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Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing

A guide to every major cruise line's health requirements for safe sailing.

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.

American Queen Voyages

Where they sail:

American Queen Voyages is known for its Mississippi River cruises as well as sailings down other U.S. rivers like the Columbia and Snake rivers, using classic paddle wheeler ships for a throwback, romantic vibe.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew must be fully vaccinated (14 days after their final shot).

What other safety measures are in place: Luggage is then disinfected before being brought onto the ship and staterooms cleaned with electrostatic fogging.

Find out more : American Queen Voyages

Avalon Waterways

Where they sail: These small-ship river cruises sail throughout Europe, Asia, South America, and down the Nile River in Egypt.

Who needs the vaccine: All international travelers from the U.S. must be fully vaccinated before boarding. Beginning March 2023 the vaccine is no longer required (but strongly encouraged).

What other safety measures are in place: All guests will undergo a health screening upon arrival and luggage will be disinfected. Avalon will provide COVID-19 testing for travelers who need to show proof of a negative test to return home at no extra cost. Depending on the location of the cruise a pre-departure COVID-19 test may or may not be required.

Find out more: Avalon Waterways

Where they sail : Azamara sails mid-size ships all over the world, to all seven continents.

Who needs the vaccine : All guests and crew 12 and older will be required to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before boarding a ship. Beginning Dec. 1, 2022, the company plans to drop the vaccine requirement for departures from the U.S. and Europe.

What other safety measures are in place : Depending on the port of embarkation guests may or may not to pre-test to travel. For a full list of ports and whether they require a test guests can check online .

Azamara's ships have been upgraded with new HVAC filtration systems, and EPA-certified disinfectants are used to clean the ship.

Find out more : Azamara

Carnival Cruises

Where they sail: Carnival sails large ships around the world, including popular trips to the Caribbean. The company sailed its maiden voyage on the Mardi Gras out of Florida in July.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are encouraged to be vaccinated but unvaccinated travelers, or vaccinated guests without proof of vaccination, will have to present the negative results of a PCR or antigen test taken no earlier than 3 days before sailing.

What other safety measures are in place: For cruises five days or less, there will no longer be pre-cruise testing for vaccinated passengers unless a specific port requires it. Itineraries including Bahamas, Bermuda, or Grand Cayman will still be required to test. All guests will also be required to fill out a health screening 72 hours before embarkation and undergo health screenings prior to boarding. Unvaccinated travelers on a cruise to Bermuda will be required to purchase travel insurance (children under 12 are exempt as long as they are traveling with vaccinated parents).

Both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests who have recovered from COVID-19 within three months of their sailing date, do not need the required pre-cruise COVID test before embarkation, only if they are at least 10 days past their COVID-19 infection, have no symptoms and present documentation of recovery from COVID-19 from their healthcare provider.

Find out more: Carnival Cruise Line

Celebrity Cruises

Where they sail: Celebrity Cruises sails all over the world.

Who needs the vaccine: The vaccine is no longer required to sail on cruises from the U.S. and Europe. A vaccine is required for sailings visiting Canada.

What other safety measures are in place: A pre-embarkation test is no longer required for vaccinated guests on sailings nine days or less. Unvaccinated passengers will still be required to test three days prior to sailing. Self-tests are acceptable from European and U.S. ports that don't stop in Bermuda or Canada.

Find out more : Celebrity Cruises

Where they sail: Cunard, which sails all over the world, is known for its transatlantic journeys aboard the Queen Mary 2.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests 18 and older must be fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated passengers under 18 will be required to undergo a PCR test within 72 hours of their departure.

What other safety measures are in place: Cunard has "enhanced" their onboard ventilation systems and implemented mandatory mask-wearing policies indoors. All guests aged 4 and older are required to have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding. Crew will be tested regularly while on board. Guests who have certain pre-existing medical conditions, including those who are on supplementary oxygen, will not be allowed to board.

Find out more: Cunard

Disney Cruise Line

Where they sail: Disney sails family-friendly journeys including to the Caribbean, Europe, and Alaska.

Who needs the vaccine: Vaccination is no longer required by highly suggested.

What other safety measures are in place: Unvaccinated guests must provide results of a COVID-19 test taken 1 to 2 days before sail date, at home tests are not accepted. The Cruise line also has a full list of enhanced cleaning protocols.

Find out more: Disney Cruise Line

Grand Circle Cruise Line

Where they sail: Grand Circle Cruise Line sails small ships and river cruises all over the world, including an extensive list of European itineraries. The company plans to start sailing again in August, including to Greece, Turkey, and Italy.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew are required to be fully vaccinated with the booster shot.

What other safety measures are in place: All ships have been equipped with High Efficiency Particular Air (HEPA) filters and buffets have been eliminated. The cruise line states some itineraries will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel , and that instructors will be sent out 30 days prior to travel.

Find out mor e: Grand Circle Cruise Line

Holland America

Where they sail: Holland America sails large ships all over the world, including to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Europe, and more.

Who needs the vaccine: Unvaccinated guests are welcome but will be required to self-test three days before cruising.

What other safety measures are in place: Vaccinated passengers traveling on ships for less than 16 days excluding itineraries with the Panama Canal, trans-ocean, and other selected itineraries will no longer be required to test.

Find out more: Holland America

Lindblad Expeditions

Where they sail: Lindblad Expeditions is known for its adventurous trips to hard-to-reach destinations like Antarctica and the Russian Far East, partnering with National Geographic to add to the experience.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests 12 and older need to be vaccinated before boarding. Boosters are recommended but not required.

What other safety measures are in place: Pre-departure testing will not be required unless for a specific destination.

Find out more : Lindblad Expeditions

Margaritaville at Sea

Where they sail: Margaritaville at Sea offers 3-day cruises to Grand Bahama Island departing from the port of Palm Beach. The cruise line also offers the opportunity to take the ship one way to the Bahamas to allow guests to stay at the Margaritaville resort, and then take the ship back to the Bahamas at a later date.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are welcome regardless of vaccination status, according to the cruise line.

What other safety measures are in place: All crew members must be vaccinated for COVID-19 and the cruise line states there are vaccination requirements on board (but does not specify).

Find out more: Margaritaville at Sea

MSC Cruises

Where they sail: MSC Cruises sails large ocean cruises around the world, including throughout Europe, South America, the Persian Gulf, and the Caribbean. In August, the company started sailing to the Bahamas with a stop at its private island, Ocean Cay.

Who needs the vaccine: Vaccinations are recommended but no longer required.

What other safety measures are in place: Fully-vaccinated passengers are no longer required to show proof of a negative test unless it is required of the destination. Unvaccinated children must show proof of a negative PCR test.

Find out more: MSC Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line

Where they sail: Norwegian sails big ocean cruises all around the world, including popular itineraries all throughout the Caribbean and Greece.

Who needs the vaccine: All passengers may sail regardless of vaccination status.

What other safety measures are in place: Testing is no longer required for any passenger regardless of vaccination status with the exception of local government mandates.

Find out more : Norwegian Cruise Line

Oceania Cruises

Where they sail: Oceania Cruises sails all over the world, including offering several World Cruise itineraries.

Who needs the vaccine: All passengers regardless of vaccination status are allowed to sail.

What other safety measures are in place: Only unvaccinated guests will be required to show proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken 72 hours prior to boarding. Unvaccinated children aged 12 years and younger are exempt.

Find out more : Oceania Cruises

P&O Cruises

Where they sail: The UK-based cruise line sails around Europe, including to the Canary Islands, as well as to the Caribbean from Southampton in the UK.

Who needs the vaccine: Although P&O Cruises' policy states that passengers over the age of 15 are required to be vaccinated, the latest update on its website says guests will be contacted directly in regards to vaccination protocol.

What other safety measures are in place: All guests are required to undergo a COVID-19 test at the terminal. Masks will be required on board indoors, and all shore excursions will be with vetted operators.

Find out more : P&O Cruises

Princess Cruises

Where they sail: The global cruise line sails large ocean ships all around the world, from Australia to Alaska.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are welcome on board, but unvaccinated passengers will be required to test and may need an additional medical exemption at some ports.

Find out more : Princess Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Where they sail: Regent Seven Seas offers all-inclusive luxury cruises around the globe, which include perks like free airfare, free excursions, and complimentary unlimited drinks on board.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are now welcome. Unvaccinated passengers will be required to test 3-days before embarkation.

What other safety measures are in place: Pre-departure testing may not be necessary depending on the port. Currently cruises leaving from Bermuda, Canada, and Greece will require a test.

Find out more : Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Royal Caribbean International

Where they sail: Royal Caribbean sails large ocean ships all over the world, including many popular itineraries throughout the Caribbean and Asia.

Who needs the vaccine: Everyone is welcome regardless of vaccination status, passengers traveling to Bermuda or Canada are required to be vaccinated.

