What If I Have A Certificate Of Recovery
Some countries issue “certificates of recovery” if someone has been infected with COVID-19 and recovered, issuing a certificate that proves a positive COVID-19 test and recovery, instead of vaccination as someone’s proof of immunity. The European Union’s Digital COVID Certificate, for example, includes certification of recovery from COVID-19.
For guests departing outside of the US who are cruising with Royal Caribbean, they may present a certificate of recovery. If you’re not in the US and have a certificate of recovery, contact your desired cruise line before purchasing the cruise.
The US doesn’t issue certificates of recovery at this time, so telling the cruise line you already had COVID-19 won’t get you a vaccine exemption.
What To Know Before You Cruise
Vaccine and pretrip testing requirements can be confusing, especially if you are cruising internationally. Cruise lines have their own rules countries have their own rules. And the rules are constantly changing.
Before your trip, you will need to review your cruise lines health and safety protocols. You may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. And you may have to be vaccinated or not. Depending on the cruise line, fully vaccinated can mean having received the original series at least 14 days prior to your cruise, or the original series plus a booster shot.
In you are an unvaccinated adult, some cruise lines will now let you sail, others will not. If you are allowed onboard, you will need to be tested precruise, which is required for unvaccinated children as well.
The Current Rules On River Cruise Lines
At present most river lines, including AmaWaterways, Avalon, Emerald Cruises, Scenic, Tauck, Uniworld and Viking, require passengers to be fully vaccinated. The only exception is A-Rosa where there is no longer any obligation to provide proof of vaccination. However, the line recommends passengers carry out a self-test before boarding.
Pre-boarding testing for other lines is mainly dependent on the current requirements in the country of embarkation and passengers should check with their line prior to travel.
Also Check: Steamboat Jazz Cruise New Orleans
What You Need To Know
- Protect yourself and others from COVID-19
- Get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before cruise ship travel.
- Check directly with your cruise line about their COVID-19 testing or vaccination protocols before travel.
- If your cruise line does not have a specific testing requirement, get tested as close to time of cruise departure as possible .
- Get tested again after cruise travel.
How Cruise Lines Covid Vaccination And Testing Rules Have Changed
When cruise lines restarted operations in summer 2021, after being banned by the CDC from operating for 15 months due to COVID-19-related safety concerns, it was with strict CDC-imposed regulations. They included vaccination requirements for anyone age 12 and up , precruise testing requirements, mandatory masking in public areas, social distancing, and other measures the CDC said would help contain the spread of COVID-19 on cruise ships.
After two years of first banning and then advising against cruising due to pandemic-related health and safety risks, in late March 2022, the CDC dropped its warning to travelers about the health risks of cruising during the COVID pandemic.
In May, the CDC scaled back slightly on its tough restrictions for cruise lines by allowing ships to declare themselves as highly vaccinated if 90 percent of passengers and at least 95 percent of crew were vaccinated. Previously, the number was 95 percent for passengers. The change allowed more unvaccinated children who didnt yet qualify for a vaccine or had not obtained a vaccine to come onboard during the summer.
The agency provided the cruise lines with greater leeway to set and monitor their own policies. Consequently, most cruise lines opted to make masks optional. But the CDC still maintained a close watch, publishing a color-coded chart of ship outbreaks that it updated regularly.
Also Check: How To Choose The Best Galapagos Cruise
Which Cruise Lines Require That Kids Be Vaccinated
As many cruise lines drop their restriction against unvaccinated kids and begin welcoming them onboard, questions continue to arise on each cruise lines policy concerning whether kids need the vaccine to sail.
Weve put together this list of the major cruise lines in North America and their policies on kids being able to sail with or without the COVID-19 vaccine.
This article was originally published in March 2022. It was updated and republished on June 17, 2022. Check with your cruise line for the latest information.
Can I Go On A Cruise Without Being Vaccinated Or Take A Pre
Jeannine Williamson
Thursday September 29 2022, 11:52am
Most major cruise lines still require passengers to be fully vaccinated, including having the relevant booster jabs. 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. Vaccine requirements are starting to change, however. The CDC updated its guidelines on July 18 so that vaccination is no longer a requirement instead, its merely recommended. A number of cruise lines have reviewed their policies following the change. Heres what you need to know.
Main photo: a cruise ship docked near Grand Turk Island
*This article contains affiliate links.
All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. We feature properties from a specially selected list of trusted operators who are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. This article contains links which are ads and if you click on a link and buy a product we will earn revenue. These links are signposted with an asterisk. The revenue generated will help us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism.
