Now, Royal Caribbean has also updated its vaccination requirements for certain cruises. The injections were the biggest failure in my lifetime. The first to set sail will be the "Freedom of the Seas . 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. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Vaccines must be approved for use by the country they are sailing from. These Cruise Lines Just Dropped Their COVID-19 Testing Rules, Norwegian Cruises to Allow Unvaccinated Passengers Starting in September, These Major Cruise Lines Just Dropped COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Shorter Sailings What to Know, More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers on Board, These Cruise Lines Will Accept At-home Covid Tests for Unvaccinated Passengers, Canada to Drop All COVID-19 Travel Restrictions on Oct. 1 What to Know, A Country-by-country Guide to COVID-19 Entry Requirements in Europe, Where Can Americans Travel Right Now? That means it's easier than ever to get to paradise and get started on your well-deserved vacation. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. What other safety measures are in place: Pre-departure testing will not be required unless for a specific destination. Who needs the vaccine: Vaccinations are not required on most cruise itineraries, unvaccinated guests will be required to present a negative test taken within three days of embarkation. 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. "We think it's enough to see us through during these terrible times," says Mr Fain. Azamara's ships have been upgraded with new HVAC filtration systems, and EPA-certified disinfectants are used to clean the ship. Travelling outside of the Caribbean and Northern America? The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Beginning September 3, cruisers that are 12 or older who are unvaccinated or don't show proof of vaccination will be allowed onboard as long as they can show the results of a negative antigen or PCR test taken in the 72 hours before boarding. 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. 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. See the below table for more information: Embassy information for each country is available on its own destination advice page. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. 0. Your email address will not be published. Who needs the vaccine: Everyone is welcome regardless of vaccination status, passengers traveling to Bermuda or Canada are required to be vaccinated. Passports are required to travel to all regions. "Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible," said Royal Caribbean's news release. Who needs the vaccine: All guests will be required to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before boarding one of Windstar's yachts. We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. In May, Royal Caribbean said it would require vaccinations for passengers. "Unvaccinated guests will be required to take one test within 3 days of departure . 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. 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. We have 15 Pictures about Royal Caribbean reverses vaccination mandate for passengers on cruises like Alaska Cruises: Everything You Need to Know - Park West Gallery, Royal Caribbean Cruises Alaska 2022 / 2023 - Alaska Cruise Specialists and also Alaska Cruise Weather in May, June and July: What to Expect in the. Royal Caribbean has greatly relaxed its covid rules. Unvaccinated passengers can cruise with negative results from any commercially available test, including self . The Cruise line also has a full list of enhanced cleaning protocols. Where they sail: The global cruise line sails large ocean ships all around the world, from Australia to Alaska. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. Where they sail: Seabourn's mid-size luxury cruises head all around the world, from Alaska to the Caribbean. Dengue, Zika and malaria are found in various parts of the region. 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. ", Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. "The combination of the vaccines and testing and contact tracing, all these kinds of protocols really helps us reach our objective, which is to make cruising safer than in your home community". What other safety measures are in place: Luggage is then disinfected before being brought onto the ship and staterooms cleaned with electrostatic fogging. There have been outbreaks on some of the few cruises that have run around the world since the pandemic began. Royal Caribbean remains at 12 years and older currently. $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. What other safety measures are in place: Vaccinated travelers will no longer need a negative test on sailings shorter than 10 nights. 2 Aruba. Who needs the vaccine: All guests must be fully vaccinated to board a ship. Until now, Royal Caribbean only has allowed unvaccinated passengers under the age of 12 on its ships and only in limited numbers. 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. Mr Fain is hopeful that customers will be encouraged to return soon by a range of new safety measures, including reduced capacity, social distancing and enhanced cleaning processes. Norwegian Cruise Line made headlines when it announced it would end its vaccine requirement. For a full list of ports and whether they require a test guests can check online. The three latter brands said their new no-vaccine-required policies were fleetwide. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Royal Caribbean has updated its healthy sail protocols. It only took 10s of thousands of lives to be lost for them to do it though. Who needs the vaccine: All guests must be fully vaccinated, including a booster shot at least 14 days before boarding a ship. Drop us an anchor below to share your thoughts on this recent cruise news. No pre-travel Covid test is required; however, all visitors, regardless of vaccination status will be tested upon arrival. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ended its Covid-19 program for U.S. cruise ships July 18, 2022. 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. 4 U.S. Virgin Islands. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? This allowed the cruise lines to develop their own protocols, instead of it being mandated. Even those who have gone and found other jobs, say: 'Oh, I'm really happy, I can go back on board.' Royal Caribbean International is resuming cruises aimed at U.S. vacationers this summer - with a twist. 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. An exception to the new policy is for passengers boarding a ship to Alaska. All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. Anytime there are mandates, run the opposite direction, it was medical tyranny, a sad low point in humanity. In addition, even for the itineraries out of Texas and Louisiana for which vaccines no longer will be required, passengers will need to show proof of vaccination if they plan to get off the ship in Grand Cayman a common stop on sailings from those states. