No way, experts say. Major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line International dropped their vaccine requirements for many sailing in early September and eased. 29 March The UK government publishes the list of those in England who will still be eligible for free lateral flow tests from 1 April. Answers for Your Vacation | Royal Caribbean Cruises "So it's one of those things where, was it worth the risk?" Do I have to be vaccinated to go on a cruise? Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Here's what passengers should know. The revised guidance no longer advises screening or testing in most settings for people without symptoms or known exposure. Royal Caribbean also updated its testing requirements, calling them easier. Since then, other cruise lines have opened up their ships from Florida ports, which lead many to question why Royal Caribbean had not done the same. 15 February Figures indicate the number of children being home-schooled in England has risen by 34% since the start of the pandemic. Next month, unvaccinated travelers 5 years old and older on voyages less than 16 days will have to get a PCR test or perform. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line to Tighten Mask Rules "The time has come for us to welcome all adventurers back onboard," Royal Caribbean said in an email to travel agents. On Princess Cruises, reservations can be made through the MedallionClass app. 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 . 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. The available itineraries include: Some testing guidelines do remain in effect for Royal Caribbean guests. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. Two major cruise lines, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, have both tightened their policy on onboard face masks in the wake of a swift-moving Omicron. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Princess Cruises are easing their vaccination policies. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. As figures suggest one in fifteen people in the UK had COVID on New Year's Eve, Prime Minister. Additionally, Carnival will no longer require pre-embarkation testing on cruises that are less than 16 nights for vaccinated passengers who provide proof of their vaccination status. "We are collaborating with local governments throughout the Caribbean to align on vaccination requirements for additional itineraries," the spokesperson added. For other passengers, the remaining COVID protocols werereassuring. Four major cruise linesaredroppingtheirvaccination requirements for some sailings next month, the cruise lines said. A Country-by-country Guide, Where Americans Can Travel in Asia A Country-by-country Guide, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Will No Longer Require Face Masks, Every Caribbean Island's COVID-19 Travel Policies and What You Need to Know to Plan Your Trip, Carnival Cruise Line to Lift Mask Requirement on Board Starting March 1, Royal Caribbean Launches Hotel Booking Platform for One-stop Trip Planning, drop pandemic-era vaccination requirements. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing it? 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. Boarding Requirements Travel Documents Beverage Packages Check-In Crown & Anchor Society Embarkation & Transportation RoyalUp Stateroom Upgrade Program Perfect Day at CocoCay Onboard Internet Payment & Cancellation Policies Luggage, Dress Code & Packing Terminal Location & Directions VIEW ALL TOPICS Accessibility Onboard Air2Sea Flight Program 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. After more than 2 years under a COVID cloud, the answer is yes. Vaccines are required for passengers on Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise lines. 5 September The deployment of the Autumn 2022 COVID-19 booster programme begins in England, with care home residents and people who are housebound the first to be offered the vaccine. 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. How the pandemic has changed your next cruise. These travelers will still need to apply for an exemption on cruises to Australia and longer voyages. Royal Caribbean will begin accepting results from self-administered home tests. Royal Caribbean and Carnival join cruises dropping some vaccine rules "I don't know,I don't think so.". While Welch enjoyed the cruise, Welch found that few passengers followed such recommendations. These Cruise Lines Will Accept At-home Covid Tests for - Travel Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces that the requirements to present COVID passes at certain venues and events and to wear face coverings on public transport and in certain indoor locations, along with the guidance to work remotely, would cease to apply after 26 January. Unvaccinated guests (those 4 and under) must provide proof of a negative NAAT or PCR test within three days of sailing. Whats going on? When cruise lines first started sailing in a post-pandemic world, many implemented strict testing and vaccination rules, in line with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of people on hospital waiting lists in England reaches six million, with roughly one in 20 waiting for routine operations such as knee surgery for over a year. To go onshore, you must meet the health protocols of the country the ship visits. While Young feels certain she contracted COVID on the cruise, she does not know whether the COVID restrictions ending played a role. 3) Regulations 2020, The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020, Coronavirus, International Travel and Operator Liability (England) Regulations 2021, Coronavirus, Restrictions (No. All domestic legal COVID restrictions are officially lifted in England. Travelers can take steps to protect