Self-tests are accepted in some cases, but it's best to check the specifics on the site. 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. Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test in order to embark on the second leg of a back-to-back sailing? 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. It depends. COVID-19 requirements may differ in destinations that have specific mandates, such as Canada, Greece and Bermuda. As to what percentage of his clients he thinks are unvaccinated and will be affected by this announcement, he estimates no higher than around 10%. Jessica is a writer on the Wellness team with a focus on health news. 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. 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. The world has been reopening quickly and once more, we are pleased to welcome all travelers, of all ages, to safely explore the world with comfort and ease aboard the small, luxurious ships of Oceania Cruises.. Latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Schedule an on-line proctoring consultation, Any documentation required from the country where the guest is embarking. 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. "You really should get vaccinated," added Dr. Russo. 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. Vacationers can finally plan to take their precious time off this summer and truly get away after what has been a challenging time for everyone.. Or will NCL offer testing onboard to meet travel requirements for guests flying back to countries that require negative COVID-19 test results to re-enter the country post cruise? Celebritys Healthy at Sea page makes it easy to track the specific requirements based on your cruises itinerary. 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. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. Unvaccinated guests are permitted to sail on most MSC voyages. 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. 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. 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. COVID-19 shots are compulsory for all passengers cruising with Atlas, with proof of inoculation required before embarkation. There are a few reasons why viruses and diseases can spread quickly on cruise ships. Cruise lines have their own rules; countries have their own rules. 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. These regulations are continuously evolving and if an additional test is required at a port of call we will provide advanced notice to all guests. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidance for cruise ships will become optional this . RELATED: Carnival Drops Pre-Cruise Testing & Vaccination Requirements. 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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. - All other cruises still require proof of initial vaccination and a booster until further notice. But like the latter lines, it'll still make you show proof of one for some sailings. But as noted above, some lines make exceptions to vaccination rules for young children. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. 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. Testing at home is safe, simple, and convenient. In the specific event that you have a child turning 5 during the voyage, check in with your cruise line before buying a ticket. Before your trip, you will need to review your cruise lines health and safety protocols. All guests should assess their individual risk level and consult with their doctor if needed prior to sailing. 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. And if you're not vaccinated, it's important to check the guidelines for your cruise line. Booster shots are not required. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Will any countries visited during the cruise require additional testing to enter the country? 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. The company also recently relaxed its mask-wearing policies, making them optional, even in indoor and crowded settings. Consequently, most cruise lines opted to make masks optional. 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. "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. Here's what to know about setting sail without a COVID-19 vaccination. The Miami-based operator will not require passengers to be vaccinated. Apparently, Dolven is referring to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signing into law a ban on Covid-19 "vaccine passports." That means, as of July 1, the Florida state government could. Respiratory illnesses like the flu, and COVID-19 and the common cold. However, since cruise operations have resumed, a large portion of social media comments and discussions among cruise travelers have centered around vaccinations, and COVID-19 restrictions more broadly. Are there any onboard activities that will not be available? 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. By continuing to browse the site you agree to our use of cookies. Carnival Cruise Line Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages except. We have also enhanced our onboard medical capabilities with additional staffing and enhanced facilities. Starting March 11, 2023, proof of vaccination for sailings to or from Europe will no longer be required. 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. Monitor yourself for symptoms after the trip, and isolate yourself if you have a positive test or develop symptoms. Travelers ages 11 and under will not be subject to any vaccination requirements or testing protocols. Disney Cruise Line became the first cruise line to requirepassengers as young as 5 to be vaccinated for sailings starting Jan. 13. Every ship has a team of experienced doctors and nurses trained to manage a broad range of medical conditions, including COVID-19. Lets leave the covid origin mystery to scientists, Covid, flu, RSV declining in hospitals as tripledemic threat fades. NOTE: Carnival Spirit - April 16, 2023, & September 19, 2023: These sailings do not require proof of vaccination, vaccine exemption or testing.