Royal Caribbean published updates to its testing requirements on the cruise line’s website at the end of July. Subsequently, Royal Caribbean dropped its vaccine requirement for some cruises starting with September 5th departures. Now, Royal Caribbean provides even further updates to vaccination and testing protocols.

Royal Caribbean Provides Further Updates to Vaccination and Testing Protocols

Up until today’s announcement, all travelers regardless of vaccination status were allowed to cruise on the following itineraries beginning with September 5th departures:

• 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)

However, vaccination requirements remained in place for all other homeports including Florida.

In terms of testing, vaccinated guests were exempt from testing on sailings of 6 days or less. However, testing was still required of all guests on sailings greater than 6 days in length.

Updated Protocols: U.S. Departures 9‐Nights or Less

Today’s announcement has updated protocols for all U.S. departures less than 10 days, excluding sailings to Bermuda and Canada.

All Guests, All Aboard

Beginning September 5th, 2022, Royal Caribbean is welcoming all guests, regardless of vaccination status, on most U.S. departures except those that visit Canada and Bermuda. While vaccination is not required, the cruise line kindly asks guests to disclose their vaccination status during check-in to ensure the cruise line maintains a highly vaccinated onboard population.

Unvaccinated guests are now welcomed on the following itineraries:

• Any cruise from a Florida home port 
• Any cruise on Oasis of the Seas from Cape Liberty
• Any cruise from Los Angeles, California
• Any cruise from Galveston, Texas
• Any cruise from New Orleans, Louisiana 
• Any cruise from a European home port
  (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)

Current published testing and vaccination requirements remain in place for cruises from Australia and Singapore; cruises that depart from or visit Canada or Bermuda; and transatlantic sailings.

Testing

Unvaccinated guests aged 5 and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of their sail date. Vaccinated guests no longer need to test for sailing lengths of 9 nights or less.

Further, guests can now take advantage of at-home antigen tests (even unsupervised ones!) to satisfy this requirement. Proof of a negative test can be printed or digital results, a clear photo of your self-test result, or your actual self-test in hand. To learn more about accepted tests, visit Royal Caribbean’s FAQ.

Comments

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