on December 18, 2021 Last updated: 8:21 PM ET, Sat December 18, 2021. On a cruise, Garcia said, passengers are beholden to policies set by the cruise line for long periods of time. Before taking to the seas on your next adventure, read this guide to review the updated testing mandates on all of your favorite cruise lines. The line added thatit encouragesguests to be up to date on their vaccinations and take a COVID test within three days of their sailing. Guests who are up to date on their vaccinesand havereceived a booster when eligiblecantest within threedays before sailing. and New Orleans. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, 25-Year-Old Makes $200/Hour Without a Bachelor's Degree: I Work Less Than 6 Hours a Day', Mother Arrested After Toddler Found Wandering at 3 AM in Miramar Neighborhood, That Wasn't a Meteorite in the South Florida Sky Sunday Night. Will I need to make reservations for dining and other onboard activities? OnJuly 18, theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention ended itsCOVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, and cruise lines that had opted into the program are no longer beholden to its guidance. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. A total of 356 passengers were handed 200 fines for not wearing face masks between 30 November and 21 December 2021, the Mayor of London confirms. ", The spokesperson added that the line's "health and safety measures include the routine monitoring and vaccination of all crew members and keeping them up to date with boosters, enhanced testing and treatment capabilities in our onboard medical facilities, and more.". 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Here are some ways you can continue to stay safe. Some people in England who are at high risk from COVID say they have been left out of plans to give vulnerable patients quick access to treatments. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian Say Goodbye to Pandemic Rule They can take a PCR test 72 hours prior to sailing, or an antigen test two days prior to sailing. Do I have to wear a mask at all times on the ship? After more than 2 years under a COVID cloud, the answer is yes. Anti-trans backlash against Bud Light has executives on the hot seat. That began to change in. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. The latest health figures show that hospital waiting lists in England have reached seven million, their highest since records began. Regardless of vaccination status, all guests ages 2 and up are required to show proof of a negative antigen or NAAT COVID test. In recent weeks, Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Silversea Cruises said fully vaccinated travelers would need to show only proof of negative tests for cruises six nights or longer. Four major cruise linesaredroppingtheirvaccination requirements for some sailings next month, the cruise lines said. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. Similarly, Royal Caribbeanwillwelcome all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, as wellon sailings from Los Angeles, New Orleans,Galveston, Texas, and Europe beginning Sept.5 "as long as testing requirements are met," a spokesperson told USA TODAY via email Thursday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson tells MPs he hopes to bring all of England's domestic COVID rules to an end, including the requirement for those testing positive to self-isolate, later in the month providing the . Indoor dancing, karaoke and nightclubs are no longer allowed on many ships, including the Majestic Princess, which converted its karaoke area into extra room for spa treatments. This means were transitioning to the point where everyone will be able to vacation with us., Latest on the cruise comeback: Rogue wave incident | Overboard passenger saved | Covid hits Sydney cruise | Carnival fining unruly passengers | Unvaccinated passengers welcomed | Cheap cruises | No more CDC stats | Record bookings | Rape lawsuit | Carnival fire | Passenger bill of rights | CDC drops cruise warnings | Passenger overboard | Crystal ships seized, Local guides, travel tips and the latest industry news. For a very long time (basically a year) to get on a cruise ship, you had to not only prove that you had been vaccinated, but you also had to present a negative covid test. "I think it would've helped and I think it would've probably helped people to be a little bit more mindful, just knowing thatthe restrictions were in order," she said. The operators, all part of the same parent company, also eased testing requirements for vaccinated passengers. The cruise lines plan to increase capacity over the next few months. Princess Cruises will require passengerssailing on trips 16 nights or longer to "take a supervised test within three days of embarkation (guests 5 and older)," starting Sept. 6, as well as those on full Panama Canal transits and certain other voyages. He just settled this one, DeSantis board approves suing Disney in response to lawsuit. Children 12 and older who are unvaccinated must receive a PCR or antigen test up to 72 hours before sailing. Travelers. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! Travelers may want to consider their cruise line's protocols and the length of their sailing. He is an avid outdoorsman, a proud father and die-hard Lakers fan. Three giant cruise companies are dropping vaccine requirements for some ships, following a wave of recent moves to ease pandemic-era restrictions that precluded some travelers from boarding. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Hollywood writers strike over streaming pay after talks fail, Musk said hed never settle an unjust legal case against him. We will continue to work closely with our partners around the world to develop updated protocols that provide for the continued safety of our guests and the communities we visit, better align with the travel and hospitality sector, and meet destination regulations, Royal Caribbean said in a statement last month. Royal Caribbean cruises for 2022 are nearly at 2019 levels, the company's chief financial officer, Jason Liberty, said on a recent earnings . You wont be required to assemble at a designated spot on the ship to hear the pre-departure safety instruction, also known as the safety muster drill. Instead, passengers can watch parts of the safety drill on their stateroom televisions or on a cruise ship app. Royal Caribbean drops pre-cruise testing requirement for almost all Royal Caribbean and Disney's changes come as other cruise lines have similarly dropped remaining COVID rules. England's deputy chief medical officer, Professor. Should protocols for your sailing change upon that confirmation, and you are unable to travel due to your vaccination status, Royal Caribbean will move you to a new sailing where your vaccination status is accepted or provide you a refund. A sign on the Majestic Princess cruise ship docked at the Port of L.A. says masks are required in elevators. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. All guests 5 and older are required to take an official negative COVID-19 test before embarking. It should be noted that Royal Caribbean, as well as other cruise lines, continues to work with port destinations with any changes, and will further adjust protocols as necessary. Princess Cruises will also remove vaccination requirements on "most voyages of less than 16 days so that anyone can cruise" starting Sept.6,according to a news release Friday. Royal Caribbean promises protocols for each sailing will be sent to the guest via email and on the website, no less than 30 days before you sail. Unvaccinated guests or those who do not provide proof of vaccination must present the results of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of embarkation, expect for the following destination regulations: Bermuda: a PCR test can be taken 4 days before sailing (antigen tests are not accepted). Better make your plans now. 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 . In a statement, Royal Caribbean says this change in protocols are "tomore closely align with the broader travel industry.". Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Masks are strongly recommended in all public places on cruise ships. This is a welcome simplification for many travelers, and permits more guests to set sail with the worlds largest cruise line. In a simplification to its COVID-19 health and safety protocols, Royal Caribbean International has announced that beginning on Monday, September 5, 2022, all travelers regardless of vaccination status will be welcomed aboard a greater variety of itineraries. The cruise industry suffered its biggest financial blow in decades when the COVID-19 pandemic halted most sailings for months and made nervous cruise fans think twice about booking an ocean voyage. If you are sailing on a cruise that departs on or before May 31, 2023, and test positive for COVID-19 within 5 days prior to sailing, you may be covered under our COVID-19 refund policy. These Cruise Lines Just Dropped Their COVID-19 Testing Rules Royal Caribbean and Carnival join cruises dropping some vaccine rules The company said it was "working with local governments in the Eastern Caribbean to align on vaccination requirements for more itineraries.". All guests, regardless of vaccination status, must continue to test before any cruises of 10 nights or longer, no matter where they may be sailing. Despite the shutdown, the worlds cruise lines have more than 100 new ships on order to set sail by 2027. On Celebrity Cruises, reservations can be made on the Celebrity Cruises App. The Majestic Princess, a ship designed to serve the Chinese market, made its maiden call from the Port of L.A. on Oct. 6. What are the pre-cruise testing requirements for my cruise? | Royal Vaccinated guests must continue to provide evidence of their vaccination status, either through VeriFLY or at embarkation. At least ten hospital trusts in England have declared critical incidents due to COVID, with, On the eve of changes to the rules regarding PCR tests for travellers to and from England, Transport Secretary. While vaccination is not required, guest should disclose their status during check-in to ensure we maintain a highly vaccinated. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. What to know if you're sexually assaulted on a cruise. Cruise Travel Updates | Royal Caribbean Cruises How the pandemic has changed your next cruise. On some ships, such as Carnival Cruises, unvaccinated passengers are not allowed to go onshore except with a pre-booked bubble tour, in which passengers travel with friends and family in a controlled environment.On other cruise lines, such as Holland America, shore excursions managed by the ship are strongly encouraged. They must test within three days of boarding.. Most ships are sailing at less than full capacity, partly to encourage physical distancing. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? 