W hat other safety measures are in place: Vaccinated travelers will no longer need a negative test on sailings shorter than 10 nights. Unvaccinated travelers aged 5 and older will need to take a test within 3 days of boarding. Self-administered tests are accepted.

Find out more : Royal Caribbean International

Where they sail: The British cruise line, exclusively for guests 50 and older, sails both ocean and river cruises around the globe.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests must be fully vaccinated, including a booster shot at least 14 days before boarding a ship. Saga was the first major cruise line to implement this vaccination policy.

What other safety measures are in place: Ocean Cruise guests will be required to get tested for COVID-19 in the terminal. Masks are required on bus transfers, in hotels, and on excursions.

Find out more : Saga

Where they sail: Seabourn's mid-size luxury cruises head all around the world, from Alaska to the Caribbean.

Who needs the vaccine: Vaccinations are not required on most cruise itineraries, unvaccinated guests will be required to present a negative test taken within three days of embarkation.

What other safety measures are in place: Masks are recommended onboard in most indoor venues and the casinos are frequently sanitized.

Find out more : Seabourn

Where they sail: Silversea brings guests all around the world in luxury and style , including to the Galapagos and Antarctica .

Who needs the vaccine: All guests are welcome, however, unvaccinated guests may not be welcome on all sailings depending on local regulations.

What other safety measures are in place: Vaccinated guests do not need a pre-departure test unless local regulations such as cruises leaving from Australia, Bermuda, Canada, or Greece require it. Unvaccinated travelers will need a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of embarkation.

Find out more : Silversea

UnCruise Adventures

Where they sail: This small-ship company is known for its Alaska journeys as well as adventures in places like the Galapagos and island hopping in Hawaii.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests 12 and older must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before boarding. At least one booster is required to sail.

What other safety measures are in place: Guests are not required, but requested to test before departing from home (this policy is subject to change as COVID-19 trends change,) as the company states passengers should test to "be a good citizen". Each ship can perform rapid molecular tests on board. The cruise states they will not visit any destinations where vaccine rates are low.

Masks are required in public spaces, according to the company "bandana" and "buff" face masks will not be accepted.

Find out more : UnCruise Adventures

Victory Cruise Lines

Where they sail: Victory Cruise Lines is known for its Great Lakes cruises, providing all-inclusive sailings to see breathtaking sights from Niagara Falls to the iconic architecture of Chicago from Lake Michigan. Beyond the U.S., Victory Cruise Lines sails to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests and crew will be required to be vaccinated before boarding, and will be required to show physical proof prior to boarding.

What other safety measures are in place: Testing is no longer required on any river cruise.

Luggage is then disinfected before being brought onto the ship and staterooms cleaned with electrostatic fogging. Masks will be required during the embarkation process and while riding a shore excursion bus, but will not be required on board.

Find out more : Victory Cruise Lines

Viking Cruises

Where they sail: Viking sails ocean and river cruises all over the world, including throughout Europe. This summer, Viking will sail several voyages, including around England for UK residents, to Bermuda, and to Iceland in June.

Who needs the vaccine: All guests must be fully vaccinated to board a ship. Guests who are eligible must have a booster.

What other safety measures are in place: In addition to vaccines, all guests may be required to undergo a saliva PCR test at embarkation as well as "frequent" testing throughout the journey. All staterooms are equipped with independent air handling units.

Find out more : Viking Cruises

Virgin Voyages

Where they sail: The brand-new cruise line is launching mini sailings from England for UK residents, and has cruises throughout the Caribbean, and transatlantic options.

Who needs the vaccine: All are welcome regardless of vaccination status, unvaccinated passengers must have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of embarkation.

What other safety measures are in place: Virgin Voyages was the first cruise line to eliminate pre-departure testing for vaccinated guests. The cruise line will continue to work with an advisory board to help ensure health and safety on board at all times, including the use of air filtration systems and sanitization of high touch surface areas.

Find out more : Virgin Voyages

Windstar Cruises

Where they sail: Windstar operates small-ship cruises and several sailing vessels all around the globe, including to places like Central America .

Who needs the vaccine: All guests will be required to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before boarding one of Windstar's yachts. Boosters are highly encouraged and are recommended to be administered at least one week prior to travel.

What other safety measures are in place: Guests no longer need a pre-embarkation test unless a specific destination requires it.

Find out more : Windstar Cruises

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. 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. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

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Do You Need to Be Vaccinated to Cruise? It Depends on the Ship and Destination

While most cruise lines have scrapped covid vaccine and testing requirements, some companies and international cruise ports still have vaccination and testing rules in place..

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If you’re planning on sailing with Viking anytime soon, you’d better track down that COVID-19 vaccine certificate.

Courtesy of Viking

When cruising restarted in spring 2021, after a nearly 15-month pandemic-spurred shutdown imposed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cruisers faced a barrage of rules, including strict requirements for COVID-19 vaccinations and precruise COVID-19 testing. Later, the rules started to go by the wayside, and it was hard to keep track of who was requiring what. Not anymore.

Most cruise lines have now dropped or are soon dropping rules for both vaccinations and precruise testing, with at least one notable exception. Viking —on its river, ocean, and expedition ships—still requires everyone on board be fully vaccinated .

Another line that was still requiring COVID vaccinations, small-ship line Windstar Cruises, will be scrapping its vaccine mandate as of June 1, 2023. “We’ve invested in and improved our health and safety processes, including upgrading the HVAC systems on all of our ships, which has led to a cleaner and safer environment on board,” says Windstar president Christopher Prelog. “When combined with the widespread availability of vaccines and medical treatments, the risk factors are considerably lower now, giving us the confidence to lift the requirement.”

Are COVID vaccinations and testing still required for cruises?

Most cruise lines have dropped both their vaccine and testing requirements. Those that have lingered into 2023—mostly lines operating smaller ships—have been quietly scaling back their requirements.

The result: While there was a time after cruising restarted that you could be assured that your fellow passengers, at least those age 12 and up, were both fully vaccinated and tested for COVID-19 before getting on the ship, that is not the case anymore.

That said, specific countries have their own requirements, and several countries still require that cruise ship passengers are vaccinated and/or tested before arrival. If you are doing an itinerary outside of the Caribbean or Europe (where most vaccine and testing requirements have been dropped)—including to select countries in Central and South America or to Australia—you still have to read your cruise line’s precruise health and safety information carefully to make sure you comply with the latest requirements.

Contact your cruise line or check the U.S. State Department’s travel advisories for the latest.

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.

Before your trip, you will need to review your cruise line’s health and safety protocols. If a precruise test is required by a certain country, you will find that noted. In this case, you may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. (If testing is required, it can typically be either a PCR test or tele-health-monitored antigen test , paid for by the passenger. The cruise line may also require a test at the pier, paid for by the cruise line.)

If being fully vaccinated is required, that means having received the original series of vaccines at least 14 days prior to your cruise, or the original series plus a booster shot or shots.

As was the case even before the pandemic, you will be asked at embarkation to fill out a questionnaire inquiring about your current health status and whether you currently have any symptoms of illness.

You are free to pack and wear masks on your cruise. Most cruise lines suggest you do wear masks in crowded indoor situations—but it’s not enforced.

A quick cruise line guide to COVID requirements

Here’s a rundown of the basic rules for some leading cruise lines. Note: There may be additional requirements if you are traveling internationally. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding.

American Queen Voyages

On American Queen Voyages’ river, ocean, Great Lakes, and expedition ships, there are no longer any precruise testing or vaccinations required. Face coverings are optional, though masks may be required of any passengers showing symptoms.

Precruise testing is no longer required for vaccinated guests sailing with Azamara , except in ports where testing is required. No vaccination is necessary for cruises departing from or returning to the United States or Europe. In Australia, all guests 12 years and older must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before sailing with all required COVID-19 vaccine doses (including a booster shot). Children under 12 years old are not required to be vaccinated.

Celebrity Cruises

No vaccination or testing is required on the majority of Celebrity Cruises sailings. Destinations with stricter requirements include: the Galápagos, Australia and New Zealand, transatlantic crossings, and select Central and South America itineraries. Unvaccinated guests need to be tested in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia.

As of April 23, 2023, on the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria , and as of June 8, 2023, on the Queen Elizabeth , vaccinations and testing will no longer be required by Cunard (until then, testing and vaccination requirements apply).

Disney Cruise Line

For sailings embarking from the United States, which are the bulk of Disney Cruise Line’s sailings, no vaccination or testing is required. Disney recommends all guests be vaccinated before sailing and take a test for COVID-19 two days prior to their cruise. There are additional requirements on repositioning cruises and in Australia, so it is important to check the line’s website before your cruise.

Holland America Line

There are no precruise testing or vaccination requirements on most Holland America Line itineraries. There are requirements on select voyages (you can look up a specific voyage’s requirements on the line’s website).

