cruise lines that do not require covid vaccine

Most cruise lines kept requirements for vaccinations and precruise testing in place, but that changed in late July, after the CDC backed off even further from its monitoring of the cruise industry. In addition to requiring our crew to be up-to-date with all their vaccinations, we will continue to evolve our already robust science-backed program to broaden our cleaning, sanitation and air filtration technologies across our fleet. The CDC has said vaccinated cruise passengers can remove their masks outdoors unless theyre in a crowd. To find out more, please. Vaccine and pretrip testing requirements can be confusing, especially if you are cruising internationally. International travel requirements and restrictions continue to evolve. If you are allowed onboard, you will need to be tested precruise, which is required for unvaccinated children as well. While much of the travel industry has returned to a pre-pandemic state, cruising has been slower to rebound from some of the tightest restrictions over the last two and a half years. Some ships can hold more than 5,400 passengers at two to a room. 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. Related: Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? Getting a COVID-19 vaccine before your cruise is not only cost effective, but it could save your life. All guests are advised to monitor and comply with applicable travel restrictions. Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages, except for itineraries that feature destinations that continue to require vaccinations. 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. What happens if I get sick whilst onboard? Last week, Disney Cruise Line became the first cruise line to require passengers as young as 5 to be vaccinated for sailings starting Jan. 13. While other cruise lines may not officially require vaccinations for kids that young yet, they may in the future. (If testing is required it can typically be either a PCR test or tele-health-monitored antigen test, paid for by the passenger. This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. All vessels will have COVID-19 testing capabilities on board and results onsite. Wash your hands frequently. Local regulations may have vaccine requirements to enter certain countries make sure to checkTravel Requirements by Countryto understand country specific requirements about accepted vaccines. Outbreak updates for international cruise ships. Regent Seven Seas CruisesAs with sister lines Norwegian and Oceania, vaccinated guests age 12 are not required to have any precruise COVID-19 testing or other protocols. CDC Shares New Real-World Data on Updated Shots. 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. The cruise line may also require a test at the pier, paid for by the cruise line.) I believe that eventually all cruise lines will drop as many restrictions as they can, Jones adds. 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. You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. 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. 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. This does not supersede country specific requirements - Travel Requirements by Country. Purchasing in-home testing kits is simple. Before CNET, she worked in local journalism covering public health issues, business and music. Still, there are exceptions. 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. If you're vaccinated, that decreases your chances of having a positive test and having to skip your trip at the last minute. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. How Safe Is It to Travel With Unvaccinated Children? Lindblad Expeditions is among the shrinking number of cruise lines that continue to require vaccination and testing. Unvaccinated guests will only need to submit a self-administered test taken within three days of sailing. Unvaccinated children five to 11 years old will no longer need the vaccine to sail. 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. (Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.) The Miami-based operator will not require passengers to be vaccinated. But the CDC still maintained a close watch, publishing a color-coded chart of ship outbreaks that it updated regularly. Starting in September, a larger number of unvaccinated travelers will be allowed onboard cruise ships both big and small on select routes but will be required to be tested for COVID first. No, we do not currently have any restrictions or limitations for guests with pre-existing health conditions. Check the U.S. State Departments detailed COVID-19 travel information and country-specific advisories, which are updated regularly. And the CDC also recommends testing before boarding a cruise ship. 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. Last week, the CDC announced new guidelines that won't require cruise lines to ask for proof of a COVID-19 vaccination from passengers. Chances are if you're unvaccinated, you'll need to book a specific tour with the cruise line, such as Carnival's "bubble tour" for unvaccinated guests, which is mostly families with children who are too young to be vaccinated. CunardAll guests age 16 and up must be vaccinated, including with booster shots. 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. And if you're not vaccinated, it's important to check the guidelines for your cruise line. According to the CDC, "cruise ship travel presents a unique combination of health concerns.". 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. Check with Seabourn for protocols on your specific sailing. Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. Will any countries visited during the cruise require additional testing to enter the country? The cruise line . Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding. 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. Cruise Lines Eliminate COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements & Pre-Cru Lindblad ExpeditionsAll passengers age 5 and older must be vaccinated. CDC lifts some mask rules for vaccinated cruise passengers, This is it, Bayley said in the statement. When Will the Brightline to Orlando Open? In mid-June, Viking announced that 'travelers cruising with Viking are no longer required to take a pre-cruise test. 