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 Cayman Islands Eases Entry Rules for Vaccinated Travelers, A Country-by-country Guide to COVID-19 Entry Requirements in Europe, The CDC Will No Longer Report COVID-19 Cases on Cruises to the Public, Where Can Americans Travel Right Now? Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Princess Cruises are easing their vaccination policies. Currently, many local retail pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, Publix, and Target continue to offer COVID testing in locations all across South Florida. In recent months, however, many cruise lines have altered requirements to become more lenient on pre-boarding testing regulations. The Checkup With Dr. Wen: Who should get a second bivalent booster? "Whatever the ship, homeport or itinerary that works for you, our great onboard team is ready to deliver a fun vacation something we all look forward to even more nowadays!". All guests 12 and upmust be vaccinated, according to the cruise line'swebsite. Cruises 6 days or more: All guests are required to take an official COVID-19 test before boarding. The new rule will go into effect starting Nov. 14. Royal Caribbean had opened the door for unvaccinated adults to sail with them from select homeports, but the line updated the policy on Monday to open up more sailings. Carnival similarly has dropped both vaccine and testing rules for all travelers on cruises that are 15 nights or less. The rule change comes just days after Carnival dropped pre-embarkation testing for vaccinated passengers on cruises that are five days or less and months after the company lifted mask requirements in March. Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. Data shows that 6.6% of teachers in England, roughly one in 12, were absent from schools in England during the first week of the winter term. More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers - Leisure No way, experts say. The streamlined rules come days after Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Oceania Cruises all said they would drop pandemic-era vaccination requirements in September. How have boarding, dining and other activities on board changed? Guestsages 12 and older who are unvaccinated or do not show proof of vaccination will still need to test within 72 hours before boarding. This page was last edited on 30 April 2023, at 11:34. 24 January The UK and Scottish Governments announce that double vaccinated people arriving in England and Scotland will no longer be required to take COVID tests from 11 February. Currently, the cruise line requires all unvaccinated guests to get tested one to two days before they sail. If not, just leave blank, Royal Caribbean updates Covid protocols to open more sailings to unvaccinated cruisers, Cruise industry calls on CDC to let cruise ships sail again, Royal Caribbean UK Boss: UK only cruises have "limited appeal", Two crew members with coronavirus evacuated from Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean cancels cruises on 4 cruise ships for a few weeks due to Covid-19, Royal Caribbean's online check-in requires a negative covid test before arriving to the cruise terminal, Top 8 things you should know about Royal Caribbean's 125% onboard credit offer, Any cruise on Oasis of the Seas from Cape Liberty, (Note: Guests that 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). To be eligible, guests must meet the following requirements: . 2) (England) Regulations 2020, The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (England) Regulations 2021, The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Entry to Venues and Events) (England) Regulations 2021, Coronavirus, Restrictions (All Tiers and Self-Isolation) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021, New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group, Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_COVID-19_pandemic_in_England_(2022)&oldid=1152464716, Timelines of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom by country, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. William Prather took a 10-nightEuropean cruise from Amsterdam on Norwegian's new Prima ship on Sept. 3, the date the line began welcoming unvaccinated passengers and eased testing rulesfor unvaccinated guests on many sailings. The cruise line continues to practice health and safety measures that exceed other types of vacations, a press release announcing todays changes read. Cruise COVID Testing Rules For Vaccinated, Unvaccinated Travelers - NBC Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Cruise Travel Updates | Royal Caribbean Cruises Sign In Find a Cruise FAQ Royal Caribbean Blog Royal Caribbean Group Back to Main Menu TRAVEL & ITINERARY UPDATES There are currently no travel updates. 15 February Figures indicate the number of children being home-schooled in England has risen by 34% since the start of the pandemic. Many other lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Holland America Line havemade similar changes. These Cruise Lines Will Accept At-home Covid Tests for Unvaccinated Passengers, More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers on Board, 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. Is the cruise industry coming back? Carnival Cruise Line will require testing for vaccinated passengers only on trips 16 nights or longer or where local rules mandate it, such as on sailings to Canada and Bermuda, starting on Sept. 6, according to a press release.