Lindblad Expeditions

For voyages embarking on or after May 11, 2023, Lindblad Expeditions will no longer require guests to be fully vaccinated, although the line recommends guests be fully vaccinated (for cruises prior to that time, all passengers age five and up must be vaccinated). Lindblad recommends, but does not require, passengers take a predeparture COVID-19 test within five days of the start of their expedition.

Oceania Cruises

Vaccine requirements are purely dependent on the destinations being visited on each Oceania cruise. Passengers are advised to be up to date on the latest regulations for all destinations on their cruise itinerary.

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Effective April 2023, Paul Gauguin Cruises no longer requires that passengers are vaccinated or tested for COVID prior to embarkation, but it continues to encourage vaccination. “Paul Gauguin Cruises’ officers, staff and crew will remain fully vaccinated,” the line states. Travelers will need to present a health declaration form at embarkation.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Vaccines and precruise testing are generally not required to sail with Regent Seven Seas Cruises . There are some requirements in place based on local health regulations in a specific country a ship is visiting. Regent notifies guests approximately 30 days prior to sailing of any country-specific protocols.

Royal Caribbean

No vaccine or precruise testing is required on the majority of Royal Caribbean itineraries, with a few exceptions: Cruises from Australia, transpacific and transatlantic sailings, and cruises from Hawai‘i to Vancouver.

No vaccine or testing required except on certain Seabourn itineraries where a country may have specific requirements.

No vaccination is required for Silversea passengers except as designated by the destination. Precruise testing is not required except when specified by a destination.

Viking Cruises

All passengers and crew are required to be vaccinated on Viking’s river, ocean, and expedition ships—without exception. Viking strongly recommends passengers receive a booster dose before departing. Viking recommends but does not require a predeparture COVID-19 test (except if required by a destination).

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages has no precruise testing or vaccination requirements. Masks may be required at select times.

Windstar Cruises

Beginning June 1, 2023, Windstar will no longer require guests to be vaccinated. Crew will continue to be vaccinated. Masks are optional, with the line highly recommending guests wear masks in indoor public spaces. All guests fill out a health questionnaire on embarkation. A precruise COVID-19 test is not required unless you show symptoms.

This article was originally published in May 2022; it was most recently updated on April 19, 2023, with current information.

A Royal Caribbean-owned cruise line just announced a vaccine requirement. These are all the cruise lines that will require COVID-19 vaccinations for guests and crew.

• The return of cruising still remains in limbo for many cruise lines.
• Companies including Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have announced vaccine requirements.
• These are all the cruise lines that have COVID-19 vaccine requirements for guests or crew.

Several cruise lines have started announcing vaccination requirements for guests and crew members as the industry looks to restart after the the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, cruise ships that were mid-trip began facing COVID-19 related turmoils as the virus began trickling around the world, leaving passengers stuck, infected, or dead. Shortly after, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a no-sail order, which was later replaced by its "Framework for Conditional Sailing Order," a compilation of protocols needed for cruising to resume again by November 1.

This sailing order was again updated on April 2. These new guidelines didn't reflect the cruise industry's hope of a sailing return by July , but did recommend cruise lines to establish a timeline for crew and port workers to get the vaccine.

Despite this updated framework — and pent-up demand for  highly anticipated cruise ships and trips — the official return of cruising still remains in limbo. Presently, no major US cruises will be welcoming passengers until May, but companies are constantly extending this pause on sailing .

But as the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be distributed across the globe, this could soon change.

"If we start to see vaccines become more widely available, and if the vaccines are being administered in a far more efficient manner than they have been, I think it would be reasonable for the cruise lines to say a vaccine is required," Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and president of the Atmosphere Research Group, told Insider in an interview.

However, vaccine rollout and accessibility has been a notorious struggle around the world. As a result, Harteveldt notes that it may be "counterproductive" for major cruise lines like Carnival and Norwegian to require its guests to receive the vaccine if sailings actually resume in the next few months instead of later in the year, say July.

But over the last month, cruise lines have become increasingly vocal about the vaccine. While some companies — such as Carnival and its Holland America line — are "reviewing" the different vaccines , several others have already announced vaccination protocols for guests and crew members.

These are all the cruise lines with vaccine-related mandates so far:

Saga Cruises

On January 21, United Kingdom-based Saga Cruises announced that it would require all of its passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks before a trip. Saga primarily caters to passengers over 50-years-old.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean expects to require its crew members to receive the vaccine before sailings return, a spokesperson told Insider.

On March 1, the cruise line also announced its first "fully vaccinated" cruise aboard the Odyssey of the Seas, which will be sailing in May from Israel. Both crew members and guests over 16 years old will have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to sail on the upcoming cruise.

"Royal Caribbean's decision to come to Israel is a significant expression of  confidence in our policy ," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in the press release announcing the cruise . "Just as we made Israel the world champion in vaccines, we will make it the world champion in economics and tourism in the post-coronavirus era."

On March 19 , Royal Caribbean announced a similar series of seven-night sailings from July to August aboard its Adventure of the Seas ship. These summertime cruises will bring guests from Nassau, Bahamas to islands like the Grand Bahama, Cozumel, Mexico, and Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Like the Israel-based Odyssey of the Seas sailings, every adult passenger interested in this upcoming Adventure of the Seas collection will have to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Guests under 18-years-old will instead have to test negative for the virus.

"The vaccines are clearly a game-changer for all of us, and with the number of vaccinations and their impact growing rapidly, we believe starting with cruises for vaccinated adult guests and crew is the right choice," Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said in a press release . "As we move forward, we expect this requirement and other measures will inevitably evolve over time."

On March 23 , Royal Caribbean announced another set of seven-night summer cruises, this time from Bermuda aboard the Vision of the Seas ship. Like its previous announcements, these new cruises — which will sail from June 26 through August — will require crew members and adult guests to be vaccinated against COVID-19 "at this time." Passengers under 18 years old will instead have to test negative for the virus. 

Guests aboard this recently announced "fully vaccinated" summer cruise will get a full day at Perfect Day at CocoCay and an overnight stay in Bermuda.

One day later, the mega cruise line announced another set of fully vaccinated seven-night cruises, this time from Limassol, Cyprus. These cruises, which will sail from July 10 through October, will bring guests around Cyprus and Greece, including tourist hotspots like Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. The same crew, adults, and guests under 18 years old health protocols from the prior two Royal Caribbean announcements apply to this sailing as well. 

Crystal Cruises

On February 18, Crystal Cruises said it would require guests to receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before a cruise. The cruise line is also requiring a negative coronavirus test result from travelers and crew members, among other health protocols.

"We know that peace of mind is the greatest luxury, and the vaccine requirement is simply the best way to ensure the safest possible Crystal Experience for all on board," Jack Anderson, the cruise line's interim president and CEO, said in a press release .

Hornblower Group's "overnight" cruise lines

Hornblower Group's American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines have both announced requirements for guests and crew members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for sailings starting July 1.

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According to John Waggoner, CEO and founder of American Queen Steamboat Company, requiring the vaccine will ensure the " safest cruising experience possible ." However, the cruise lines is are still looking to resume sailing in April, prior to this vaccination deadline. 

Norwegian Cruise Line and its Oceania and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands

Norwegian Cruise Line and its Regent Seven Seas Cruises have announced COVID-19 vaccine requirements for crew members prior to boarding. However, the cruise lines are still "exploring all options" in regards to vaccination requirements for its guests, according to the cruise lines' statements previously sent to Insider.

Now, it seems like Norwegian has made up its mind regarding guest vaccination mandates. On April 5, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced that its three cruise brands — Norwegian, Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises — will be requiring both guests and crew members to be fully vaccinated.

"Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings shares the CDC's view that vaccinations are the primary vehicle for Americans to get back to their everyday lives," Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, said in a press release. "We believe that through a combination of 100% mandatory vaccinations for guests and crew and science-backed public health measures ... we can create a safe, 'bubble-like' environment for guests and crew."

Now, Norwegian is hoping the CDC will allow it to bypass the Conditional Sailing Order, therefore bringing the cruise line's sailings from US ports back by July 4. 

Virgin Voyages

Richard Branson's adults-only cruise line, Virgin Voyages, has announced it will be making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for both guests and crew in order to "provide the safest travel experience," Tom McAlpin, Virgin Voyages' CEO, said in an email statement sent to Insider.

"The is a step towards the safe return to sailing and is the right decision for Virgin Voyages," McAlpin said in the statement. "We're really encouraged by the latest rollout plans in the May time frame from the new administration, and we know the future is about vaccinations. Our business makes us uniquely set up to do this with testing and vaccine travel requirements."

P&O Cruises

On March 17, P&O Cruises — owned by Carnival Corp — announced a summertime Ultimate Escape cruise collection that will sail along the UK coast. However, the cruises will only be available to UK residents who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least seven days before the trip.

