DeSantis has stated many times that allowing private businesses to require 'vaccine passports' for Floridians taking part in everyday life - attending sporting events, dining at restaurants, or even going on cruises - would create two unequal classes of citizens based on vaccination status," Pushaw wrote in her statement to Insider. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Covid-19 guidance will soon become optional for many cruise ship lines. Registered in England and Wales. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited. Fortunately, the CDC has also indicated that it is evaluating the situation, which may lead to welcome changes for cruise travelers. But that's what travel in general is, and people are used to that. The vaccination policy for Cunard passengers remains the same. Children 5 and under are not . Looking at 2022, it's likely that cruise lines will continue to require crew to be vaccinated. He joined the Post in May 2021. Copyright 2023. The same date applies for Disney Fantasy, sailing from Port Canaveral, visiting Tortola, St Thomas, and Castaway Cay. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian all require anyone 12 and older sailing on their ships to be fully vaccinated. Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity mentioned herein. Disney Cruise Line adheres to local laws, regulations and protocols in place at all homeports and ports of call . But Gottlieb does have a timetable in which he expects the agency to act. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises will soon lift vaccination mandates for many cruises and ease testing, while Cunard is easing testing. Receive full access to our market insights, commentary, newsletters, breaking news alerts, and more. More travelers will soon be able to book a cruise when Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. becomes the first cruise company to drop vaccination requirements starting Sept. 3, 2022. The rules will vary by port, but an awful lot of sailings would be covered simply by adopting this rule change. Informa Markets, a trading division of Informa PLC. "The U.S. consumer is sitting on $2 trillion of savings," Liberty said. The ship is set to sail this Saturday from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and will be the first revenue cruise to depart from a US port in over a year. honestly, we should have never gotten rid of mask mandates in the first place. But there's a catch: Unvaccinated passengers - or those unwilling to show proof of the vaccine - will face onboard restrictions, extra COVID-19 tests, and additional costs, according to the cruise line. No business wants to make a choice -- or in this case have choices made for them by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- that alienates potential customers. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Rocky started blogging on his own website When Doublewides Fly to share information about flying around the world on a dime. Now, the cruise lines could drop those rules -- the CDC has essentially left them to their own devices -- but the U.S. government is not the sole authority here. But the cruise line still "strongly recommends" that its eligible guests be vaccinated, a spokesperson told Insider in an emailed statement. (That mandate does not include a booster shot.) Now that is being further expanded as cruise lines try to return to normal. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. The CDCs latest updated guidance for cruise ships now only recommends, and no longer mandates, pre-cruise testing in the U.S. At this point, only Margaritaville and Virgin have revised their policies accordingly, but its very likely others will soon follow. Royal Caribbean (RCL) - Get Free Report, Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) - Get Free Report, and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) - Get Free Report find their companies in the middle of this debate. Oct 26, 2021, 4:08 AM. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited. Celebrity will accept any commercially available tests, including self tests that are not monitored or proctored. Topline. No matter how healthy you are, we strongly . Vaccination for sailings starting and ending in the U.S. is not required. cruise lines are mostly holding strong to their vaccine mandates, When Will the Brightline to Orlando Open? Unvaccinated travelers will need to show a negative supervised test taken within three days before embarking regardless of cruise length. Before boarding all three . All guests 18 and older must be vaccinated to sail, plus one booster shot if eligible. The 10% rule remains in effect for cruising leaving the United States. Hyperlocal news is an essential force in our democracy, but it costs money to keep an organization like this one alive, and we cant rely on advertiser support alone. The Adults only cruise lines allow for 10% of passengers to travel unvaccinated. by Rocky HoranLast updated October 26, 2022. Disney Cruise Line has not chosen to pick one date to implement the new procedures onboard its ships. Passengers who are not fully vaccinated will need to bring a negative COVID-19 test result taken withinthree days before embarking. Therapeutics will play an important role, too, and Gottlieb thinks they'll become widely availableand continue to evolve and become more effective. For sailings from Southampton, Ravenna and Civitavecchia, and Amsterdam, vaccinated travelers must present a negative COVID test taken within two days before embarking, while unvaccinated travelers must test negative within one day of sailing. I think that the public-health officials -- CDC -- is going to want to see what the epidemiology of this disease is when it gets to a quote, unquote, normal state.". . At the end of May, Celebrity Cruises' sibling brand Royal Caribbean announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all guests. They can take a PCR test 72 hours