themselves and others while onboard. Unvaccinated travelers on longer sailings will have to get a PCR or medically-assisted rapid antigen test taken within three days of embarkation. While vaccination is not required, Royal Caribbean kindly asks all guests to disclose their status during check-in to ensure they maintain a highly vaccinated onboard population. Testing Requirements: All guests 2 and older are required to submit a negative test regardless of vaccination status. You wont be lining up at the buffet for meals. she told USA TODAY. Royal Caribbean Brings Back a Covid Change Passengers Like - MSN Vaccinated guests will no longer need to test, Carnival said, with the exception of sailings to Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia, per local guidelines, and on cruises longer than 16 nights. They must . Follow her adventures on Instagram. does royal caribbean require covid vaccine - ams-technology.pl Masks are strongly recommended in all public places on cruise ships. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. In a statement, Royal Caribbean says this change in protocols are "tomore closely align with the broader travel industry.". Royal Caribbean Extends Covid-Era Refund Offer as CDC - TheStreet The following is a timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in England during 2022. Beginning September 5, all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, can cruise on the following itineraries, as long as they meet testing requirements to board. The Majestic Princess, a ship designed to serve the Chinese market, made its maiden call from the Port of L.A. on Oct. 6. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Cruise lines change COVID rules: Azamara and Silversea Cruises drop vaccine requirements following major lines, A large ship with personalized service:Sun Princess ship to join Princess Cruises fleet in 2024. Royal Caribbean cruises for 2022 are nearly at 2019 levels, the company's chief financial officer, Jason Liberty, said on a recent earnings . 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. This page is updated to provide guests with information when a situation develops. Royal Caribbean International has updated its health and safety protocols for sailings from the United States, Barbados, and Puerto Rico through April 14, 2022. Health Secretary. 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. Travel tips you can trust. 3 things to know before stepping foot on the ship, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. On Royal Caribbean, unvaccinated travelers 12 and older leaving from a U.S. or Caribbean port still have to get tested within three days of embarkation, according to the cruise line, but vaccinated guests are exempt from testing entirely. Most self-serve buffets have been modified so that employees serve passengers to avoid unnecessary crowding. Cruises 6 days or more: All guests are required to take an official COVID-19 test before boarding. The Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) serving Wiltshire, Swindon and Bath has expressed its concern at the low number of five to eleven-year-olds classed as clinically at risk taking up their offer of a COVID vaccine, with 4.7%, or 250 out of 5,300 eligible children having received a vaccine. Details of a review used by the UK government to reintroduce face masks in schools for England comes to light in which the evidence of their effectiveness is described as "not conclusive". Royal Caribbean Makes a Positive Policy Change. 7 April Hospitals in England are under "enormous strain", with some so busy they are having to divert ambulances to other sites; 20 hospitals have issued such instructions in the past week. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all passengers be fully vaccinated before boarding a cruise ship. Royal Caribbean will accept a variety of tests as proof to board, including simply taking a photo of a self-administered home test. The changes come after Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. announced plans to adjust its COVID-19 rules as well, allowing all passengers to embark. The line notified the 53-year-old, who is vaccinated and boosted,of the changes ahead of time, and theydid not give him pause. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? Detours with locals. "Our dedication to the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit is reflected in our protocols and procedures, which were developed in consultation with our medical experts and have proven very effective and adaptable to the evolving public health situation," Carnival told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. Daniel Kline Apr 20, 2022. The Checkup With Dr. Wen: Who should get a second bivalent booster? "These updated guidelines help ensure a Princess vacation is available to everyone," John Padgett, the president of Princess Cruises, said in a statement provided to T L. "The Princess experience is truly one-of-a-kind and we encourage everyone to take a Princess vacation that offers amazing service at unmatched value.". Testing Requirements for Unvaccinated Passengers: All unvaccinated guests ages 2 and older are. The requirement for face masks to be worn on. He has been a journalist with the Los Angeles Times for more than 30 years, covering politics, transportation, travel, business and the outdoors. CDC data shows COVID-19 numbers on cruises after vaccine rules dropped Like what you see? For European cruises that call on ports in Greece or Spain, for example, any travelers who are not considered up to date according to guidelines from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), must take a test onboard their ship prior to debarking. Disney, Virgin Voyages, and more are the latest cruise lines to lift COVID-19 restrictions. Virgin Voyages Becomes First Major Cruise Line to Eliminate Pre-embarkation COVID Testing in the U.S. Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing, The Bahamas Just Eliminated All Pre-arrival Testing for Vaccinated Travelers, Where Can Americans Travel Right Now? Vaccinated guests must continue to provide evidence of their vaccination status, either through VeriFLY or at embarkation. The Frisco, Texas, resident said shefeltcrowded on the seven-night Caribbean voyage, and shealsofelt uneasyat times, such aswhen exiting the theater, but had a "great time" overall. The government of the Bahamas, for example, recently announced that all cruise visitors must be fully vaccinated, with the exception of travelers under age 12 and those with medical exemptions. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted. Unvaccinated guests age 5 and older must still test before sailing, but can do so up to three days prior to embarkation, regardless of cruise length. Shrimp po boys and live music: Big Freedias New Orleans favorites. Taking a cruise with fewer COVID rules: 'Gambling with your health' A man has been fined 7,000 for repeatedly leaving his room at a quarantine hotel in April 2021 to smoke, even after his wife had tested positive for COVID. The Majestic Princess cruise ship docked at the Port of L.A. in October. "You utilize them, and you just make your own individual choices.". "We continue to normalize along with all other forms of travel and hospitality and willmaintain additional layers of protection that far exceed any other vacation experience. While vaccination is not required, they kindly ask passengers to disclose their vaccine status during check-in. Several other cruise lines have also joined in easing restrictions to board, including MSC Cruises, which has dropped testing completely for vaccinated travelers sailing to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Some cruise lines will also require passengers whether vaccinated or not to show proof of a COVID-19 test taken within two days of boarding a vessel. Death on the high seas: Cruise passengers face head winds with COVID lawsuits, First Republic: Cheap, interest-only jumbo mortgages to Silicon Valleys elite fueled the banks failure, SpaceX used wildlife preserve as dumping ground for space waste, lawsuit alleges, This Barbie is a Hollywood legend: Mattel debuts elegant Anna May Wong doll. on December 18, 2021 Last updated: 8:21 PM ET, Sat December 18, 2021. Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in England (2022) When cruise lines are still requiring testing - USA Today These Cruise Lines Just Dropped Their COVID-19 Testing Rules Adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages also removed all vaccine and testing requirements for all its ships on Oct. 30, according to the company. 28 May A 20m memorial to people who died from coronavirus is ceremonially burned in an event at the. On Royal Caribbean, unvaccinated travelers 12 and older leaving from a U.S. or Caribbean port still have to get tested within three days of embarkation, according to the cruise line, but. 25 January Figures show that around one million children were absent from school in England on Thursday 20 January for COVID-related reasons. Carnival Cruise, Royal Caribbean and more to drop vaccine requirements Several major cruise lines have dropped COVID-19-related testing protocols ahead of the holiday season, returning to what it was like before the pandemic swept the world. Azamara and Silversea Cruises drop vaccine requirements following major lines, Sun Princess ship to join Princess Cruises fleet in 2024, Highlighting the panic, failures ofCOVID's early days, Why they are 'the perfect antidote to todays harried, constantly connected lifestyle', This is what it's like cruising with a disability right now, Watch a solar eclipse from the sea on this Ponant cruise, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Youngand her husbandhad mixed feelings about the changes, which happened just before their Sept. 10 cruise from Miami. and New Orleans. On a cruise, Garcia said, passengers are beholden to policies set by the cruise line for long periods of time. Royal Caribbean cruises that dont require vaccination include sailings that leave from European ports, Los Angeles, Galveston, Tex. Many other lines have implemented similarmeasures. On Celebrity Cruises, reservations can be made on the Celebrity Cruises App. Currently, the cruise line requires all unvaccinated guests to get tested one to two days before they sail. Carnival similarly has dropped both vaccine and testing rules for all travelers on cruises that are 15 nights or less. 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. Many major cruise lines have eased their COVID-19 rules, including dropping vaccine requirements. Some 200 cruises are scheduled to depart from there in 2022, up from 120 in 2019. Is the cruise industry coming back? Guests who are up to date with their vaccinations wont have to take a pre-cruise test on cruises that are shorter than 10 nights. Coast Guard Rescues 4 Passengers from 3 Cruise Ships in 24 Hours, Holland America Opens Alaska Season With Special 150th Events, Viking Vessel Launches Toronto 2023 Cruise Season, MSC Cruises Announces First-Ever Winter Season in Japan, All sailings from Los Angeles, California; Galveston, Texas; and New Orleans, Louisiana. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Protocols for Singapore Departures Vaccination We recommend that guests be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, if eligible. Royal Caribbean has once more updated and simplified its health and safety protocols, opening up more cruises to more passengers. Ministers have said there is nothing in the data to suggest new COVID rules are needed for England. Several other cruise lines have relaxed testing rules for vaccinated guests, including Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville at Sea cruise line and Virgin Voyages. 