The decision to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for guests was based on the "advanced progress of the UK vaccination program and strong expressed preference on the part of our guests," P&O said in a press release.

Celebrity Cruises

On March 19, Royal Caribbean's Celebrity Cruises announced seven-night Caribbean sailings departing from June 5 to August aboard the Celebrity Millennium ship. 

Like its parent company's sailings , all crew members and adult guests interested in Celebrity's summer Caribbean cruises will have to be vaccinated against COVID-19. People under 18 years old will instead have to receive a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of the trip.

Windstar Cruises

On March 30, US-based Windstar Cruises announced a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for its guests and crew. 

Guests interested in sailing with the small cruise line — which oversees six ships — must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before sailing. Proof of the vaccination and a negative COVID-19 PCR test will then have to be presented in order to board the ship.

Windstar's crew will also have to be vaccinated "as soon as the vaccine is available to them," according to the cruise line .

Cunard will resume sailing with cruises around the UK aboard the Queen Elizabeth ship from July to October. However, don't consider booking a trip unless you're a UK resident that's been vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Guests interested in Cunard's summer cruises must be fully vaccinated at least seven days before sailing, and will be required to show proof. 

Seabourn 

On April 6, Seabourn — owned by Carnival Corporation — announced its new seven to 14-day Mediterranean sailings to and from Athens, Greece starting July 3. From there, passengers will get to see tourist hotspots like Mykonos and Agios Nikolaos, Greece and Limassol, Cyprus.

About two weeks later, it unveiled seven-day cruises beginning July from Barbados to the Caribbean, including destinations like Grenada and St. Maarten.

Like other cruise lines, Seabourn is requiring all guests and crew interested in this upcoming summer cruise series to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before cruising. 

Viking 

The same day Seabourn announced its new fully vaccinated sailings, Viking also unveiled three new eight-day summer cruises, all with a vaccine mandate. These new itineraries will each sail around three different locations starting June: Bermuda, the UK, and Iceland.

Despite the guest vaccine requirement, guests and crew will still have to take a PCR test as well.

"We believe there will be no safer way to travel the world than on a Viking voyage," Torstein Hagen, Viking's chairman, said in the press release ."

On April 8, Royal Caribbean-owned Silversea announced it would require guests and crew — with the exception of those sailing aboard its cruises from Australia — to be fully vaccinated. That same day, Silversea also unveiled its plans to resume sailing on June 18 with 10-day Mediterranean cruises from Greece aboard the Silver Moon ship.

"Vaccinations will play a critical role in ensuring the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit, which we prioritize above all else," Roberto Martinoli, president and CEO of Silversea Cruises, said in a press release .

Are you a cruise industry employee or have a cruise industry story to share? Contact this reporter at [email protected].

Watch: The coronavirus could affect the accuracy of the 2020 census — and that could decide who gets a vaccine

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Setting Sail This Summer? The Latest COVID Rules For Every Major Cruise Line

For many, testing and vaccination requirements have made cruising more confusing than ever, by sophia pargas • published june 14, 2022 • updated on august 8, 2022 at 12:39 pm.

While cruising used to be as simple as packing a swimsuit and setting sail, new COVID-19 protocols have complicated many travelers' perfect summer vacation.

In the wake of the pandemic, many cruise lines have developed their own individualized requirements for passengers to fulfill before stepping on board.

While the differing protocols can quickly become confusing for those looking to pick a sailing best fit for them, this breakdown allows travelers to get all the information they need without all the hassle.

(All information is based on sailings out of the United States.)

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Carnival Cruise Lines

Vaccination Requirements: In order to set sail on a Carnival cruise, travelers must complete a pre-boarding vaccine attestation confirming their status as fully vaccinated individuals. As current CDC guidelines define a "fully vaccinated" person as having two doses of an approved vaccine, passengers are not required to have a booster shot on most Carnival cruises. Some exceptions apply to international sailings.

Testing Requirements: With the exception of sailings to Bermuda and Canada, no fully vaccinated passengers will be required to test before sailing on cruises that are 5 days or less. On cruises 6 days or more, all guests are required to take an official COVID-19 test before boarding. They can take a PCR test 72 hours prior to sailing, or an antigen test two days prior to sailing. All unvaccinated guests ages 2 and older are required to receive a lab-administered PCR or antigen test up to 3 days before sailing.

Mask Mandates: While masks are highly encouraged in highly populated areas such as dining halls or casinos, they are not required at any point of the sailing.

Destination Requirements: Depending on port visits, rules and regulations for destinations will vary based on local protocols. Unvaccinated guests over 12, however, are prohibited from debarking unless booked with a Carnival tour. Children under 12 may debark with their vaccinated family members.

For more information, please see here .

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Carnival Cruise Ship Passengers Say COVID Overwhelmed Ship After Departing From Miami

Celebrity cruise line.

Vaccination Requirements: All guests 12 and older without medical exemption are required to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to sailing.

Mask Mandates: While masks are highly encouraged for unvaccinated guests, they are not required at any point of the sailing.

Destination Requirements: Depending on port visits, rules and regulations for destinations will vary based on local protocols. While all vaccinated guests are permitted to go ashore, all unvaccinated guests (regardless of age) are only allowed to disembark on a Celebrity purchased excursion.

Cunard Luxury Cruise Line

Vaccination Requirements: Guests over the age of 16 are required to be fully vaccinated and have their booster shot a minimum of one week before sailing. Children ages 5-15 are required to be fully vaccinated but do not need a booster shot. Children ages 5-11 are eligible to apply for a vaccination exemption.

Testing Requirements: All guests 5 and older are required to take an official negative COVID-19 test before embarking.

Mask Mandates: Masks are not required on board, but are required during embarkation, disembarkation, and at certain port centers.

Destination Requirements: While Cunard does not have any regulations on who may go ashore during the sailing, all passengers are still required to comply with any and all local protocols.

Disney Cruise Line

Vaccination Requirements: All guests 5 and over are required to be fully vaccinated unless deemed medically ineligible.

Testing Requirements: All vaccinated guests are required to show proof of a negative antigen, NAAT or PCR test within two days of sailing. Unvaccinated guests (those 4 and under) must provide proof of a negative NAAT or PCR test within three days of sailing. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.

Mask Mandates: While face coverings are only required for testing centers onboard, all unvaccinated children must wear their masks while in the shared youth centers across the ship.

Destination Requirements: While Disney does not have any regulations on who may go ashore during the sailing, all passengers are still required to comply with any and all local protocols.

Holland America Cruise Line

Vaccination Requirements: While all guests 12 and up are required to be fully vaccinated, children ages 5-11 may be unvaccinated with approval from the cruise line. Children 5 and under are not required to be vaccinated.

Testing Requirements: Regardless of vaccination status, all guests ages 2 and up are required to show proof of a negative antigen or NAAT COVID test.

Mask Mandates: While masks are highly encouraged for all guests, they are not required at any point of the sailing (with exceptions on Alaskan cruises during the winter season).

Destination Requirements: Holland America does not outline protocols for offshore experiences in their COVID-19 guidelines.

MSC Cruises

Vaccination Requirements: All guests 12 and older are required to be fully vaccinated before time of sailing.

Testing Requirements: Beginning August 29, no fully vaccinated passengers will be required to test before sailing. on cruises 5 days or less. On cruises 6 days or more, all guests are required to take an official COVID-19 test before boarding. All unvaccinated guests ages 2 and older are required to receive a lab-administered PCR or antigen test up to 3 days before sailing.

Mask Mandates: Masks are not presently required onboard MSC cruises.

Destination Requirements: While MSC does not have any regulations on who may go ashore during the sailing, all passengers are still required to comply with any and all local protocols.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Vaccination Requirements: While all guests 12 and up are required to be fully vaccinated, anyone 11 and under is allowed onboard without requesting an exemption.

Testing Requirements: Beginning September 4, no fully vaccinated passengers will be required to test before sailing. Beginning September 4, all children under 11 years old will not be required to test before sailing. Children 12 and older who are unvaccinated must receive a PCR or antigen test up to 72 hours before sailing.

Mask Mandates: While masks are highly encouraged for all guests unless eating or drinking, they are not required at any point of the sailing.

Destination Requirements: In order to go ashore, unvaccinated persons may be required to take a Norwegian excursion depending on the port and local regulations in place.

Princess Cruise Line

Testing Requirements: All guests 2 and older are required to submit a negative test regardless of vaccination status.

Mask Mandates: While masks are recommended for all guests, they are not required at any point of the sailing.

Destination Requirements: While Princess does not have any regulations on who may go ashore during the sailing at most ports, all passengers are still required to comply with any and all local protocols.

Royal Caribbean Cruises

Mask Mandates: While masks are optional for vaccinated guests, they are strongly recommended for unvaccinated children and their families.