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is finally doing away with its COVID-19 vaccine requirement for adults. Yes (including crew) This means that Royal Caribbean has now also removed the need for a bracelet to indicate the vaccination status. The mega cruise line has recently been dabbling with vaccine mandates. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. 3 Puerto Rico. 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. Royal Caribbean drops its vaccine requirement for some cruises starting with September 5th departures, not including FL sailings. The change in policy is rooted primarily in a change in policy by the U.S. government. 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. That is key to remember. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. 5 The Bahamas. I am glad you brought this up because I had considered that cruise and now I will not. In another caveat, passengers on Europe sailings who aren't up to date on a COVID-19 vaccine series per European standards will need to take a COVID-19 test on board in order to get off the ship in Greece and Spain. What Vaccines Do I Need for the Caribbean and Northern America? Who needs the vaccine: All guests 12 and older need to be vaccinated before boarding. By continuing to browse this site, you are consenting to the use of cookies illustrated in our, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Crystal Cruises will all require guests 18 and older to be vaccinated before boarding. Guests will need to notify the reservations team at time of booking to ensure that they are counted as part of the 10% threshold. What vaccines are required to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise? Meanwhile, Hawaii is set to abolish inter-island travel restrictions,. Where they sail: Carnival sails large ships around the world, including popular trips to the Caribbean. Now, just a few days after Virgin Voyages policy change, Royal Caribbean has changed its vaccination rules. COVID-19 vaccines no longer will be required for Celebrity sailings from European countries with the exception of Iceland and sailings from Los Angeles. 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. 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. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Royal Caribbean will cover the costs of the PCR and antigen tests. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Vaccinated guests aged 12 and over will no longer have any pre-cruise COVID-19 related protocols. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Wow: Inside Amex's glistening new Centurion club in midtown Manhattan, The best places to see cherry blossoms around the US this spring, Looking back: How my points and miles strategy has changed over the years. These Cruise Lines Will Accept At-home Covid Tests for Unvaccinated Passengers, Norwegian Cruises to Allow Unvaccinated Passengers Starting in September, These Major Cruise Lines Just Dropped COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Shorter Sailings What to Know, More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers on Board. Your most recent vaccine dose is on this list of EMA-approved vaccines: *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traveler's health website. Self-administered tests are accepted. They made people sicker and killed many people. What other safety measures are in place: Testing is no longer required on any river cruise. Up until now, only unvaccinated guests under the age of 12 have been allowed on Royal Caribbean ships. What other safety measures are in place: All crew members must be vaccinated for COVID-19 and the cruise line states there are vaccination requirements on board (but does not specify). 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. However Mr Fain think this will soon change. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Princess said it will allow up to 10% of unvaccinated guests on most sailings without exemptions or vaccine status justification. Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot. Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. Enrollment required. Who needs the vaccine: Vaccinations are recommended but no longer required. 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. 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. Cruise lines have restricted their ships to only allow adults that are fully vaccinated onboard since sailings restarted in late 2020. The cruise line will continue to work with an advisory board to help ensure health and safety on board at all times, including the use of air filtration systems and sanitization of high touch surface areas. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. 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. Learn more. Beginning March 2023 the vaccine is no longer required (but strongly encouraged). Please view our advertising policy page for more information. The new protocols are in line with the voluntary program from the CDC, which includes testing requirements, vaccination requirements, and mask requirements. The new policy, which was announced as the cruise line detailed summer sailings out of Florida and Texas, will allow unvaccinated passengers to board a Royal Caribbean cruise as long as they "undergo testing and follow other protocols." - Facial coverings onboard are optional. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Alternatively it says sailings can resume if 98% of crew and 95% of passengers are vaccinated. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. 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. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. What other safety measures are in place: Vaccinated guests do not need a pre-departure test unless local regulations such as cruises leaving from Australia, Bermuda, Canada, or Greece require it. We recommend that you check with your health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. The US is the biggest market for the industry which has been almost completely closed down by the pandemic. Still, other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line allow unvaccinated minors to sail. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Rivals such as Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line have felt similar financial pain. What Are the Entry Requirements in the Caribbean and Northern America. Disney Cruise Line was the first to announce that all guests 5 years and older will now need a vaccination in order to sail after January 13, 2022. December 2020: How Covid cruise ships are navigating troubled waters. Cruise lines have shifted their requirements for passengers, making cruising accessible to practically everyone. Masks will be required on board indoors, and all shore excursions will be with vetted operators. A guide to every major cruise line's health requirements for safe sailing. Royal Caribbean International - Guests no longer need to be vaccinated nor tested to board Royal Caribbean International on most sailings. They'll still be required for most passengers on sailings out of all other U.S. states including Florida, where the line has many of its biggest hubs, and several other countries.