. Passengers no longer have to wear masks onboard while they are indoors, and while capacities have not returned to 100% . What other safety measures are in place: Vaccinated passengers traveling on ships for less than 16 days excluding itineraries with the Panama Canal, trans-ocean, and other selected itineraries will no longer be required to test. There is so much happening in the cruise world, and that includes quite a few changes recently with Royal Caribbean, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line announced on Monday they were teaming up to create a panel of health experts, Royal Caribbean, along with other cruise lines, will not qualify for government assistance as part of theroughly $2, Since the onset of its voluntary shutdown, Royal Caribbean has been aggressive with new policies and offers meant to, This month marks exactly one year since Royal Caribbean, and the entire cruise industry, shut down due to the global, In the void of cruise ships being able to sail, there has been plenty of speculation by cruise fans on what might. Are you ready to embark on your journey to sea the world, one port at a time? Even there, the vaccine is not required unless the . Who needs the vaccine: Everyone is welcome regardless of vaccination status, passengers traveling to Bermuda or Canada are required to be vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. Royal Caribbean just announced a new collection of seven-night summer cruises to the Bahamas and Mexico, but don't consider booking a spot unless you plan on being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. ", "This means that we're transitioning to the point where everyone will be able to vacation with us while always working with our destination partners to meet their regulations. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. . 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. Royal Caribbean wont require passengers to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 on select sailings beginning in September. American Queen Voyages is known for its Mississippi River cruises as well as sailings down other U.S. rivers like the Columbia and Snake rivers, using classic paddle wheeler ships for a throwback, romantic vibe. Some countries are only. That seems unlikely to change anytime soon given the destinations. Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean, "We are collaborating with local governments throughout the Caribbean to align on vaccination requirements for additional itineraries," Royal Caribbean said in the statement. The world's largest cruise line late Wednesday said it was eliminating the requirement only for some of the itineraries it offers around the world. "Its important that all of our guests enjoy their experience at any destination while also meeting local measures.". Of the major cruise lines, Royal Caribbean has issued some of the most confusing protocol changes to date. In May, Royal Caribbean said it would require vaccinations for passengers. Norwegian Cruise Line made headlines when it announced it would end its vaccine requirement. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. Request a call back . 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. Royal Caribbean International has announced plans to begin sailing six of its cruise ships out of southern U.S. ports this July and August. No pre-travel Covid test is required; however, all visitors, regardless of vaccination status will be tested upon arrival. Who needs the vaccine: All guests must be fully vaccinated, including a booster shot at least 14 days before boarding a ship. Please note, guests who are not up to date on their vaccination per EMA standards will need to take a test onboard in order to get off the ship in Greece and Spain. It wasn't immediately clear what other protocols would be required for unvaccinated guests. The cruise line said that it would only "strongly". What other safety measures are in place: Vaccinated travelers will no longer need a negative test on sailings shorter than 10 nights. Guests that have received a booster dose will qualify regardless of the amount of time that has passed since receiving their booster. Royal Caribbean released a further update to its protocols on Wednesday, which will . Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. What other safety measures are in place: Guests no longer need a pre-embarkation test unless a specific destination requires it. Travelling outside of the Caribbean and Northern America? Virgin Voyages Becomes First Major Cruise Line to Eliminate Pre-embarkation COVID Testing in the U.S. Uniworld to Become One of the First River Cruises to Drop Vaccine Requirements next Year, Every Caribbean Island's COVID-19 Travel Policies and What You Need to Know to Plan Your Trip, Margaritaville at Sea Becomes Latest Cruise Line to Ease Pre-boarding COVID Testing Requirement, These Cruise Lines Will Require a Booster Shot to Board Starting March 1, Canada Lifts Testing Requirement for Unvaccinated Children, Will I Need a Booster Shot to Travel? Testing requirements have not been finalized, All sailings departing from the UK and Europe (with the exception of Iceland), All sailings departing from Los Angeles to Mexican Riviera. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? This cruise will be operated as a vaccinated cruise, as defined by health authorities, with guests and crew vaccination rates approaching 100%. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to bea useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises - along with all cruise lines currently operating right now - have vaccine policies in place that passengers must be aware of. "I don't think we're talking about a vaccine passport. announce an end to their COVID-19 vaccination requirements, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna,AstraZeneca, etc.,or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). Travellers diarrhoea can affect travellers to any region. 