Destination Requirements: While Royal Caribbean does not have any regulations on who may go ashore during the sailing at most ports, all passengers are still required to comply with any and all local protocols.

Viking Ocean Cruises

Vaccination Requirements: All guests are required to be vaccinated at least 14 days before departure. They are recommended, not required, to receive the booster dose if medically eligible.

Testing Requirements: Viking does not require a pre-departure COVID test unless it is required by a sailing's destination.

Mask Mandates: While the crew is required to wear their masks at all times, passengers do not need to wear their coverings while on board.

Destination Requirements: While Viking does not have any regulations on who may go ashore during the sailing at most ports, all passengers are still required to comply with any and all local protocols.

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Here Are the Updated COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Each Major Cruise Line

For many, testing and vaccination requirements have made cruising more confusing than ever, by sophia pargas • published august 8, 2022 • updated on august 15, 2022 at 10:06 am.

Ever since the start of the pandemic, new COVID-19 protocols have complicated many travelers' ideal summer getaway: cruising.

To many, the newfound hassle of determining cruise line regulations , gathering documents and finding a testing center has turned many away from sailing. In recent months, however, many cruise lines have altered requirements to become more lenient on pre-boarding testing regulations.

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.

(All information is based on sailings out of the United States.)

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Carnival Cruise Lines

Testing Requirements for Vaccinated Passengers:

• Vaccinated guests must continue to provide evidence of their vaccination status, either through VeriFLY or at embarkation.
• Canada: a PCR test can be taken 3 days before sailing or an antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing
• Bermuda: a PCR test can be taken 4 days before sailing or an antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing
• Greece: a PCR or antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing
• Australia: a PCR test 3 days before sailing or a self-administered antigen test 1 day before sailing

Testing Requirements for Unvaccinated Passengers:

• Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail and are no longer required to apply for a vaccine exemption, except for cruises in Australia or on voyages 16 nights and longer. 
• Bermuda: a PCR test can be taken 4 days before sailing (antigen tests are not accepted)

For more information, please see here .

Celebrity Cruise Line

• Cruises 5 days or less: With the exception of sailings to Bermuda and Canada, no fully vaccinated passengers will be required to test before sailing.
• Cruises 6 days or more: All guests are required to take an official COVID-19 test before boarding. They can take a PCR test 72 hours prior to sailing, or an antigen test two days prior to sailing.

All unvaccinated guests ages 2 and older are required to receive a lab-administered PCR or antigen test up to 3 days before sailing.

Cunard Luxury Cruise Line

Testing Requirements:

All guests 5 and older are required to take an official negative COVID-19 test before embarking.

Disney Cruise Line

All vaccinated guests are required to show proof of a negative antigen, NAAT or PCR test within two days of sailing.

Unvaccinated guests (those 4 and under) must provide proof of a negative NAAT or PCR test within three days of sailing. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.

Holland America Cruise Line

Regardless of vaccination status, all guests ages 2 and up are required to show proof of a negative antigen or NAAT COVID test.

MSC Cruises

• Cruises 5 days or less: Beginning August 29, no fully vaccinated passengers will be required to test before sailing.
• Cruises 6 days or more: All guests are required to take an official COVID-19 test before boarding.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Beginning September 4, no fully vaccinated passengers will be required to test before sailing.

Beginning September 4, all children under 11 years old will not be required to test before sailing. Children 12 and older who are unvaccinated must receive a PCR or antigen test up to 72 hours before sailing.

Princess Cruise Line

Testing Requirements: All guests 2 and older are required to submit a negative test regardless of vaccination status.

Royal Caribbean Cruises

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking does not require a pre-departure COVID-19 test unless it is required by a sailing's destination.

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HEALTHY AT SEA

Creating the best cruise experience possible means prioritizing the well-being of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit. With the guidance of health officials around the globe and the counsel of our dedicated shoreside and shipboard medical teams, we continually update our health and safety protocols to align with global best practices.

If you’re currently booked on a cruise vacation with us and have provided an email address, you will be advised of the latest health and safety guidance leading up to departure. Be sure to update your guest account so that we may reach you.

While On Board

Our enhanced cleaning methods, sanitization protocols, and onboard medical center set a new industry standard for cruising healthy and safety. If you’d like to request additional personal protective equipment onboard while onboard, it’s available to you at guest services.

100% Fresh, Filtered Air

HVAC system continuously supplies and filters 100% fresh, filtered air to all spaces. You can breathe easy knowing the robust system’s layers of protection make the transmission of aerosol particles between spaces extremely low to virtually impossible.

24/7 Medical Care

Our high-quality onboard medical care offers state-of-the-art equipment and more doctors and nurses on each ship than ever before. In the event of a possible public health event onboard, we're fully prepared with medical evaluations, rapid testing, and critical care on each ship.

While Ashore

To minimize potential health risks to our guests, our crew members, and the communities we visit, we meet with local officials, health authorities, and tour operators in each destination continually.

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Have Fun. Be Safe.

Cruising with Carnival is easy! Vaccines and testing are not required for most U.S. and European departures.*

Guests sailing to and from Australia must visit the Australia Have Fun. Be Safe. page for protocols specific to those cruises.

VACCINATION & TESTING

Although vaccines are not required, we encourage all guests, 5 years of age and older, to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, when eligible, and carry proof of vaccination. Testing is not required for either vaccinated or unvaccinated guests. However, we encourage all guests, 5 years and older, to take a pre-cruise COVID-19 test within three days of their cruise.

*Carnival Luminosa - 9/14/2023: This Carnival Journeys Transpacific voyage will be calling on certain destinations (including Australia) which are still observing COVID-19 protocols. Below are more details regarding vaccination and testing requirements for this voyage:

• Guests, aged 12 years and older, must be fully vaccinated to sail. Additionally, we strongly recommend that guests get a booster, if eligible.
• All guests, aged two years and above, regardless of vaccination status, are required to take a self-administered Rapid-Antigen Test (RAT) within 24 hours of boarding or a PCR test within 48 hours prior to boarding. Evidence of a negative result is required to cruise.
• Vaccine exemptions are required for guests, aged 12 years and older, with medical conditions preventing vaccination. If you, or a member of your party, meet the criteria for a vaccine exemption, you may apply here .
• Full details regarding vaccination and testing requirements and FAQs are available on the Australia Have Fun. Be Safe. page .

DESTINATION REQUIREMENTS

We will continue to monitor the protocols and requirements of the destinations we visit and will update our guests directly and this page of any changes.

Have questions? Check out our Have Fun. Be Safe. FAQs for all sailings, except Carnival Luminosa’s 09/14/2023 voyage.

When are cruise lines still requiring COVID testing? Here's what passengers should know.

After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ended its COVID-19 cruise ship program last month, many cruise lines changed their health and safety protocols and dropped some testing requirements .

Major brands like Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line rolled back their COVID-19 rules and removed testing for vaccinated passengers on some voyages, while other lines scrapped them for all sailings.

Tests are still required in a number of cases, though. Policies may vary depending on local requirements at various destinations. Here's what passengers need to know about cruise protocols, from testing to face masks and social distancing.

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When do cruise lines still require COVID-19 testing?

► Carnival Cruise Line will require vaccinated passengers to test only on trips 16 or more nights or where required by local rules, including on voyages to Canada and Bermuda, beginning Sept. 6, according to a press release.

Unvaccinated travelers or those who do not show proof of vaccination will be required to "present the results of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within three days of embarkation." In the U.S., guests under 5 are exempt from vaccine and testing rules.

►Royal Caribbean will require vaccinated guests 5 and older to test on U.S. cruises 10 nights or longer beginning Sept. 5, according to its  website . They must test within three days of boarding. Unvaccinated guests age 5 and up need to take a test within three days of sailing on all trips. The changes are subject to local regulations.

►Celebrity Cruises will require vaccinated passengers to test only on voyages that are 10 or more nights where local rules permit starting Sept 5., according to its  website . They must do so within three days of sailing. Unvaccinated guests 5 and up must take a test within three days prior to their trip for U.S. sailings.

►Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. will drop all pre-cruise requirements for vaccinated passengers age 12 and over as of Sept. 3, according to a news release .

Guests age 12 and older who are unvaccinated or do not show proof of vaccination will still need to test within 72 hours before boarding. The company said it "continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel." Changes are also subject to local requirements.

► MSC Cruises will no longer require fully vaccinated U.S. residents to take a test before boarding on sailings from U.S. ports to the Bahamas and the Caribbean as of Sept. 1. Unvaccinated passengers age 2 and older still need to show proof of a proof of a "lab-administered negative COVID-19 viral test negative test" taken within three days of their cruise, according to its website .

Passengers 2 and older who are not U.S. residents must "show proof of a negative antigen or RT-PCR lab administered test" taken within three days of their sailing, regardless of vaccination status, according to its  website . The line's policies vary by destination.  