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. 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. Carnival Cruise Line Only passengers on sailings to Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia, plus cruises of 16 nights or more, need to be fully vaccinated. This news is very exciting for us and our industry.. The requirements depend on the cruise line. All guests should assess their individual risk level and consult with their doctor if needed prior to sailing. Carnival Cruise Line Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail on all voyages except. 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. However, we encourage all guests to follow the vaccination and testing guidance outlined above. River cruise line Avalon Waterways is requiring that prior to sailing, passengers show proof of COVID-19 vaccination completed at least 14 days before travel, proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken no more than 72 hours before travel, or proof of recovery from a COVID-19 diagnosis within three months of travel. Present one of the following: Negative COVID-19 antigen test within 24 hours of the embarkation date. Many popular cruise lines have eliminated the vaccine and pre-embarkation test as the industry is beginning to shift away from mandatory vaccines and testing. Consequently, most cruise lines opted to make masks optional. All guests must be vaccinated to sail with Viking. The big question is, what cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests to sail? For other agents, the business benefits remain to be seen. Precruise testing is required for unvaccinated passengers. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the cruise line said in a news release. *Please note, in the event a port included as part of an itinerary requires additional COVID-19 testing in order for guests to disembark, Norwegian Cruise line will facilitate the testing onboard. No precruise testing is required for vaccinated guests on sailings of five nights or less. And documented guests ages 12 and older who are fully vaccinated (according to the destination they are embarking and/or traveling to) no longer need to be tested for the coronavirus prior to sailing. Inspired Diagnostics is a subsidiary of Inspire Health Alliance, a leader in best-in-class health services. Children as young as age 5 are now able to get vaccinated, so your ability to cruise may depend on whether you've chosen to get your child vaccinated. It turns out that you can usually board a cruise ship without being vaccinated for COVID-19. 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. C.D.C. Issues New Guidance for Cruise Lines - The New York Times The requirement was initially going to last until Oct. 31. Specific destinations still require testing such as Canada, Greece, and Bermuda. Our crew will continue to maintain our stringent hygiene protocols based upon the most up-to-date guidelines from the European Healthy Gateways, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Greek health authorities.. All passengers age 12 and up, who completed their primary vaccine series more than five months ago, are required to be boosted. One Cruise Planners franchise owner in San Diego, Calif. has yet to record an immediate boost in bookings. Vaccines must be approved for use by the country they are sailing from. Dont Delay, Wait Times Have Climbed, American Is Cutting 50,000 Summer Flights From These U.S. The Crystal Symphony. Starting September 2, 2022, for voyages from United States and Canadian ports, Disney Cruise Line requires that all vaccine-eligible guests (ages 12 and older) be fully vaccinated in order to cruise, including children. What if I test positive for COVID-19 before my cruise? Cruise giant Royal Caribbean International on Friday announced plans to bring back six more ships including some of its largest for U.S. sailings starting July 2. 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. A line-by-line guide. (Unvaccinated guests will have to undergo special testing onboard to visit Spain or Greece.) Previously, the number was 95 percent for passengers. The information in this story is accurate as of press time. Guests will no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result prior to departing home. Additional travel restrictions for certain nationalities or countries may arise based on the quickly evolving public health environment. Lets get cruising! Windstar CruisesAll passengers must be fully vaccinated. People . There are no restrictions for those under the age of 11. In many cases, yes. 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.. Are there any restrictions on pre-existing health conditions or limitations for guests due to COVID-19? Medical news, pregnancy topics and health hacks that don't cost money. The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. 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. Do I need another booster? All guests 18 and older must be vaccinated to sail, plus one booster shot if eligible. Here's what you need to know about going on a cruise if you're notvaccinatedfor COVID-19. It seems most cruise lines are following the CDC's definition of fully vaccinated, which means two weeks have passed since your second shot of Pfizer or Moderna, or since your one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot. For additional information, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country. But as noted above, some lines make exceptions to vaccination rules for young children. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications and remedies. The relaxation of protocols, coupled with continued easing of travel restrictions and the reopening to cruise in more ports around the globe are meaningfully positive for our business as it reduces friction, expands the addressable cruise market, brings variety to itineraries and provides additional catalysts on the road to recovery.. Check your airline's protocols around testing, mask-wearing, vaccination, or quarantining if you're flying before or after the cruise. Guests requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test to return to their home country are directed to visit a clinic near the disembarkation terminal or airport. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters. The cruise line continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel. How do I know if there are any travel restrictions that could impact my cruise? Our Health Screening Measures (listed in section 2 below) promote health and safety onboard and help minimise the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. Onboard medical centres are also abundantly stocked with common prescription medications, remedies, and virus-testing equipment as available. Since then, cruise lines around the world have been cautiously dropping their pre-embarkation requirements. Local regulations may have booster requirements to enter certain countries make sure to check Travel Requirements by Country to understand country specific requirements. If you chose not to get a COVID-19 vaccine, can you still go on your favorite cruise vacation? 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. These rules apply to cruises of under 16 nights. These Cruises Will Require Guests to Have COVID Vaccinations Will all guests be required to be vaccinated prior to the cruise? With eased restrictions that went into effect September 6 for most trips up to 15 nights, vaccinated passengers over the age of five no longer have to test, and unvaccinated guests can use a self-administered test within three days of departureexcept in areas where local restrictions deem otherwise (like Canada, Greece, and Australia) and on certain itineraries (like Panama Canal crossings, trans-ocean trips, and certain remote locales). Vaccination for sailings starting and ending in the U.S. is not required. Now many brand loyalists are chatting about jumping ship, so to speak, to a Norwegian company if their otherwise preferred cruise line does not also do away with vaccine requirements in the near future. 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. Please note: Anti-viral COVID-19 therapeutics are readily available onboard and will be charged to the guests' account. Viking will continue to do onboard testings for any passengers who report symptoms. This doesnt apply to select destinations where local regulations vary, including Australia. What vaccines are required to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise? Detours with locals. Cruise Lines That Don't Require Vaccine and Pre-Cruise Testing A cruise can be a fun way to visit certain areas of the world at a slower pace. Starting Sept. 6, vaccinated guests sailing on voyages of less than 16 days will no longer have to test . This includes an increase in intensive care unit capacity, new and upgraded equipment, onshore medical institution partnerships, telemedicine capabilities and additional robust consultation and treatment options. To make sure the experience remains safe only vaccinated adults will. Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations? 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. 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. Norwegian Cruise Line doesn't allow children under the age of 5 to cruise, for example, because they can't get vaccinated yet. What Cruise Lines Allow Unvaccinated Guests Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We will comply with all local regulations at all destinations we visit. 2023 Cond Nast. The family-focused cruise line has been rolling out new regulations this month. Disney Cruise Line. Unvaccinated passengers are welcome to sail on all cruises departing from Europe and the U.S. Vaccination continues to be required on voyages to or from Australia, New Zealand, and the Galapagos Islands. That enables a virus to spread more easily from person to person. That means receiving a final primary dose and an updated booster shot, which became available for people older than 12 on September 2, 2022. These Cruise Lines Are Ending Vaccine Requirements We encourage all guests to file a claim with their travel insurance carrier for reimbursement inquiries. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources. But now cruise lines are starting to drop those vaccine and testing requirements, making it easier for cruise-goers to sail the seas. In addition, guests will be required to agree to abide by all of the cruise line's health and safety protocols and acknowledge the risks associated with COVID-19 during their voyage and shoreside experiences. 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%. This is the news weve been waiting for, said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. Unvaccinated guests are welcome on most voyages, except for those that visit destinations where local regulations vary, including Australia. 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. (Note: This information is accurate as of February 7, 2023. Cruises that are 16 nights or longer may have additional requirements based on the itinerary. 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. If your cruise line does not have a specific testing requirement, get tested as close to time of cruise departure as possible (no more than 3 days before you travel). American Cruise Lines requires COVID-19 vaccine for cruises through Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This could include but is not limited to proof of a specific negative COVID-19 test result or Booster. 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. Even so, Celestyal suggests all guests test prior to travel, regardless of vaccination status, but test results will no longer be checked next year. As is true for most travel restrictions these days, your ability to book a cruise may depend on your vaccination status. 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. 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.