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 for boarding. It can be professionally proctored at your doctor or drugstore, or it can be a test you administer to yourself at home without supervision. We would appreciate if you could take a moment to provide your COVID-19 vaccination status ahead of your cruise. Passenger operations continue to be suspended during the initial phases of this Order. ", Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. The answer rhymes with Tom Cruise lips, kangaroos hips, and too much booze slips. Yes, cruise ships, as Victoria Forster described for Forbes in March 2020. On sailings of a certain length, further requirements for unvaccinated passengers include two more tests after embarkation: one during the sailing and one just prior to departure from the ship. Royal Caribbean: COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for All Guests - Business Insider TPG values it at $1,600. says. Joe Raedle / Getty . The first to set sail will be the Freedom of the Seas ship out of Miami, Florida, on July 2. Follow her adventures on Instagram. Carnival Cruise Line Over the past few months that program became voluntary and masks went away while other restrictions eased. ", "At Silversea, our top priority has always been to safeguard the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit," the company wrote. Gee, what could possibly go wrong? Day 1. Health, Travel & Risk Acknowledgement. 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. For cruises longer than 16 nights self-testing is not accepted for unvaccinated travelers. Ron DeSantis, who has insisted that there will be no exception made for cruise companies to a newly passed Florida law that fines companies $5,000 each time they ask a patron to provide proof of vaccination. "Effective November 2, 2022, all travelers on U.S. sailings regardless of vaccination status will no longer require pre-departure testing (excludes sailings to Colombia, Haiti, & Honduras)." 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, Where Can Americans Travel Right Now? Royal Caribbean Updates Vaccine Protocols Following Bahamas Order What if I am not feeling well in the days leading up to my cruise? During one performance, I went to the theater's upper level (where anyone, including unvaccinated passengers, was able to sit) to see what it was like. Unvaccinated travelers (who are 5 and older on most U.S. sailings and 12 and older on select European sailings) will be required to get tested within three days of boarding. Ron DeSantis maintains a threat of fines under an executive order banning "vaccine passports." Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Royal Caribbean's vaccine policies out of U.S. and Caribbean ports are remarkably consistent: For cruises from Seattle, guests who are 16 years of age or older must be fully vaccinated. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Before the tracking system was removed, basically every ship in the program was at the "orange" level, which in theory triggered a CDC investigation. Royal Caribbean sent out an update on Wednesday with new protocols that have removed the need to conduct a pre-cruise Covid-19 test, even if you are unvaccinated. While vaccination is not required for guests under 12, we kindly ask that you fill out their status below. The US hasn't mandated the COVID vaccine for all eager cruiser goers, but the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that cruise lines with 98% of crew and 95% of passengers vaccinated can skip the "simulated voyages" that would otherwise be necessary for cruise lines to resume "restricted passenger voyages" again. On a practical level, the CDC had been tracking serious illness and death and the numbers were very encouraging. Starting September 5, 2022, all guests can sail with Royal Caribbean, regardless of vaccination status. "Finally!!! Since then, more itineraries opened up to unvaccinated cruisers. All cruisers -- regardless of vaccination status -- had to wear masks in indoor spaces unless they were explicitly designated for vaccinated cruisers. COVID-19 Vaccination is no longer required to sail, with a few exceptions. These Cruise Lines Will Accept At-home Covid Tests for - Travel I will not do business with anyone requiring a vaccine," in a post that received over 130 likes since it was first shared. While vaccination is not required, they kindly ask passengers to disclose their vaccine status during check-in. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention kept Royal Caribbean (RCL) - Get Free Report, Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) - Get Free Report, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) - Get Free Report and every other cruise line from sailing from ports in the U.S. from March 2020 through July 2021. 1:03 Royal Caribbean International is resuming cruises aimed at U.S. vacationers this summer - with a twist. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Credit card showdown: Alaska Airlines Visa vs. Alaska Airlines Business Visa, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know, 21 new Hyatt hotels where you can get 500 extra points per night. Royal Caribbean: Avoid Florida If You Want An All-Vaccinated - Forbes Royal Caribbean no longer requires vaccinated guests to take COVID test This voyage included calls on Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island, in the Bahamas. These Countries Require It for Entry, Where Can Americans Travel Right Now? 