►Princess Cruises will require travelers on voyages 16 nights or longer to "take a supervised test within three days of embarkation (guests 5 and older)," as of Sept. 6, according to a news release. That rule also applies to guests on full Panama Canal transits and certain other voyages.

Passengers who are unvaccinated need to show a negative result from a self-test taken within three days of embarkation on sailings 15 nights or less. Unvaccinated children under 5 are exempt. The changes are subject to local regulations.

►Holland America Line will not require testing for vaccinated guests on sailings 15 nights or shorter starting Sept. 6, according to a news release. Unvaccinated passengers age 5 and up must show a negative result from a medically supervised test or self-test taken within three days of embarkation.

Those changes are subject to local restrictions, and exclude full Panama Canal transits and certain other sailings.

All guests 5 and up must provide "a medically supervised COVID-19 test with written negative result" on cruises 16 nights or more. Travelers need to test within three days of embarkation, and unvaccinated travelers must still request an exemption.

►Disney Cruise Line will no longer require fully vaccinated guests traveling on the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wonder and Disney Wish to take a test before their cruise beginning Sept. 23, according to its website . For sailings on the Disney Magic, the change will take effect Nov. 7.

Travelers who are not fully vaccinated must continue to show proof of a negative test test taken one to three days before their trip, though they will no longer need to take an additional test at the terminal on embarkation day.

What kind of COVID-19 tests do cruise lines require?

Cruise lines still set criteria for the tests they accept. Carnival said it will accept self-administered tests as well as lab-administered tests from unvaccinated guests on voyages that are 15 nights or less beginning Sept. 6, according to a news release.

Royal Caribbean will also allow passengers on U.S. cruises to take a home test or one "professionally administered by a health professional" starting Sept. 5 according to its  website . Celebrity will accept self-tests beginning on the same date, as well. 

Those changes are subject to local requirements.

Norwegian Cruise Line, meanwhile, will require "proof of a medically supervised negative PCR or Antigen test" for unvaccinated passengers 12 and up, according to its website . Travelers should check with their cruise line for their specific rules.

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What kind of on-board testing requirements do cruise lines have?

Cruise lines still have on-board protocols in place, as well. For its part, Carnival requires passengers who are exposed to or in close contact with anyone who tests positive for COVID or displays symptoms to be tested, along with their close contacts, according to its website . Those passengers may have to quarantine in their rooms until medical staff clears them.

Other cruise lines have similar protocols in place, like Norwegian, which advises passengers who have COVID symptoms while sailing to contact the ship's medical center, which is equipped to test on board, per its website . Royal Caribbean Group's namesake brand, Royal Caribbean International, also offers testing to travelers who feel sick, and its medical lab "allows for rapid, accurate onsite PCR testing with results in under an hour, alongside a multitude of other evaluative tests," its website reads.

What other protocols do cruise lines have in place?

► Masks: Carnival highly recommends guests wear masks in public indoor areas except when eating or drinking, and "when in large congregate events outdoors where physical distancing cannot be maintained," per its website . The cruise line also recommends masking during embarkation and debarkation and requires masks in the medical center. Crew members also wear masks   indoors at all times.

On Royal Caribbean International, masks are optional for passengers who are vaccinated. They are recommended for unvaccinated kids. MSC has a similar policy . On Princess sailings, masks are recommended but not mandatory in most areas of the ship, though the cruise line notes on its website that "you may need to wear them in select venues or certain situations." Masks are optional on all Norwegian voyages.

►Cleaning: Many cruise lines continue to emphasize heightened cleaning on board. Norwegian, for example, has "enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols" in place with EPA-approved disinfectants, and is making use of medical-grade air filters, according to its website . Royal Caribbean similarly boosted its cleaning regimen, including cleaning frequently used places like elevators and stairways every two hours. Crew must also take continual training classes and "refreshers," per its website .

MSC is also utilizing "hospital-grade disinfectants, electrostatic sprayers, increased cleaning frequency and a focus on high-traffic, frequently-touched areas," according to its website .

►Physical distancing: Cruise lines may recommend social distancing during parts of trips. Royal Caribbean International  recommends distancing  in select parts of the ship indicated by signage.

Cruise lines may also change their policies as needed.

"Our member lines continuously monitor health conditions onboard and employ health and safety protocols commensurate with those conditions," Anne Madison, a spokesperson for Cruise Lines International Association, told USA TODAY in an email. "This may result in cruise lines adjusting protocols when appropriate in consultation with medical and other health experts in order to continue to make science-driven and medically informed decisions."

Passengers can find more information on ship protocols on their cruise line's website.

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Cruise Ship Travel

CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance has been updated. The content of this page will be updated soon.

While cruising is a popular way to travel, there are some health concerns to be aware of. Find out more about health issues on cruises and steps you can take to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

If you are feeling sick before your voyage, do not travel and ask your cruise line about rescheduling or reimbursement options. If you feel sick during your voyage, report your symptoms to the ship’s medical center and follow their recommendations.

Common Health Concerns During Cruise Travel and what You Can Do to Prevent Illness

• Respiratory illnesses like influenza , COVID-19 , and the common cold. Get your annual flu shot and get up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines . Check directly with your cruise line about their COVID-19 testing or vaccination protocols before travel. If you have a weakened immune system , talk with your healthcare provider about your cruise travel plans. Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer . When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue to prevent spreading germs. Consider wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor areas.
• Norovirus. Symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, primarily caused by outbreaks of norovirus, have been reported. To prevent norovirus , wash your hands with soap and water before eating and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or touching things that other people have touched, such as stair railings. Avoid touching your face. For more information, visit CDC’s  Vessel Sanitation Program  website.
• Seasickness. Cruise ship passengers may experience seasickness or motion sickness. If you know you get seasick or think you may be likely to get seasick, talk to your healthcare provider about medicine to reduce your symptoms. Some common medications, including some antidepressants, painkillers, and birth control pills, can make seasickness worse.
• Sunburns. Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher when traveling. Protecting yourself from the sun isn’t just for tropical beaches—you can get a sunburn even if it’s cloudy or cold.
• Bug bites. On your trip, use insect repellent and take other steps to avoid bug bites. Bugs, including mosquitoes and ticks, can spread diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and Lyme. Many ships visit ports where these diseases are a concern.

Before Your Trip

Check CDC’s destination pages for travel health information . Check CDC’s webpage for your destination to see what vaccines or medicines you may need and what diseases or health risks are a concern at your destination.

Make sure you are up to date with all of your routine vaccines . Routine vaccinations protect you from infectious diseases  that can spread quickly in groups of people. Outbreaks of chickenpox, influenza, and COVID-19 have been reported on cruise ships.

Many diseases prevented by routine vaccination are not common in the United States but are still common in other countries. Crew members and fellow travelers often board a cruise ship from destinations where some diseases are more common than in the United States or where vaccination is not routine.

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider or a travel health specialist  that takes place at least one month before you leave. They can help you get destination-specific vaccines, medicines, and information. Discussing your health concerns, itinerary, and planned activities with your provider allows them to give more specific advice and recommendations.

Plan for the Unexpected

Prepare for any unexpected issues during your cruise ship travels with the following steps:

Prepare a  travel health kit  with items you may need, especially those items that may be difficult to find at your destination. Include your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines in your travel health kit and take enough to last your entire trip, plus extra in case of travel delays. Depending on your destination you may also want to pack a mask ,  insect repellent , sunscreen (SPF15 or higher), aloe, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, water disinfection tablets, and your health insurance card.

Get travel insurance.  Find out if your health insurance covers medical care abroad. Travelers are usually responsible for paying hospital and other medical expenses out of pocket at most destinations. Make sure you have a plan to  get care overseas , in case you need it. Consider buying  additional insurance  that covers health care and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas.

If you need medical care abroad, see Getting Health Care During Travel .

After Travel

If you traveled and feel sick, particularly if you have a fever, talk to a healthcare provider and tell them about your travel. Avoid contact with other people while you are sick.

More Information

• Cruise Ship Travel in CDC Yellow Book
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Norwegian Cruise Line to Eliminate Covid-19 Testing, Masking and Vaccination Requirements Beginning Oct. 4, 2022

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced that it has updated its global health and safety protocols by removing all COVID-19 testing, masking and vaccination requirements effective Oct. 4, 2022.

Given the significant, positive progress in the public health environment, the Cruise Line updated its health and safety guidelines, which are now more aligned with other global travel organizations. 

"Health and safety are always our first priority; in fact, we were the health and safety leaders from the very start of the pandemic," said Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer. "Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return."

Health and safety are always our first priority; in fact, we were the health and safety leaders from the very start of the pandemic. Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return.

With the easing of the Cruise Line's health and safety protocols, NCL will continue to follow the travel guidelines as required by the destinations it visits. For all country specific travel requirements, travelers should visit www.ncl.com/travel-requirements-by-country . Guests can also visit www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/cruise-travel-documents for more information about the required travel documentation they will need for their NCL voyage.

