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 . Most major cruise lines require proof of vaccination for all passengers age 12 and up, and some require them for kids as young as 5 years old (Pfizer's . Now, Royal Caribbean drops vaccine requirements for some cruises as well. A positive test would preclude them from embarking on the cruise. The Miami Herald reported that Royal Caribbean International previously planned to only allow vaccinated passengers onto its ships, but announced in a Friday press release that they were. "Silversea will continue to work closely with relevant governing bodies and health authorities to evolve its health and safety procedures, as new health recommendations are issued and as the fluid situation advances.". Passengers who didn't voluntarily show proof of vaccination, either because they weren't vaccinated (primarily children, according to Royal Caribbean executives) or didn't have their vaccine cards, were directed to a testing area. Visitors must still fill out a health screening form prior to arrival. Action Alerts PLUS is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc. Guests under this age requirement who haven't been vaccinated will instead have to be tested for the virus. As of today, 90% of all vacationers booking with Royal Caribbean are either vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated in time for their cruise, Bayley said in a statement. Image source: Dukas/Universal Images Group via Getty Images. They waved me through to security, where my carry-on was screened. #CancelCulture." The summer cruises announced by Royal Caribbean International Friday are still pending approval from the CDC after each ship successfully completes a test cruise with volunteer passengers. 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. All of this have prompted a fair number of tweets to use the words petri dish. For example: Think back to February 2020 right before the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak officially became a pandemic. The tweet received at least 145 likes since it was first posted. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Breeze through security with CLEAR lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. On my way, I passed lots of hand sanitizer dispensers and signs reminding people about social distancing and masks. "Due to evolving health protocols, imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. Carnival will follow with the same at-home test allowance on Sept. 6. 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.. At this time, only the following sailings have COVID-19 vaccination requirements: Guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to sail: Cruises from Australia Learn more about cruising from Australia Transatlantic and Transpacific Sailings Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. On the one hand, no business wants to shell out $5,000 (which would be equivalent to at least 2,500 hot dogs) per customer just for the heck of it. According to Royal Caribbean's Healthy Sail Center, for all sailings departing on or after Friday, February 25, 2022, face masks will become optional for all fully vaccinated passengers - with . But there is an important difference between wearing a slingshot mankini and being fully vaccinated. Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley shared some numbers the CDC had given to him, during his remarks to passengers on the 2022 President's Cruise, Royal Caribbean Blog first reported. But all the major cruise lines that sailed from the U.S. opted into the CDC program. On Friday, Royal Caribbean announced new seven-night cruises aboard the Adventure of the Seas cruise ship that will depart from Nassau in the Bahamas starting in June. "The new itineraries departing through August, which will sail with vaccinated crew, will be available to adult guests who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and those under the age of 18 with negative test results," the statement said. guests must review and accept the So, is the Florida government essentially not allowing businesses to do something that would help keep their customers and staff safer? The recently passed Florida law crafted by the Republican-controlled state Legislature and promoted by Gov. Passengers no longer have to wear masks onboard while they are indoors, and while capacities have not returned to 100% . This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. It is unclear if cruise companies will be allowed to ask passengers if they have been vaccinated as part of the boarding process, even if they dont require vaccination to board. No, you need to bring the card. However, passengers on U.S.-based voyages should be aware that protocols are likely to differ by cruise line, ship and departure state. Staff would later identify these passengers by holes punched in their SeaPass cards. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Royal Caribbean International has announced updated protocols for the United States, Puerto Rico, and Barbados-based cruises through March 31, 2022. Enrollment required. Regardless of the port location, guests will have to show proof of full vaccination, completed at least 14 days before the cruise departs. You can still get Covid-19 after being fully vaccinated, albeit your chances are much lower compared to those who have not been vaccinated. "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," Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean's CEO, told the BBC. 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. The Royal Caribbean cruise line plans to drop its COVID-19 testing requirement for some guests starting on Aug. 8, according to a statement on its website. Starting Sept. 5, Royal Caribbean will welcome both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers of all ages, according to the cruise line. User @joanwetz agreed with the boycott, noting: "I am. 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. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Royal Caribbean expects to require its crew members to receive the vaccine before sailings return, a spokesperson told Insider. Now, abruptly, the CDC has dropped its voluntary program and has stopped regulating or tracking covid on cruise ships. [TRENDING: Is it illegal in Florida to back into a parking space? Time is running out on free COVID tests and vaccines; what then. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. The major cruise line previously mandated the covid vaccine for crew members only. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Related: Cruise hack: 6 ways to turn a voyage on a mass-market ship into a luxury experience. box below. We didn't need a card at all because for the most part they don't require masks anymore. The post received nearly 100 likes since it was first tweeted. updated guidance from the major cruise line. Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results, a clear photo of your self-test result, or your actual self-test in hand. Business reporter, BBC News. 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. Outside of the current welcome bonus, youre only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so its not a great card for other spending categories. Royal Caribbean Internationals sister brand Celebrity Cruises (both owned by Royal Caribbean Group) is still requiring all passengers 16 years old or older be vaccinated on its seven-night Caribbean cruises that are restarting from Port Everglades on June 26. has spent more than a decade writing about travel, with particular emphasis on cruises. Thats Offers may be subject to change without notice. "We are continuing to adapt our protocols to align more closely with how the rest of society and other travel and leisure businesses are operating. 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. "Finally!!! Starting with August 8, 2022 departures, these updates include: . The about-face is an apparent submission to Gov. Enrollment required. 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. I will not do business with anyone requiring a vaccine," in a post that received over 130 likes since it was first shared. I just disembarked Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, the line's first cruise ship to sail from a U.S. port in more than 15 months. Testing Requirements: All guests 2 and older are required to submit a negative test regardless of vaccination status. While there, I noticed most of the passengers in this area were parents with young children. Unvaccinated guests will be allowed to use the results of a self-administered test if taken within three days of sailing. . Apr 12, 2022 10:20 AM EDT. More than 2.7 million people have died worldwide and more than 69.9 million have recovered as of Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. These restrictions include wearing a mask in most public spaces and limitations on areas and services unvaccinated passengers can access. User @drsimonegold tweeted: "WOW: @RoyalCaribbean cruises is now requiring you to get an experimental vaccine to book a cruise with them. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). However, the cruise ship company has now done an a boat face, so to speak. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Adventure of the Seas: "June 5 to October 14, 2021: Instead of offering sailings from Barcelona, Spain, Adventure of the Seas will now offer sailings from Nassau, Bahamas beginning June 2021," the company said. According to CDC rules, cruise ships that dont meet certain vaccination thresholds for passengers and crew must first do a successful test cruise before they can restart revenue cruises. About half of the U.S. population is now fully vaccinated, which means plenty of people still have not been vaccinated. The line's decision to sail less than 95% vaccinated (which requires each ship sailing from the U.S. to complete test voyages under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's supervision) means that there are restrictions on board.