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.. 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. User @joanwetz agreed with the boycott, noting: "I am. You can follow her daily exploits, both at sea and on land, on Instagram or Twitter @slyjabroni. The announcement of these select vaccinated cruises later resulted in boycott demands in late March across Facebook and Twitter. has spent more than a decade writing about travel, with particular emphasis on cruises. Of all the new health protocols and changes, perhaps no single rule is as hotly debated right now as if cruise lines, Norwegian Cruise Line announced on Tuesday it will extend its cruise cancellations through the end of September (minus, Two crew members from Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas were evacuated off Oasis of the Seas in Port Everglades on, If you own Royal Caribbean stock, today is a great start to your portfolio for the week.Royal Caribbean, and the entire, Royal Caribbean's recent filingwith the SEC indicates it has taken advantageof$3.48 billion in backup financing, Taking a test for COVID-19 before you get on a Royal Caribbean cruise might be one of the many steps the cruise line. In a press release Friday announcing . Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. About half of the U.S. population is now fully vaccinated, which means plenty of people still have not been vaccinated. NOTE: All Royal Caribbean guests aged 12 and older must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing. Royal Caribbean to require proof of vaccination on cruises from Florida Mexico Plans on Increasing Protocols for Incoming Tourists, Could This 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. The cruise company's new sailings from the Bahamas will require all adult guests "to be . Similarly, on Silversea the new policy mandates that eligible passengers must receive a booster "provided the required time has passed after the completion of their primary COVID-19 vaccination series. These Cruise Lines Are Ending Vaccine Requirements From there, I went to the second floor to check in. Royal Caribbean will require vaccinated guests 5 and older to take a pre-cruise test on sailings from the U.S . Business reporter, BBC News. "This Order introduces a phased approach for resuming passenger cruises. Royal Caribbean Updates COVID-19 Testing Policy for - Travel + Leisure The CDC dropped its cruise covid-19 reporting program last month, prompting cruise lines to announce they would loosen testing requirements for vaccinated passengers and in most cases . This includes unsupervised testing. Guests under the age of 12 do not have any testing requirements. If youre planning to sail on a Disney Cruise out of Port Canaveral, youre more than likely making a stop at Disneys private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay. While there, I noticed most of the passengers in this area were parents with young children. The SARS-CoV2 is still actively spreading in the U.S. and throughout different parts of the world. Twitter user @patriottakes wrote: "MAGAs [Make America Great Again, Donald Trump's campaign slogan] are starting to boycott Royal Caribbean because they are requiring vaccinations for adult passengers and crew members when they start sailing again in June. In order to board these ships, all adults, including the crew, will be required to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. Covid vaccine proof? : r/royalcaribbean - reddit Vaccinated-only areas included the spa, casino, fitness center (during most operating hours), Izumi sushi and hibachi, Chef's Table and the lower decks of the main dining room and theater. #CancelCulture. Many cruise fans and potential passengers may expect that this CDC decision means that vaccine requirements and precruise testing may soon go away. Royal Caribbean Cruises Check here before booking an award fare. The recently passed Florida law crafted by the Republican-controlled state Legislature and promoted by Gov. Royal Caribbean has updated its COVID-19 protocols to allow more people to sail on their ships, according to the RoyalCaribbeanblog. Carnival, Royal Caribbean cruises loosen coronavirus testing rules Norwegian's moves to loosen pandemic-era protocols follow similar decisions by industry leaders Carnival and Royal. Guests who have certain pre-existing medical conditions,. #BoycottRC." Azamara does not require negative test results in order to board unless mandated by local governments in the ports where the line's ships sail. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Who else is with me? The company said all crew members will be vaccinated. Why the change in Royal Caribbean policy? This bracelet allowed me to access areas of the ship reserved for vaccinated passengers. Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. However, the cruise ship company has now done an a boat face, so to speak. The only guests who will need to test . In addition to having more rules in place than some other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean also enforced those protocols more strictly, with crew checking for wristbands in vaccinated-only venues and checking for masks in indoor places accessible to everyone. Royal Caribbean just announced a new collection of seven-night summer cruises to the Bahamas and Mexico, but don't consider booking a spot unless you plan on being fully vaccinated against. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise. One can download it through The app or from browser on The phone, and there is this QR-code to "check" it. No Covid Vaccines Needed To Cruise On Royal Caribbean Ships The Miami-based operator. Going forward, the cruise line will make pre-departure. An attendant who was monitoring the entrance told me they were passengers waiting for their test results. In Nassau, vaccinated passengers were allowed to explore however they wished, but unvaccinated cruisers were required to take ship-sponsored excursions to leave the ship. Cruise COVID Testing Rules For Vaccinated, Unvaccinated Travelers - NBC This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers on Board, These Major Cruise Lines Just Dropped COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Shorter Sailings What to Know, Norwegian Cruises to Allow Unvaccinated Passengers Starting in September, Anguilla Just Dropped Its Pre-arrival Testing for Vaccinated Travelers What to Know, 10 of the Best Mediterranean Cruises for Every Type of Traveler, New Zealand Eliminates Vaccine, Testing Requirements for Travel What to Know, The CDC Will No Longer Report COVID-19 Cases on Cruises to the Public. WOW: @RoyalCaribbean cruises is now requiring you to get an experimental vaccine to book a cruise with them. 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. Caribbean travel: Covid entry rules, island by island - Travel Weekly At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made its guidance optional for cruise lines and has warned against boarding a cruise ship at the moment, regardless of a person's vaccination status. Check directly with your cruise line about their COVID-19 testing or vaccination protocols before travel. The test cruises will show whether ships can sail safely and follow CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Currently, Royal Caribbean requires travelers 12 and older to be vaccinated on U.S. cruises. Starting July 2, Royal Caribbean ships will not be requiring passengers to have covid vaccines for sailings from the U.S. Masks were not required outdoors or while eating or drinking, but I found myself constantly worrying about whether I needed to have a mask on or not. I showed mine, and the agent gave me a purple rubber bracelet to wear. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. Regardless of the rules, passengers are sure to have a good time. Staff would later identify these passengers by holes punched in their SeaPass cards. Unfortunately, the announcement didn't come in time for this voyage. Please review this document and acknowledge acceptance via the tick They waved me through to security, where my carry-on was screened. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). In the testing area, they were each given an on-site rapid antigen test. But against the context of everything we've seen, [that's] truly been a remarkable success.". Learn more. Guests under this age requirement who haven't been vaccinated will instead have to be tested for the virus. Get todays headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. A positive test would preclude them from embarking on the cruise. #BoycottRC pic.twitter.com/5xSNzyz0It. The major cruise line previously mandated the covid vaccine for crew members only. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Since September 2022,all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, were able to cruise on most itineraries, as long as they meet testing requirements to board. Eager cruisers looking to resume sailing with Royal Caribbean will now have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to updated guidance from the major cruise line. Several luxury cruise lines are implementing new vaccine protocols, each requiring guests to show proof of having received a booster shot to board. Each person sailing was required to download the Royal Caribbean app. Will I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? A line-by-line guide Royal Caribbean cruises are back but vaccinations will be optional. Norwegian, Cunard and more end pre-cruise COVID testing - USA TODAY Tauck Currently, the company requires all guests to "be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before sailing with all required COVID-19 vaccine doses" and "strongly" recommends guests receive the booster shot. Guests are also required to wear masks in all indoor public areas, in terminals, and during shore excursions, and take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test before boarding. Passengers no longer have to wear masks onboard while they are indoors, and while capacities have not returned to 100% . The cruise line will still require unvaccinated guests and vaccinated guests embarking on cruises six nights or longer, to take a COVID-19 test within three days of their departure date. Carnival, Royal Caribbean cruises ease covid testing rules - The (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images), Florida Gov.