Heidi BucoloJust two weeks ago, Royal Caribbean published updates to its testing requirements. The cruise line indicated that these protocols better aligned with the travel and hospitality sector and met destination regulations. Now, Royal Caribbean drops vaccine requirements for some cruises as well.
Royal Caribbean Updates to Testing Protocols
Starting with August 8, 2022 departures, these updates include:
- Requiring testing for unvaccinated guests on all sailings, and for vaccinated guests on sailings that are six nights or longer.
- Maintaining a high percentage of fully vaccinated guests onboard all sailings, far above the general population.
- All crew will continue to be fully vaccinated and boosted when eligible, and tested regularly.
These updates also applied to sister brand, Celebrity Cruises.
Other Cruise Lines’ Recent Updates to Testing and Vaccination Protocols
Other brands like Carnival Cruises and MSC Cruises followed suit with very similar updates to their testing protocols as Royal Caribbean.
However, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas cruises, was the first to update its vaccination requirements in addition to testing requirements.
On August 8th, NCLH announced revisions to its SailSAFE health and safety protocols which further align the Company to the broader travel, leisure, and hospitality industry worldwide.
Vaccinated guests aged 12 and over will no longer have any pre-cruise COVID-19 related protocols. Further, unvaccinated guests may embark with a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, subject to local regulations.
This policy goes into effect across Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises for all sailings that commence on or after September 3, 2022.
The Company does note that requirements may differ for guests traveling on voyages departing from or visiting destinations with specific local regulations, including but not limited to Canada, Greece, and Bermuda.
Royal Caribbean Drops Vaccine Requirement for Some Cruises
Now, Royal Caribbean has also updated its vaccination requirements for certain cruises.
Starting with September 5th departures, all travelers regardless of vaccination status can cruise on the following itineraries, as long as they meet any testing requirements to board.
- Cruises from Los Angeles, California
- Cruises from Galveston, Texas
(Note: Currently, only guests that show a valid vaccination record can get off the ship in Grand Cayman) - Cruises from New Orleans, Louisiana
(Note: Currently, only guests that show a valid vaccination record can get off the ship in Grand Cayman) - Cruises from a European homeport
(Note: Guests that are not “up to date” on their vaccination per EMA standards will need to take a test onboard in order to get off the ship in Greece and Spain)
Vaccination requirements remain in place until further notice for any homeport not mentioned above, including all Florida sailings.
These changes also apply to sister brand, Celebrity Cruises. Specifically, all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, can now cruise on the following itineraries as long as they meet any testing requirements to board:
- All sailings departing from the UK and Europe (with the exception of Iceland)
- All sailings departing from Los Angeles
Comments
What do you think of the news that Royal Caribbean drops its vaccine requirement for some cruises? Are you happy with this change or did you like knowing that everyone onboard was vaccinated? Drop us an anchor below to share your thoughts on this recent cruise news.
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3 comments
slade
I wish they had cruises where no one was injected. The injections were the biggest failure in my lifetime. They made people sicker and killed many people. Anytime there are mandates, run the opposite direction, it was medical tyranny, a sad low point in humanity. Now that they dropped them, we can do business again. It only took 10s of thousands of lives to be lost for them to do it though. Shame on them for the coercion, breaking our Nuremberg treaty for experimentation and for ruining the lives of many. They never prevented transmission or infection. That is key to remember.
Julia
All ports should have the same right as the ones that were lifted. Vaccinated people get Covid so what’s the difference? Unvaccinated people should be allowed to sail out of Florida without feeling pressured. The vaccine does not protect you from getting Covid.
Danuta Witek
Iam very happy that something is starting to move in the right direction.Well ,I can wait until the mandate for other US ports will be lifted.This is the best vacation. Thank you