which cruise lines do not require masks which cruise lines do not require masks

However, Asia and Oceania, and some countries in Central and South America, still have stricter rules in place. View Best Prices on Celebrity, Read Also: Last Minute Cruise Deals Tampa. Here, we go over the major cruise lines in the U.S. and tell you which ones are currently requiring face coverings onboard. Olsen passengers are required to wear a mask onboard when not in their staterooms, eating or drinking, or seated in a deck . fred o. Fred. Some of its current passengers have chosen to sail because every adult onboard has been tested and vaccinated. Now, the cruise brand owned by billionaire Richard Branson has quietly decided to allow some unvaccinated sailors, as it calls its passengers, on its upcoming voyages. Dont Miss: What Time Does The Victory Casino Cruise Sail. These Cruise Lines Are Requiring Passengers To Wear Masks Again All The Details. Cruise lines have continued to modify their vaccination and testing policies surrounding COVID-19. MSCs policy toward vaccination for sailing from the United States is that while kids under 12 years old are allowed to sail unvaccinated, those older than that must have the shot. Cruises from Florida and other ports of departure will still require the shot for those 12 and older in order to sail for the time being. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols. Because this policy only impacts sailings in Australia, only two Carnival ships are currently affected: Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa. You can view Carnivals latest policies here. You can view Virgin Voyages latest policies here. Guests can also visit www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/cruise-travel-documents for more information about the required travel documentation they will need for their NCL voyage. Don't get me wrong, I totally support the wearing of masks in the general public because we don't know who is and is not vaccinated. Costa Cruises, Azamara, and Silversea Cruises have also dropped their vaccination policies with some exceptions. On sailings departing Singapore, masks are mandatory on the ship when indoors. Heres a quick breakdown of vaccination and testing policies as of December 2022 at several major cruise lines: These cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests but still have some form of testing requirement in place for those who elected to pass on the vaccine. This article contains links which are ads and if you click on a link and buy a product we will earn revenue. Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. Unvaccinated cruises passengers must wear masks, while vaccinated passengers dont. Testing and vaccination requirements will differ for guests traveling on voyages departing from destinations with specific local health regulations, including the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, and Greece. Starting Sept. 6, Princess Cruises will require passengers on sailings of 16 nights or longer to take a test within three days of leaving, as well as those on full Panama Canal transits. That creates a peace of mind you dont get on other types of vacations. That means having both doses of a two-dose shot 14 days before embarking on the ship. The cruise line said COVID vaccines will no longer be required for passengers 12 and older on the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, and Disney Wonder cruise ships starting on Oct. 14. Carnival Cruise Line updated its Have Fun. According to the Australian governments Department of Health and Aged Care, the country is experiencing a slight uptick in overall cases compared to previous months, with more than 54,000 new cases reported in the past week. Travelers can get tested three days before departure for trips six nights or more. 2. Booster jabs are required where eligible and are considered effective immediately. COVID-19 vaccine exemptions at Carnivals Long Beach, California port will only be accepted for kids under age 12 and when required by US federal law due to religious beliefs or medical reasons. All guests and crew will be required to wear a mask onboard. Vaccinated travelers will not need to test before embarkation. It seems most cruise lines are following the CDCs 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. Keep in mind that even though face masks are no longer required for ships from the above cruise lines, they still may be required in specific venues such as the theater or kids clubs. However, the cruise line did recently relax testing requirements for vaccinated passengers, with a reference that vaccine rules could also drop sometime in the future: MSC Cruises will continue to monitor pandemic conditions and port requirements outside of the U.S., with a goal to relax testing and vaccination protocols to open cruising to all guests, while prioritizing the health and safety of its guests, crew and destinations. Most major cruise lines still require passengers to be fully vaccinated, including having the relevant booster jabs. For domestic sailings, this will be entirely dependent on your chosen cruise line and their cruise vaccination requirements and the current laws of the state or territories you plan on travelling from/to. What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air filters and buffets have been eliminated. You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. Health and safety are always our first priority in fact, we were the health and safety leaders from the very start of the pandemic, said Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer. View Best Prices on NCL, Royal Caribbean Starting on September 5, 2022, guests who are not vaccinated will be able to sail on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, the worlds largest cruise line. Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless they're traveling from or to a destination that requires it. Amateur web practitioner. As the health situation evolves, cruise lines are always adjusting their health and safety policies including whether guests need to wear masks onboard. - As of Dec. 1, 2022, guests traveling with Azamara no longer need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 on sailings starting and ending in the U.S. or Europe. Shes been on 10 cruises and counting, and her favorite onboard activities include trying out the water slides, spending time in the spas thermal suite, eating lots of food, and attending the love & marriage show. There is no mention of needing a reason to be eligible for an exemption. Norwegian Cruise Line*, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International, for example, are all headquartered in the US, which means they must follow the guidelines set out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention even when theyre sailing outside of the country. All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. The cruise line will still administer a COVID-19 antigen test to each guest prior to boarding, free of charge, and masks are required in public areas. : Yes American Queen is even vaccinating its shoreside employees. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Specifically, guests should wear face masks in nearly all public settings regardless of physical distancing measures but will not be required to wear face masks in their own stateroom. Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Can I Travel if I've Been Exposed to COVID-19? View Best Prices on Carnival, Celebrity Cruises Starting on Monday, September 5, 2022, all guests will be able to sail on Celebrity cruise ships, even if not vaccinated. Check with the cruise line for protocols on pre-board testing and vaccination. Its possible a cruise line may accept one shot of a viral vector vaccine, such as AstraZeneca, and one shot of an mRNA vaccine, but this practice of mixing for a COVID-19 vaccine primary series isnt authorized yet in the US. Passengers can call the cruise line at 954-488-2955 to ask about sailing without having the shot. To be considered vaccinated guests must have been vaccinated at least two weeks prior to boarding. It also varies based on different rules for cruise ships or territories, and evolving guidance from the CDC. All guests will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to boarding. And the good news for many people? Click on your favorite cruise line below to find out. Its understandable why many voyagers can get muddled on what they need to do in relation to COVID-19 vaccination requirements for their next cruise. Unvaccinated Guests: Are not permitted aboard. Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date. But with the pandemic still ongoing, many cruise lines have implemented safety protocols, including the requirement to wear masks. On voyages that visit Greece or Italy, they are required on the ship when indoors. Crew will be tested regularly while on board. MSC Cruises As of September 1, 2022, MSC Cruises no longer requires U.S. citizens to be vaccinated. While each cruise line might accept different ones, the major vaccines Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca all seem to have wide acceptance. Unvaccinated passengers will need to test before boarding. Carnival has also removed the mask mandate from its ships. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard except in the medical center. Azamara. Cruise lines have been making changes to their requirements for passengers in order to make cruise ships accessible to virtually everyone. Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks are not required. All guests on all sailings through the end of 2022 with Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection are required to be fully vaccinated. Also Check: Best Hotels Near Miami Cruise Port Virgin Voyages Vaccine Policy Cruise lines are gradually easing restrictions and resuming operations, with some already allowing unvaccinated passengers to disembark. Cruises from Australia or those 16 nights or longer do still require a passenger be vaccinated to sail. Booked guests can get up-to-date information using the Cruise Personalizer tool. As a result, people are able to get back to the things they love and cruises have had a successful restart with millions heading back to sea. Those requirements would not be necessary on the same cruise without a stop in Colombia. A number of cruise lines have reviewed their policies following the change. A precruise test is no longer required on the river ships. MORE: 8. But now, little more than a year later, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has withdrawn its opt-in guidance for cruise lines, and many are now allowing more unvaccinated passengers to sail. Norwegian Epic (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line) Oceania Cruises Policy: In general, masks are not required onboard. Is an Alaska Cruise Worth the Investment? Pre-voyage testing is not required for guests with proof of vaccination unless local regulations stipulate otherwise. MIAMI, Oct. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ Norwegian Cruise Line , the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced that it has updated its global health and safety protocols by removing all COVID-19 testing, masking and vaccination requirements effective Oct. 4, 2022. You May Like: How Big Are The Disney Cruise Ships. "There may, however, be certain venues and events where masks will be required," said the brand. Pushaw said the governors executive order is not likely to scare away seagoing travelers. If you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider about the risks of traveling. Additionally, it's important to check the latest travel advisories and restrictions for your destination before booking a cruise. If you dont have the shot, then cruise lines are easing rules in that you dont have to be vaccinated to sail in many cases. First-time cruisers:3 things to know before stepping foot on the ship, Recommended Reading: Cruise Capital Of The World. Thats hard to say because it depends on the state of the pandemic at any given time. This includes vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac. The changes are also subject to local requirements, and full vaccination requirements apply to passengers 12 and up while testing rules apply to those 5 and older. Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Testing is still required for some cruises. This simplifies the requirements to sail. There are a few exceptions. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken within three days prior to embarkation. Vaccine and pretrip testing requirements can be confusing, especially if you are cruising internationally. Dont Miss: What Cruise Lines Go To Tahiti. Unvaccinated passengers will be required to show a negative test for all trips. It's important to note that while some cruise lines have relaxed their mask policies, they still require travelers to follow other safety protocols. The cruise line has a limited but growing presence in the U.S., with cruises from Florida and New York. Carnival Cruise Line wont require unvaccinated guests to apply for an exemption to sail after Sept. 6. What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air filters and buffets have been eliminated. As the COVID-19 pandemic slows down, eight cruise lines have just dropped their mask policies as of yesterday, February 28, and today, March 1, 2022. Heres what you need to know. This article contains links which are ads and if you click on a link and buy a product we will earn revenue. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! Here is a current list of cruise line that have, or will eliminate the vaccine requirement to sail on one of their cruise ships. As of the fall of 2022, many cruise line have dropped vaccination, testing and masking requirements. As the United States has opened up again following the worst of the pandemic, many people have returned to a normal way of life. However, with certain destinations still enforcing vaccine and/or testing requirements, be sure to research your cruise itinerary thoroughly before booking if you want to avoid potential restrictions in countries that have still not fully reopened to all travelers. If Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian allow for unvaccinated adults but keep the 90% vaccinated number that could limit how many families can book cruises on those lines, which are marketed as family cruise lines. A. Details: Royal Caribbeans latest mask policy. Pre-boarding tests are not required for vaccinated guests. Royal Caribbean Group, parent company of Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity, also rolled back its testing requirements this month, following the end of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships. Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may designate areas as only accessible to fully vaccinated passengers and crew where masks and physical distancing are not required (e.g., casinos . However, your cruise line will have more details about which specific shots they accept. Masks continue to be required for unvaccinated guests in indoor public areas. In late July, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) withdrew its COVID-19 Program for cruise ships, allowing individual cruise lines to set their own standards. MORE: 8 Tips For Preparing to Cruise in 2022. Carnival Cruise Line. Costa Cruises will also allow unvaccinated travelers to board sailings 14 nights or shorter in the Caribbean and Mediterranean beginning Oct. 8. Cruise lines have begun modifying their vaccination and testing policies surrounding COVID-19, with numerous cruise lines once again allowing unvaccinated passengers to set sail as of September 2022, provided they test negative for COVID-19 first. This ensures you can sail stress-free knowing you wont have your voyage cut short due to any cruise vaccination policy when entering another state or territory. Azamara is one of the cruise lines that no longer requires passengers to wear masks on their ships, although they still recommend them. Virgin Voyages is known for being adults-only, which means it's easier to require vaccines. Celebrity is not requiring booster shots for any passengers at this time. Some lines, however, may still require one or more protocols to be adhered to, either on a voyage-by-voyage basis or on a destination-basis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ended its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships on July 18, after which many cruise lines that had opted in eased their protocols. While most cruise lines require adults to be vaccinated right now, unvaccinated readers want to know when the vaccine mandate may go away. VERIFY: Do cruise passengers have to show proof of vaccination? Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks are not required. If Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian allow for unvaccinated adults but keep the 90% vaccinated number that could limit how many families can book cruises on those lines, which are marketed as family cruise lines. Heres a rundown of the basic rules for some leading cruise lines. It must be noted, however, that there have been no reports of cases reported from cruise ships having severe symptoms or requiring hospitalization, with most individuals who return positive test results reporting no symptoms or only mild discomfort. Details: Holland Americas latest mask policy. View Best Prices on MSC, Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line was the first major cruise line to announce the elimination of a COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Virgin Voyages, a fledgling cruise line sailing one of its two ships, the Scarlet Lady, out of Miami, dropped the pre-cruise testing requirement after the CDC stopped monitoring covid on cruise ships. Effective April 15, all guests five and older must be vaccinated to sail on Celebrity from the United States. There are, of course, also some passengers who have not sailed because they are not vaccinated or dont care to share their vaccination status with a cruise line. There is no definitive answer as to when a vaccine requirement to go on a cruise ship may go away, but at the very least it stands to reason not until the public health emergency ends. Disney Cruise Lines joins Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Holland America Line, which no longer require vaccinations on most sailings. Also Check: 7 Night Western Mediterranean Cruise. "Effective with sailings departing March 1 . There is no requirement for passengers to mask on board, but 100% of the crew is masked. The revenue generated will help us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism. Heres what the CDC currently recommends when it comes to vaccines. That number has come down from 95% and it was generally believed to be a number to account for kids too young to get vaccinated to be onboard. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. For now, none of the cruise lines that have a vaccine requirement have announced any plans to rescind that rule in the future. No. Guests must also wear masks during the entire embarkation and debarkation processes. Many other cruise line operators and brands made similar protocol changes, including Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. Read Also: How Much Are Cruises Out Of Galveston. You May Like: Are Greek Island Cruises Worth It. Unvaccinated guests are required to be tested. Dont Miss: Do Any Cruise Lines Allow Dogs. VERIFY: Do cruise passengers have to show proof of vaccination? Children age 12 to 15 must have received two initial doses of the vaccination. However, as is the case with Cunard, these cruise lines stop . Vaccinated passengers dont need to test unless visiting Canada, Bermuda, Greece or Australia and on trips of 16 nights or longer. In addition, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian sail to a lot more ports than Virgin Voyages does, and cruise ships must also comply with local rules (and some destinations require vaccinations for anyone ages 12 and over even if they dont get off the ship. There are, of course, also some passengers who have not sailed because they are not vaccinated or dont care to share their vaccination status with a cruise line. Royal Caribbean made headlines a week ago when it announced that it would begin sailing from Florida in early July with ships where vaccinations would be recommended but not required. For example, approximately 100 cases were reported onboard Coral Princess in early July during one of the first restart cruises, while more recently, local news services have reported more than 800 cases aboard Majestic Princess. Carnival will now allow all passengers including those who are unvaccinated to sail freely as of September 6, 2022. Still, there are exceptions. Will Lines Still Require a Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Test Before a Cruise? For passengers who are 5 and older and fully vaccinated, a COVID test is not required, but proof of vaccination is needed. Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: All passengers, no exceptions, need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. But most major cruise lines dropped mask mandates earlier this year as COVID-19 cases worldwide dropped significantly. CDC recommends all eligible travelers be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccines. 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. The cruise line has a limited but growing presence in the U.S., with cruises from Florida and New York. Norwegian Cruise Line takes Florida to court over vaccine mandate ban, Celebrity Cruise Lines will not require proof of vaccination. Those passengers or those who are partially vaccinated will need to provide results of a negative antigen or molecular PCR test taken within 48 hours of embarkation, according to a news release. Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. Recommended Reading: What Is Included In Crystal Cruises. As the major cruise lines prepare to relaunch from U.S. ports this summer, they have not yet been as frank with unvaccinated passengers as they need to be about how their cruise experience will stack up next to that of their vaccinated cruise mates. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board. The company shared that information in an email that was sent to people booked on upcoming sailings. Every other cruise line has a tough decision to make. 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Norwegian, which requires guests to bring proof of vaccination, responded to inquiries with a link to its latest press release from early June about its upcoming U.S. voyages. And, I would say that nobody wearing or not wearing masks were ever made to feel uncomfortable. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Olsen Cruise Lines. : Yes American Queen is even vaccinating its shoreside employees. Health and safety are always our first priority in fact, we were the health and safety leaders from the very start of the pandemic, said Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer. Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot. For more information about the Companys award-winning 18-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please call +1-888-NCL-CRUISE , contact a travel professional or visit www.ncl.com. Read Also: Cruises In April 2022 From Florida. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line began waiving vaccination and testing requirements in October.