Read Also: Tin Cloth Short Lined Cruiser Jacket
Can Cruise Lines Require Crew And Passengers To Get Covid
In an article published by Cruise Critic, Member Ron Schirtzer is quoted discussing whether travel companies can legally impose vaccine requirements.
From a legal standpoint, there is nothing at this point that would suggest that if you wanted to impose a pre-cruise vaccination requirement that either a government will stop you from doing it or that’s there is a likelihood for civil liability, Schirtzer said.
While mandatory vaccination requirements are not a new concept, exceptions are typically required for those who can demonstrate that taking the vaccine imposes a health risk.
All in all, while a vaccine requirement would potentially inspire some kind of lawsuit, it likely would not be successful, Schirtzer said.
For the full article, click here.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
All guests on all sailings through the end of 2022 with Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection are required to be fully vaccinated. Booster shots might also be required for entry into the specific country of embarkation as well as the destinations along the itinerary.
Children who are not old enough to be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine must present a negative antigen or PCR test result taken within 72 hours of embarkation.
Read Also: What Cruise Ships Go Through The Panama Canal
Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection welcomes all guests regardless of vaccination status. Pre-voyage testing is not required for guests with proof of vaccination unless local regulations stipulate otherwise. To be considered ‘vaccinated’ guests must have been vaccinated at least two weeks prior to boarding. Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken within three days prior to embarkation. All guests will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to boarding.
Do Disney Cruises Require Vaccinations
For the past few years, travel requirements for vaccinations, masking, and COVID-19 testing seem to have been a moving target. Requirements seemed to change almost weekly, and its been easy to become a bit confused about whether Disney Cruises require vaccinations, COVID-19 testing, or masks.
Among all the types of vacations, cruises can be especially confusing in this regard. For example, a U.S. citizen taking an Alaskan Cruise with Disney typically flies from a U.S. airport to a Canadian airport, boards a Bahamian-registered ship at a Canadian port, visits several U.S. ports of call , then returns to a Canadian port before flying back to the U.S. via a Canadian airport.
So lets try to sort out all of the requirements. Fortunately, theyve gotten markedly simpler over the past few months.
Note: Information in this article is accurate as of November 7, 2022. Be sure to check your official Disney Cruise documentation or Disney Cruise Lines Know Before You Go website to ensure youre up-to-date on the latest regulations regarding your sailing. Also, please note that the information article generally refers to requirements for U.S. Citizens traveling from a U.S. port those who are citizens of or who are sailing from another country should ensure theyre aware of any applicable requirements.
Don’t Miss: What Hotels In Galveston Offer Cruise Parking
Which Cruise Lines Require Covid
For the most up-to-date info, visit .The return of cruising is a reason to celebrate after a long and dry 15 months. But even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provisionally cleared cruises to sail at this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, figuring out how to do so as a passenger requires some research. While vaccinated passengers will have an easier time getting on board, the actual requirements vary by cruise line and even by state.
Despite what its being called by each cruise line Traveling Well, Sailing With Safety the idea behind all of the new health protocols is ultimately passenger and crew wellbeing. The following is a breakdown of current COVID-19 health and safety requirements by cruise line.
Where a vaccine requirement is noted, that indicates that the second dose has been administered at least 14 days prior to boarding. Most cruise lines do not accept mixed vaccines. Check CDC and cruise line guidelines for more on which vaccines apply.
Cruise Lines Requiring Full COVID-19 Vaccination
Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven SeasNorwegian Cruise Line Holdings recently made headlines when it sued the State of Florida over its ban on mask and vaccine mandates.
Guests boarding any cruise line in the NCLH portfolio Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, or Regent Seven Seas are required to be vaccinated for all sailings embarking through October 31, 2021.
Crew Requirements: Crew is vaccinated per CDC guidelines.
Cruise Vaccine Requirements & Policies
Before you sail away on your next adventure, we at Cruise Guru strongly recommend you check that youve met all cruise vaccine requirements well before the voyage. With much discussion about cruises and vaccines, it can quite become quite confusing to determine your specific cruise vaccination requirements. Not to worry, we provide a complete breakdown of your chosen cruise lines cruise vaccination policy below.
Recommended Reading: Cruise From San Francisco To Mexico
Will I Need A Covid
Editors note: This post has been updated with new information.
When the first cruises allowing Americans restarted in spring 2021, all major lines were sailing with at least 90% of passengers vaccinated against COVID-19. That meant they required just about everyone on board to have their shots, with few exceptions allowed for young children and people who cant be vaccinated due to medical conditions or religious beliefs.
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.
So, will you need a vaccine to cruise? Click on your favorite cruise line below to find out.
For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs new cruise newsletter.