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. Starting with September 5th,for Europe cruises that don't visit Greece: Starting September 5th, guests who are not vaccinated can also sail on European cruises. Hugo Martn is an assistant editor on the Fast Break Desk, the Los Angeles Times breaking news team. For Cruises from Australia All guests aged 2 and above, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative test result for a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 2 days before boarding day, or a self-administered Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 1 day before boarding, for sailings of any length. "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. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? While Royal Caribbean is easing restrictions to permit more guests to set sail, the cruise line is still committed to protecting all passengers, crew members, and port communities. How have boarding, dining and other activities on board changed? Going forward, the cruise . Travelers who sail to Canada, Bermuda, Greece, Australia, or on longer cruises will still have to get tested to board. Boarding Requirements FAQ | Royal Caribbean Cruises Rules regarding PCR tests in England are to change from the following week, meaning anyone testing positive for COVID with a lateral flow test but who have no symptoms will no longer need to follow the test with a PCR test; they will still be required to self-isolate for seven days though. The cruise line continues to practice health and safety measures that exceed other types of vacations. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. There are significant differences in the legislation and the reporting between the countries of the UK: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. The 48-year-old's first cruise was aboard one ofRoyal Caribbean International's firstsailings after the linedropped itsCOVID-19 vaccine requirementand further eased pre-cruise testing rules. The company will also simplify its rules for unvaccinated passengers. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! 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. Will I need to make reservations for dining and other onboard activities? England's deputy chief medical officer, Professor. Special walk-in vaccination sessions have been held in Lincolnshire aimed at people with a phobia of needles. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Starting this month, cruise lines including Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin Voyages have simplified or removed COVID-19-related pre-boarding rules entirely, joining a growing trend in the cruise industry. Previously, Royal Caribbean required vaccinated travelers to get tested for cruises that were 10 nights and longer and required unvaccinated travelers 5 and older to get tested as well. The number of patients in hospital with COVID-19 in England falls below 10,000 for the first time since December, with figures showing 9,804 on 16 February, the lowest number since 28 December 2021. 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. 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. "Part of us waslike, 'Oh well, that's great because it's a little bit more convenient,' but then another part of me was like, 'I wonder what that's going to mean (if other people)are sick?'" Guests who do not meet that standard will be required to take the onboard tests before visiting Greece or Spain. What are the pre-cruise testing requirements for my cruise? | Royal Dr. Lorena Garcia, a professor of epidemiology at the University of California Davis School of Medicine, said travelers shouldfirst make a"personal risk assessment" when considering cruise travel, given that it can vary depending on a passenger's age, medical conditions, and other factors. 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. Travel health expert explains how to stay safe when taking a cruise. The changescomeafter Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.announced plans toadjust its COVID-19 rulesas well, allowing allpassengers to embark. - As of the winter 2022 Caribbean and Central America season, Star Clippers no longer requires COVID-19 vaccinations for passengers. Ever since the start of the pandemic, new COVID-19 protocols have complicated many travelers' ideal summer getaway: cruising. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is dropping its COVID-19 vaccine Resources, laws. They must test within three days of boarding.. Royal Caribbean Group,parent company of Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity, alsorolled back its testing requirements this month, following the end of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships. The cruise lines plan to increase capacity over the next few months. Carnival Corp., the worlds largest cruise company, reported that bookings for the second half of 2022 already surpassed bookings for 2019. But cruising is back and all signs point to a turn of the tide for the industry: More cruises are scheduled to depart the Port of Los Angeles next year than in 2019. Tests must be taken within three days of embarkation. Beginning September 4, no fully vaccinated passengers will be required to test before sailing. She recommended high-risk travelers, like those who are immunocompromised, wear masks anytime they are outside their cabin. Royal Caribbean updates Covid protocols to open more sailings to You received your final dose in your original vaccine series (or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson) no more than 9 months (270 days) ago, or a booster dose.