For more information about the Company's award-winning 18-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please call +1-888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), contact a travel professional or visit www.ncl.com .  

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Confused about changing COVID-19 rules for cruise ships? Here's everything you need to know

Do you still need a COVID-19 vaccine to board a cruise ship? A negative COVID-19 test? A mask?

Not too many months ago, the answer was "all of the above" for most cruise vessels. But today it's not so straightforward. Some cruise lines have been loosening their COVID-19 rules. Others have been mostly holding fast to policies.

The divergence has come as more countries around the world, including the United States, peel back their COVID-19 rules for cruise ships, leaving it up to individual lines to decide just how strict — or not — they want to be.

The result is that preparing for a cruise has become more confusing than ever.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Don't panic. We're here to help. In the segments below, we look at the COVID-19 policy landscape as it stands right now across the world's biggest cruise lines and try to make sense of it all.

It's a landscape that is likely to continue to change markedly in the coming months. In just the last few weeks, several lines have done away with pre-cruise COVID-19 testing requirements, and the buzz in the cruise world is that more lines soon will follow suit.

Already, mask-wearing rules on ships have mostly disappeared, though not everywhere.

Do I still need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise?

For the most part, yes. With just a few exceptions, cruise lines still require most, if not all, passengers to present proof of a COVID-19 vaccine to board a ship.

Some lines make exceptions for young children and people who can't be vaccinated due to medical conditions or religious beliefs. The world's largest cruise line, Royal Caribbean , for instance, exempts children under the age of 12 from its vaccine requirement on most sailings. So does Carnival Cruise Line , the world's second-largest cruise brand.

This has been the broad policy at nearly all cruise lines since cruises allowing Americans restarted in 2021. In recent weeks, a few cruise lines have relaxed their vaccine rules slightly but not to a great extent.

Adults-only line Virgin Voyages, for instance, on Thursday said it would allow up to 10% of passengers on any given sailing to be unvaccinated for COVID-19. Under its previous policy, all passengers had to be vaccinated. Would-be cruisers who are unvaccinated must contact the line before booking a cruise to ensure one of the limited slots for unvaccinated travelers is available.

Related: Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? A line-by-line guide

Are children required to have a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise?

In many cases, yes. But as noted above, some lines make exceptions to vaccination rules for young children.

Many major cruise lines require anyone who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to be fully inoculated before being allowed to sail.

For cruisers from the U.S., that means anyone 5 years or older must have proof that they've had their shots. Anyone 4 years old or younger is exempt from the vaccination rule. Some lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival and MSC Cruises set the cut-off for mandatory vaccines higher at the age of 12.

Passengers under these age cutoffs who aren't vaccinated typically have to present negative COVID-19 test results and submit to mandatory testing at the port on embarkation day to board. In general, the testing requirements for the unvaccinated on ships are more rigorous than the testing requirements for the vaccinated.

Note that some lines require that all passengers boarding ships be vaccinated for COVID-19, no matter their age. This means that young children who are not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine by definition cannot sail.

Lines with such a rule include Oceania Cruises , Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours, Silversea Cruises and Windstar Cruises .

Related: Do children need to be vaccinated to cruise? Here's the policies at the biggest lines

Do I need to test negative for COVID-19 before boarding a cruise ship?

It depends. For much of the past year, every major cruise line required passengers to test negative for COVID-19 before boarding a ship. However, a handful of lines in recent weeks, including Virgin Voyages and Norwegian Cruise Line, have dropped pre-cruise testing requirements for at least some sailings, and more lines are expected to follow suit in the coming months.

Virgin Voyages is among the lines that have loosened testing rules the most. On Thursday, it said it would no longer require pre-cruise tests on any sailing in the two markets where it operates: Europe and North America (the new policy takes effect July 24 for sailings in Europe and July 27 for sailings in North America).

Small-ship specialist Azamara, which currently has all its ships in Europe, also dropped testing requirements for all sailings in recent days.

Other lines are taking a more scattershot approach to dropping testing requirements, mostly due to lingering testing rules in some of the countries where they operate.

Norwegian, for instance, recently said it would drop pre-cruise test requirements for most sailings in Europe but not other regions on Aug. 1. An exception will be sailings from Greece, where testing is required by the local government and will continue. Holland America recently waived pre-cruise testing requirements for just one vessel, Rotterdam, on select itineraries out of Amsterdam.

Just remember, no matter what your cruise line's policy is on pre-cruise testing, some countries around the world such as Japan still require a negative COVID-19 test for entry. If you're planning a cruise out of one of these countries and are not already within the country, you'll still need to test negative in advance of the trip even if your cruise line doesn't require a negative test result.

Related: Do I need to take a COVID-19 test before cruising?

Could I still be quarantined on a cruise ship if I test positive for COVID-19 while on board?

Yes. Cruise lines are still quarantining passengers who test positive for COVID-19 while on a ship. Passengers who display COVID-19 symptoms even without testing positive are also being quarantined on some ships. Passengers who are deemed to be "close contacts" of such passengers may also find themselves isolated for a time while they undergo COVID-19 testing.

Some cruise lines still warn passengers in their travel documentation that they could be quarantined on land for a time if they test positive for COVID-19 just before embarkation after flying to a ship. Additionally, passengers may be forced to quarantine on land for a time after disembarking a ship if they test positive while on board.

Related: I got quarantined after testing positive for COVID-19 on a ship; here's what it was like

Is the CDC still setting the rules for cruise ship COVID-19 policies?

No. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued rules that cruise lines had to follow in order to resume cruising in U.S. waters that touched on everything from mask-wearing policies on ships to pre-cruise testing. However, the rules have morphed into non-binding guidelines in several steps over the past year.

The CDC's initial Conditional Sail Order imposing COVID-19-related rules on cruise lines expired in February and was replaced by a set of recommended policies that cruise lines could opt-in or opt-out of following. On July 18, this subsequent optional program was replaced by an even less formal set of recommendations that the agency said cruise lines "should carefully consider."

The bottom line is cruise lines have been free to choose whether they follow CDC recommendations for COVID-19 protocols on ships for many months.

Is the CDC still listing the COVID-19 outbreak status of ships?

No. As of July 18, the CDC stopped posting information on the extent of COVID-19 cases on cruise ships on its website.

Previously the line listed a color status for every cruise ship sailing in U.S. waters — red, yellow or green — on its Program for Cruise Ships website. This color status indicated how widespread COVID-19 was on board. As COVID-19 screening policies have begun to vary more widely from line to line in recent months, making apples-to-apples comparisons between ships has become more difficult, the CDC suggested.

"The previous color-coding system under CDC's COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships depended upon each cruise line having the same COVID-19 screening testing standards, which may now vary among cruise lines," the CDC said Monday in announcing the end to the color-coded status postings. "Therefore, the cruise ship color status webpage has been retired."

Cruise lines are still required to report COVID-19 cases on ships to the CDC. The data just aren't being reported to the public.

Do I need to wear a mask on a cruise ship?

In most cases, no. Mask-wearing requirements were common on cruise ships through much of 2021 and into early 2022 as COVID-19 spread across the globe in several major waves. But most major cruise lines dropped mask mandates earlier this year as COVID-19 cases worldwide dropped significantly.

Where you'll still find mask-wearing rules on ships is a bit hit-or-miss. It often has to do with local laws that require mask-wearing or with cruise line concerns about short-term spikes in COVID-19 cases in specific areas.

In recent months, itineraries where mask-wearing rules on ships have been more common include voyages in the Mediterranean that include stops in Italy (where ports specifically require passengers to wear KN95/FFP2 type masks) and some sailings to Alaska . Mask-wearing inside ships is also required by local regulation on all sailings out of Singapore.

Note that some ports around the world still require mask-wearing in terminals. You might find that you don't need to wear a mask while aboard a cruise ship but must wear one while boarding and disembarking the ship in ports.

Do I need a negative COVID-19 test to get home from a cruise?

The answer to this question depends in part on where your home is. For U.S.-based cruisers returning to the U.S. by plane from a cruise overseas, there is no longer a COVID-19 testing requirement , as of June 12. You also don't need to test negative for COVID-19 to return home to a U.S. address after disembarking a cruise at a U.S. port.

Do I need to worry whether ports on my itinerary have extra COVID-19 requirements?

For the most part, no. Many cruise lines warn in their travel documentation that "guests are ...responsible for complying with all local health and safety requirements which may include additional pre-embarkation testing at the terminal," as Norwegian puts it in its documentation.

However, lines will typically tell you in advance if there are specific COVID-19 requirements in ports that could affect your trip.

