Can You Go on a Cruise Without Being Vaccinated? - Health Yes, we welcome all guests to sail with us, regardless of vaccination status and age, and with no testing or masking requirements. Do bivalent boosters work against XBB.1.5? This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. The big question is, what cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests to sail? For departures through 2022, proof of vaccination or certificate of recent recovery is no longer required, though testing protocols will still be in place. COVID-19 Cruise Health & Safety Protocols | Celebrity Cruises Cruise ships have been under the CDC's Conditional Sail Order since October 2020. 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. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. Norwegian Cruise Line doesn't allow children under the age of 5 to cruise, for example, because they can't get vaccinated yet. But even before the COVID-19 pandemic, cruise ships didn't have the best reputation for being disease-free. Cruise lines have their own rules; countries have their own rules. Are there any onboard activities that will not be available? COVID-19 shots are compulsory for all passengers cruising with Atlas, with proof of inoculation required before embarkation. We have also enhanced our onboard medical capabilities with additional staffing and enhanced facilities. 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. Kashif J. Piracha, MD, FACP, FASN, FNKF, is a practicing physician at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Celestyal also recommends all passengers over 60and guests of any age with an underlying conditionto check with their doctors first to ensure theyre fit to travel. In addition to a broad set of coverage benefits, our plans cover medical expenses for illnesses, including COVID-19. The Crystal Symphony. Inspired Diagnostics is a subsidiary of Inspire Health Alliance, a leader in best-in-class health services. Carnival Cruise Line is joining Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line in dropping its COVID-19 vaccine requirement.. Additional terms and conditions may apply, see our COVID- 19 Policies and Procedures and your Cruise Ticket Contract for details. The first is scheduled to depart Miami on July 2, with more joining the fleet through Aug. 23. CunardAll guests age 16 and up must be vaccinated, including with booster shots. 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Viking will continue to do onboard testings for any passengers who report symptoms. Those eligible for boosters are also required to have received them. 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. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for those to or from Australia and on transatlantic and transpacific cruises. Check your airline's protocols around testing, mask-wearing, vaccination, or quarantining if you're flying before or after the cruise. What happens if I get sick whilst onboard? Are children required to have a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? Guest may also be required to present the negative results of a COVID-19 test taken prior to embarkation day. Check with the cruise line for protocols on pre-board testing and vaccination. "You really should get vaccinated," added Dr. Russo. Crystal Cruises. SeabournAs of September 6, fully vaccinated passengers will no longer be required to submit a precruise COVID-19 test. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages except for those in Australia or some that are 16 nights or longer. Norwegian Cruise Line will require all passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before boarding at least through the end of the . We encourage all guests to file a claim with their travel insurance carrier for reimbursement inquiries. The CDC also has detailed recommendations for travel during the pandemic, both for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers as well as for cruise travel. 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. 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. 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. The requirements depend on the cruise line. To make sure the experience remains safe only vaccinated adults will. All departures from the U.S. that are nine nights or less dont require any testing, unless they stop in Canada or Bermuda. Starting March 11, 2023, proof of vaccination for sailings to or from Europe will no longer be required. Remember: Vaccine exemptions and refunds are not guaranteed. American Queen VoyagesOn this lines river, ocean, Great Lakes and expedition ships, all passengers are required to be vaccinated. Cruise ship travel during COVID-19. But ever since theCOVID-19 pandemicbegan, it's understandable to wonder whether you can go on a cruise if you're not vaccinated. Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? Royal Caribbean said it still needs to complete simulation cruises before getting approval for the sailings it announced Friday. 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. 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. Looking for a family cruise on Disney's cruise line? It's also important to consider who's coming with you. 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. 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. The agency provided the cruise lines with greater leeway to set and monitor their own policies. Before CNET, she worked in local journalism covering public health issues, business and music. What Cruise Lines Allow Unvaccinated Guests Earlier this month, Oceania dropped testing requirements for vaccinated passengers; unvaccinated guests need to show proof of a negative antigen or PCR test taken within 72 hours. How long will the vaccine requirement be in place for cruise passengers? So far, the CDC has approved nine ships for test cruises, operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. COVID-19 Protocols, Listed by Cruise Line | TravelAge West Our CareTeam will assist with daily wellbeing check-ins . Royal Caribbean announces cruises with no vaccine requirement - The Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications, remedies, and virus-testing equipment as available. And the rules are constantly changing. Cruise Lines Eliminate COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements & Pre-Cru For additional information, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. Previously, the number was 95 percent for passengers. (Note: This information is accurate as of February 7, 2023. Small ship company Windstar Cruises said Monday it also will require passengers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, The Miami Herald reported. What You Need to Know About Norwegian Cruise Lines Premium+ Drink Package, 12 Things to Know Before Sailing Royal Caribbean, Carnival Drops Pre-Cruise Testing & Vaccination Requirements, NCLH Drops COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements, Welcomes Everyone to Sail, Cruise News Recap | Week of February 5, 2023, Philippines Welcomes First International Cruise Ship in Three Years, Pre-Cruise Entertainment Reservations Now Available on Norwegian Cruise Line. The information in this story is accurate as of press time. 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. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Holland America LineAs of September 6, on most voyages of 15 nights or less, vaccinated guests age 5 and up do not need to be tested prior to cruising. 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. Vaccinations are optional. The cruise line continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel. 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. (The only"mix and match" approach to COVID-19 vaccinesin the US applies to boosters.). The cruise line may also require a test at the pier, paid for by the cruise line.) Get tested again after cruise travel. Guests who fail to agree to these terms and conditions will not be permitted to board. A line-by-line guide. Health Protocols & FAQs | Holland America Line Cruises Even if your particular cruise line does not have a pre-travel testing requirement, test one to three days before your trip anyway to minimize the risk to others. Vaccination for sailings starting and ending in the U.S. is not required. Precruise testing is required for all guests. Onboard medical consultations and treatments are provided at a charge for all respiratory illnesses. Cruisers have been patiently waiting and there is pent-up demand. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends updating people on their COVID-19 vaccines before going on a cruise.