2. I am glad you brought this up because I had considered that cruise and now I will not. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Saga was the first major cruise line to implement this vaccination policy. 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. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Major cruise lines like Carnival, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean are dropping vaccine requirements and easing COVID rules for pre-boarding testing. Call 08082394989. The Cruise line also has a full list of enhanced cleaning protocols. Royal Caribbean cruises launching from Nassau, Bahamas, and Bermuda this summer will require vaccinations for passengers 18 and over. The cruise line also offers the opportunity to take the ship one way to the Bahamas to allow guests to stay at the Margaritaville resort, and then take the ship back to the Bahamas at a later date. Unvaccinated passengers will still be required to test three days prior to sailing. Cruise lines have shifted their requirements for passengers, making cruising accessible to practically everyone. Be sure to have a travellers diarrhoea prevention kit with you for your trip. I think we are talking about people who are vaccinated, and there are lots of different ways to show that". We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Brittany Chang. Who needs the vaccine: Although P&O Cruises' policy states that passengers over the age of 15 are required to be vaccinated, the latest update on its website says guests will be contacted directly in regards to vaccination protocol. Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. At least one booster is required to sail. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Carnival cruise lines are easing their pandemic-era protocol by allowing unvaccinated travelers on more sailings, as well as accepting at-home COVID-19 tests for. The vaccine does not protect you from getting Covid. The NaTHNaC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for travellers to the Caribbean and Northern America: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever and rabies. Where they sail: The UK-based cruise line sails around Europe, including to the Canary Islands, as well as to the Caribbean from Southampton in the UK. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Welcome Aboard! See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Children under 12 will have no testing or vaccination requirements. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Crystal Cruises will all require guests 18 and older to be vaccinated before boarding. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. Mr Fain concedes more cases could occur on cruise ships as things open up. Unvaccinated travelers aged 5 and older will need to take a test within 3 days of boarding. Royal Caribbean Updates to Testing Protocols Starting with August 8, 2022 departures, these updates include: Requiring testing for unvaccinated guests on all sailings, and for vaccinated guests on sailings that are six nights or longer. One important change to the onboard policies is that Royal Caribbean has removed the vaccinated and unvaccinated areas. Other brands like Carnival Cruises and MSC Cruises followed suit with very similar updates to their testing protocols as Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean Vaccine required? For guests sailing from Australia, vaccines must be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The twin announcements came just two days after Norwegian Cruise Line and sister lines Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises became the first major cruise brands to announce an end to their COVID-19 vaccination requirements. However Mr Fain think this will soon change. In many cases inoculations are recommended, but in some circumstances, they are required by the country from which your cruise departs or countries we visit. This policy goes into effect acrossNorwegian Cruise Line,Oceania Cruises, andRegent Seven Seas Cruisesfor all sailings that commence on or after September 3, 2022. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Cruising is a global industry that, before the pandemic, was . This will mean 13 of the company's 59 ships are in operation. Read about our approach to external linking. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is dropping its COVID-19 vaccine requirement but there's a catch, This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Where they sail: Azamara sails mid-size ships all over the world, to all seven continents. Depending on the location of the cruise a pre-departure COVID-19 test may or may not be required. What vaccines are required to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise? Currently cruises leaving from Bermuda, Canada, and Greece will require a test. On July 3, the Odyssey of the Seas will sail from Fort Lauderdale on 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises, followed by sailings out of Port Canaveral, Seattle, and Galveston later in the summer. Royal Caribbean drops the vaccine requirement from select U.S. homeports on departures from September 5, 2022. All rights reserved. In many cases inocul. Luggage is then disinfected before being brought onto the ship and staterooms cleaned with electrostatic fogging. The change in policy is rooted primarily in a change in policy by the U.S. government. $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Royal Caribbean says it is working to allow unvaccinated on other sailings, but they need to coordinate with other countries first. A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Travel + Leisure. Royal Caribbean wont require passengers to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 on select sailings beginning in September.