prior to sailing, or an antigen test two days prior to sailing. Travel Codex is owned by Travel Codex, LLC. Well hopefully get our first glimpse of that this year. Getty Images. His expectation is that more companies will soon remove pre-cruise COVID-19 testing, as local regulations allow. The news about the [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)] removing the COVID-19 Programfor CruiseShipsis the mostpositive indication yet that we are moving further away from the pandemic, said Brad Tolkin, co-chairman and CEO for World Travel Holdings. Disney Cruise Line becomes one of the final major lines to remove the vaccine mandate, along with relaxing testing requirements. The new guidelines allow cruise ships operating in U.S. waters to choose to participate in the CDC's COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, which requires participating cruise lines to report the . If you are taking a cruise and still need a rapid Covid-19 antigen test, try Azova for a inexpensive effective option. That includes having proof of vaccination, getting tested before your trip, and wearing masks indoors. Making travel easier for all guests. 'This a transition year then they'll decide whether they want vaccinations in congregate settings like cruising, whether this becomes part of the childhood immunization schedule,' Gottlieb said. Unvaccinated children under 5 do not require pre-cruise testing. The cruise industry has been bending over backward to show the public that cruises are a safe vacation opportunity. This was the same . A cruise ship in Florida. 32. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has lowered the travel advisory for cruise ships, indicating the agency thinks conditions have slightly improved from late last year. Here's why. Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. CDC relaxed Covid requirements for the cruise industry, ry Azova for a inexpensive effective option, reach out and Im happy to help find you a cruise, Covid-19 Vaccination Recipients Will Receive Vaccine Card, CDC Relaxes Covid Requirements for Cruises, Saying Goodbye To Princess Cruise Lines' Captain Stubing. Royal Caribbean's Celebrity Cruises rolled back its COVID-19-vaccine mandate for Florida cruises. 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For Cunard, from Sept. 6, self-testing prior to travel will change from 'mandatory' to 'highly recommended' for vaccinated passengers on the vast majority of voyages. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Princess Cruises removed its vaccine requirement for most voyages of less than 16 days and adjusted testing requirements. All unvaccinated guests ages 2 and older are required to receive a lab-administered PCR or antigen test up to 3 days before sailing. Currently, the island nation requires all cruise ship passengers 12 and over to be fully vaccinated to enter the port. However, with cruises providing notoriously great value for money, there's little worry from the cruise lines. Help us keep hyperlocal news alive in Long Beach. Below are the current requirements, as August 9, 2022 by cruise line. Share. - All other cruises still require proof of initial vaccination and a booster until further notice. But like Celebrity, this mandate was rolled back in early June for all cruises sailing out of Florida and Texas. Voyages 16 nights and longer will continue to have vaccination and testing requirements that are specific to the itinerary. The new protocols will be introduced on a rolling basis, starting with Disney Wish, and concluding with Disney Magic on November 7. This . Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Since September 6, passengers on itineraries that are 16 nights or less, and who show proof . As of August 8, 2022 only children under 12 are welcome as unvaccinated guests on Celebrity cruise lines when leaving the United States. To date, the biggest group to confirm it will likely extend its 100 percent vaccination policy into . Other fun experiences include a Mickey Mouse-querade Party, a family costume party where kids can meet their favorite Disney characters, Halloween-themed movies, and even ghostly ship announcements. These new guidelines apply to itineraries from all departure ports except where government regulations and protocols may vary like Canada, Greece and Australia. Starting Sept 3, 2022, Unvaccinated Guests are welcome to cruise with no capacity limits. They are going to want to make a decision around this after we get through another fall and winter with Covid and see if we are truly in an endemic phase with this.. There will be no pre-cruise testing for vaccinated travelers on cruisesup to 15 nights, with the exception of full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean and other special itineraries. Royal Caribbean Chief Executive Jason Liberty,during his company's fourth-quarter earnings call,pointed out how well those protocols have been working. Close to home: Climate change in Long Beach. Testing requirements for sailings in Europe are unchanged. Cruise ships will be allowed to lift COVID-19 restrictions from mid-January, the CDC said Monday. Its good to be knowledgeable about maritime law before booking a cruise trip. All Contents Copyright 2022 Cruise Radio, Inc. | Website Designed by Insider Perks, Inc. Get the real facts delivered straight to your inbox, with trustworthy cruise related news. This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. The Uniglobe travel agency says most cruise lines are making the same call: to keep the guidelines. Two major cruise lines, Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line, have announced plans to ease onboard . Its another step to normality and follows other recently relaxed requirements. For cruises from Barcelona, both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers have to present a negative test taking within one day before embarking. Royal Caribbean Vaccine Requirement Update. webpage. "I'm very glad that it has ended, said Adam Martindale, owner of a Cruise Planners franchise in San Diego, Calif. There are no other leisure industries as regulated as cruise lines are. Now, more cruise lines are dropping Covid vaccine and precruise Covid testing requirements. This news comes as the cruise industry starts to relax its protocols and aligns with other travel sectors, such as flights. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. The new guidelines effect NCL, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas. Norwegian Cruise shares tumble about 6% after the company's adjusted loss per share and adjusted Ebitda loss were worse than analysts expected in the fourth quarter. In late July the CDC relaxed Covid requirements for the cruise industry. Check with Carnival for specific cruise requirements. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Cruise Lines Relax COVID Testing and Vaccination Policies For trips shorter than six days, vaccinated passengers will no longer need to obtain a negative test result before boarding. Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. Published on November 4, 2021. Royal Caribbean said in a letter to travel agents, Here at Royal Caribbean, you can trust we will continue to prioritize the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit. This announcement is the most significant to date, and is another step to greater consumer confidence in travel. New Details Released. If you have a question or would like to make a press inquiry, please contact: Scott Mackenzie The cruise line will drop the vaccine requirement on select sailings from the U.S. and Europe. Thats why were asking readers like you to support our independent, fact-based journalism. Currently, vaccinated guests departing on cruises from . Since the CDC Voluntary Program for U.S. Based Cruise Ships ended in July, Carnival Cruise Line joined the list of cruise lines that have removed some testing requirements. Most Americans have a strong opinion on vaccines -- strong to the point that the topic has caused family rifts and led friends to stop speaking to each other. Royal Caribbean, back in February, made masks optional for fully vaccinated passengers. The changes are nuanced, depending on embarkation ports and destinations and, in some cases, by cruise length, and vary by . They say it has made it all but impossible to find enough willing workers, and the resulting staff shortages have forced . There are no other leisure industries as regulated as cruise lines are. Now, the official termination of the CDC program is only accelerating the elimination of testing among other lines. If this is the case, you still need a negative test or be vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxed its definition of what it means to be a highly . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued long-awaited technical guidance for cruise lines on Friday, bringing them one step closer to sailing again in United States . To be exempt from testing requirements, fully vaccinated guests should still upload their proof of vaccination to the Inspire Diagnostics Safe Passage website by midnight before embarkation day. Keep in mind the world is one world but not one place. Instead, the cruise line will introduce these on a rolling basis across the fleet. Be Safe. As any client who has cruised recently knows, the logistics of requiring COVID-19 testing before, during or right after a trip can be daunting. Especially if you are unvaccinated. Cruises 5 days or less: With the exception of sailings to Bermuda and Canada, fully vaccinated passengers will not be required to test before sailing. Departing from Miami, she will visit the Cayman Islands and Castaway Cay on a 5-night Halloween On The High Seas western Caribbean cruise. Be sure to double check or work with a travel agent to ensure youre meeting the requirements of the cruise you are considering. Vaccinated travelers on cruises six nights or longer must present a negative supervised test taken within three days before embarking. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! The CDC has allowed cruise ships to operate with conditions since October 2020, requiring masks onboard and vaccinations or testing of passengers and crew, among other safety precautions. Some cruise lines already let children and a select few customers travel unvaccinated. Royal Caribbean released a further update to its protocols on Wednesday, which will go into effect in September 2022. Children under 5 (from the US) and under 12 (from Australia) are exempt from vaccination and testing requirements. Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, a physician who serves as chairman of Norwegian Cruise Line's SailSAFE Council, on March 3 spoke on the possibility of cruise lines being able to drop vaccination requirements. Action Alerts PLUS is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc. Is a Hiring Slowdown a Bad Corporate Omen? Three months ago, on December 30, it was moved to the agency's highest-risk Level 4 category of travel advisories as the . Cunard testing changes, but not vaccination mandate. The industry is still recovering and working under a patchwork of regulations. As of now, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian have not made any major covid . During a press conference on Thursday, the Florida governor suggested the state might fight efforts to impose COVID-19 vaccine mandates on cruise passengers -- something that is at the core of comeback plans at a growing number of cruise lines. Reason Magazine's archive of articles filed under Vaccine mandates. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, how vocal some potential customers and cruise lines, Margaritaville at Sea Gears Up With Travel Advisors in Mind, Its a Summer of Record-Breaking Cruise Sales. Despite passenger numbers rebounding post-pandemic, the company posted an annual net loss of $2.27 billion.