Note: In order to be considered “fully vaccinated,” passengers must have received their final shot at least 15 days prior to embarkation. Most lines only accept vaccines recognized and approved by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Generally, proof of inoculation must include your name, the type of vaccine you received and the dates on which you received all required doses.
Check out our recap of youth immunization policies for details on cruise vaccination requirements for kids. For general information on testing, please refer to our article on cruise testing requirements.
A Guide To Every Major Cruise Line’s Health Requirements For Safe Sailing
Travel + LeisureT+L
Cruise lines have shifted their requirements for passengers, making cruising accessible to practically everyone. Many popular cruise lines have eliminated the vaccine and pre-embarkation test as the industry is beginning to shift away from mandatory vaccines and testing.
The changes began shortly after the CDC ended a pandemic-era policy of publicly displaying COVID-19 cases onboard, different cruise lines to the public in July 2022. For those looking to check current COVID-19 trends onboard the CDC urges direct contact with the cruise line, and the organization will continue to monitor and offer guidelines to ships.
Below, we break down each line’s list of regulations to sail as well as what travelers need to know to plan.
Don’t Miss: What Company Owns Crystal Cruises
First Cruise From Us Port In More Than 15 Months Sets Sail
When asked how Carnival intends to handle Floridas new law, a spokesperson did not comment on the decision to break from the law and instead referred NBC News to its frequently-asked-questions page, which states that guests will be asked to confirm their status as fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and provide proof of vaccination in advance of boarding, unless a vaccination exemption is given in advance.
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.
Democrats have denounced the new law and accused DeSantis of undermining both public health and the cruise industry.
“The governor is dictatorially imposing his will on Florida businesses trying to protect their customers, including cruise lines on whom our agriculture industry depends for millions in food sales,” Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a statement to NBC News.
Fried, a Democrat, is running to unseat DeSantis in next years election.
Pushaw said the governors executive order is not likely to scare away seagoing travelers.
Its almost unheard of for a vaccinated person to get seriously ill with Covid-19, she said in an email. Therefore, people who are vaccinated should not be worried about getting infected from those who arent.
Prior to the pandemic, the industry directly and indirectly supported nearly 160,000 jobs in Florida.
The Cruise Lines That Have Dropped Travel Restrictions
This post may have affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through them. Here’s our Disclosure & Privacy Policy for more info.
4 weeks ago
Which cruise lines have dropped COVID-related travel restrictions?
Heres everything you need to know about which cruise lines have dropped vaccine mandates and pre-cruise testing requirements
According to recent research from Squaremouth, 65% of cruise travelers said they arent concerned about COVID anymore.
With many countries dropping all entry restrictions in recent months, cruise lines have been following suit and removing onerous requirements like mask-wearing, vaccine mandates, and pre-cruise COVID testing.
However, not all cruise lines have returned to normal cruising yet.
Heres an overview of which cruise lines have dropped restrictions and which ones still have rules in place:
Recommended Reading: Transportation To Miami Cruise Port
A Quick Cruise Line Guide To Covid Requirements
Heres a rundown of the basic rules for some leading cruise lines. Note: There may be additional requirements if you are traveling internationally, and the rules can changesometimes overnight. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding.
American Queen VoyagesOn this lines river, ocean, Great Lakes and expedition ships, all passengers are required to be vaccinated. A precruise test is no longer required on the river ships. On ocean, lakes, and expedition ships that visit Canada, there is a free COVID-19 test at the precruise hotel check-in on the day prior to embarkation until further notice. Guests may also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test by an accredited third-party with results from within two days of embarkation, if they choose.
Celebrity CruisesBeginning September 5, all passengers regardless of vaccination status can cruise from the U.K., Europe, and Los Angeles. Otherwise, vaccines are required for passengers age 12 and up. No precruise testing is required for vaccinated guests on sailings of five nights or less. Testing is required on sailings of six nights or more. Unvaccinated guests are required to be tested.
CunardAll guests age 16 and up must be vaccinated, including with booster shots. Children age 12 to 15 must have received two initial doses of the vaccination. All passengers age 4 and up must take a prearrival test and show a negative result to board.
Will Cruise Lines Drop Their Vaccine Requirement
While most cruise lines require adults to be vaccinated right now, unvaccinated readers want to know when the vaccine mandate may go away.
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. As long as Covid-19 remains a pandemic, it seems unlikely cruise lines will change protocols.
As the threat of Covid-19 begins to diminish, there is a possibility cruise lines may relax health protocols, including allowing unvaccinated people to go on a cruise ship.
For now, none of the cruise lines that have a vaccine requirement have announced any plans to rescind that rule in the future.
Read Also: What Is The Largest Cruise Ship In The World