Generally, if a port on your itinerary requires passengers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine or a negative COVID-19 test, the line will make that a condition of your sailing. In cases where a negative COVID-19 test is required to enter a certain port or port country, lines will likely test you on board before arriving at that port, often for free.

Note that lines do make clear that it's your responsibility to figure out what COVID-19 vaccine or testing documentation you need to pass through countries by air or land on the way to your cruise.

As Norwegian puts it, the line "recommends for all guests to follow, and where possible, sign up for notifications from their local government on international travel regulations that may prevent, restrict, or require additional documentation when traveling to another country for embarkation or during their cruise."

What onboard COVID safety measures are cruise ships still taking?

As noted above, most cruise lines still require all or most passengers to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Most cruise lines also require all crew on ships to be vaccinated for COVID-19, and on most ships crew also continue to wear masks at all times.

In addition, as noted above, most lines still require passengers to test negative for COVID-19 before boarding ships and crew are regularly tested for COVID-19, too. Passengers and crew who test positive for COVID-19 while on board a vessel are isolated.

In the past two years, cruise lines have made significant investments in sophisticated air filtration systems for cabins and other onboard areas of ships and have increased cleaning and sanitizing efforts on ships. Medical centers on ships have also been upgraded and often are staffed at a higher level than in pre-COVID-19 times.

What can I do to minimize my exposure to COVID-19 on ships?

Although many cruise lines no longer require mask-wearing on ships, they still recommend that you wear one, based on guidance from various health authorities and experts.

Keeping socially distant from other passengers is another strategy for staying healthy on ships as is regular hand-washing and hand sanitizing.

Major cruise lines typically place free hand sanitizer at the entrance to most public rooms on ships. Restaurants on newer cruise ships often have hand-washing stations at their entrances. On some ships, cruise ship staff are assigned to stand at the entrances to onboard restaurants and require passengers to wash or sanitize their hands.

Where can I find my specific cruise line's COVID-19 policy?

Every major cruise line lists its COVID-19 policies including vaccination and testing requirements on its website, often in great detail. Cruise lines regularly update these web pages, and they are the best place to find the very latest information.

Here are the key COVID-19 information pages on the websites of the eight major lines that account for the majority of cruising in North America:

• Carnival Cruise Line's Have Fun. Be Safe. policies page .
• Celebrity Cruises' Healthy at Sea page .
• Disney Cruise Line's Know Before You Go page .
• Holland America's Travel Well FAQ page .
• MSC Cruises' What to Know Before You Go page .
• Norwegian Cruise Line's Sail Safe page .
• Princess Cruises' Cruise Health requirements page
• Royal Caribbean's Healthy Sail Center .

How will I find out if policies change after I book?

As noted above, cruise lines list their COVID-19 policies on their websites. To be safe, check these websites often in the months leading up to your cruise. Cruise lines also notify customers by email when there are significant changes to their COVID-19 policies, as well as alert travel agents who book cruises.

Can I cancel for free if I get covid-19 in advance of a sailing?

In many cases, yes. Major lines will usually offer you a refund, sometimes in the form of a future cruise credit , if you have to cancel a cruise because of a positive COVID-19 test in your traveling party in the days leading up to a sailing.

Royal Caribbean, for instance, promises a 100% refund if anyone in your travel party tests positive for COVID-19 within 10 days of your cruise. Carnival has a policy with similar wording.

Cruise lines will also offer a refund, typically in the form of a future cruise credit, if you are denied embarkation or reboarding, or quarantined or disembarked during a voyage, due to a positive COVID-19 test or being suspected of having COVID-19. If you are quarantined for just part of a cruise due to a positive COVID-19 test, you'll likely receive a pro-rated refund for the days of the cruise you missed.

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• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
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• What to pack for your first cruise

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Home Covid-19 Protocols

Covid-19 Protocols

At The Cruise Line, we understand that you want your cruise holiday to be as stress-free as possible. So, to help you get ready for your next voyage, we have compiled links to the latest COVID-19 protocols and requirements which you can use to ensure you are well prepared before travelling.

Cruise Line Protocols & Requirements

Before your voyage, we advise you to check your cruise line’s specific COVID-19 hygiene protocols and vaccine requirements. You can find this information by clicking the relevant link below.

Ocean cruise lines:

• Azamara Cruises
• Celebrity Cruises
• Crystal Cruises
• Cunard Line
• Emerald Yacht Cruises
• Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
• Holland America Line
• Hurtigruten 
• MSC Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• P&O Cruises
• Ponant Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Oceania Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas
• Saga Cruises
• Scenic Ocean Cruises
• Seabourn Cruises
• SeaDream Yacht Club
• Silversea Cruises
• Star Clippers
• Windstar Cruises
• Viking Cruises

River cruise lines:

• AmaWaterways
• Emerald Waterways
• Scenic River Cruises
• Viking River Cruises

Leaving and entering the UK

In most cases, your cruise line will offer specific advice on the countries you are visiting during your cruise. However, we strongly advise that you familiarise yourself with the latest guidelines before travelling abroad. You can do this by visiting the following page:

• Gov.UK – Travelling abroad guidance

You will also need to check the latest guidelines for returning to the UK. Please use the following link for the most up-to-date information. This link also provides you with details of how to book and pay for a COVID-19 test. You will also find details regarding the Passenger Locator Form that you need to fill in before returning home.

• Gov.UK – Returning to the UK guidance

Please note: You must check your travel insurance policy has adequate cover relating to COVID-19.

If you would like to discuss your upcoming cruise or have a question relating to the current guidelines, please get in touch with our Voyage Consultants on 0800 008 6677 .

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Do I need a COVID vaccine to cruise? A line-by-line guide

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Editor’s 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 only a few exceptions allowed for young children and people who can’t be vaccinated due to medical conditions or religious beliefs.

Since then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has withdrawn its opt-in guidance for cruise lines, and most are now allowing unvaccinated passengers to sail. In fact, most aren’t even checking to see if cruisers are vaccinated or not.

However, with cases picking up seasonally and new booster vaccines rolling out, will you need a vaccine to cruise? Click on your favorite cruise line above, under “Jump to Section,” to find out.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s new cruise newsletter .

Note: In order to be considered “fully vaccinated,” passengers must have received their final shot (not including boosters) at least 15 days prior to embarkation. Most lines only accept vaccines (or a combination of vaccines) recognized and approved by the World Health Organization and the CDC. Generally, proof of inoculation must include your name, the type of vaccine you received and the dates on which you received all required doses.

Booster shots are not required unless specifically noted. However, keep in mind that the rules may vary by country, with some lines requiring boosters for international departures due to local regulations or for extra-long sailings like ocean crossings when port calls are few or nonexistent. Passengers who have their boosters are considered “up to date” rather than merely “fully vaccinated.”

For general information on testing, please refer to our article on cruise testing requirements .

AmaWaterways

Vaccine required no.

AmaWaterways no longer requires proof of vaccination for passengers. However, cruisers are responsible for meeting the requirements of the countries in which they’ll be traveling. If they do not, standard cancellation fees will apply. Pre-cruise testing is not required. Should passengers become ill during their cruise, AmaWaterways will assist in procuring testing and other medical services, which will be the financial responsibility of those guests.

American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines does not have a vaccine requirement for all passengers on any of its sailings. Pre-cruise testing is no longer required.

American Queen Voyages

Vaccines are not required to sail with American Queen Voyages , and pre-cruise testing is no longer required.

Related: What happens if someone tests positive for COVID-19 on your cruise

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Vaccination is not mandatory for Atlas cruises, but passengers must comply with regulations in countries on their scheduled itinerary, which could require that they be up to date on their shots. Additionally, pre-cruise testing is no longer a requirement.

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways no longer requires proof of vaccination or a negative test prior to passenger boarding. However, mandatory testing and proof of vaccination could still be required in some countries the line visits.

Azamara recommends that passengers follow local regulations and the latest guidance from government health organizations when determining which vaccines to obtain prior to travel. The line also does not require negative test results in order to board unless mandated by local governments in the ports where the line’s ships sail.

Carnival Cruise Line

Neither vaccines nor pre-cruise testing is required for Carnival sailings. However, the line recommends that anyone 5 years or older be up to date on their shots and carry proof. It also suggests that cruisers test themselves no further than three days from their sailing date to make sure they’re in good health.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity does not mandate vaccination or testing for any passenger on any sailing unless required by regulations in the ports its ships are visiting.

Related: Cruise ship contact tracing: How the world’s major lines are tracking COVID-19 exposure

Celestyal Cruises

Celestyal continues to require all crew members to be fully vaccinated, but passengers don’t have to be. The line recommends anyone 12 and older be up to date on their inoculations. Testing is also no longer necessary in order to board Celestyal ships.

Cunard Line

Although Cunard suggests that travelers be fully vaccinated and current with their boosters, proof of immunization is not required, nor is pre-cruise testing for any of the line’s sailing unless required by law.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line encourages — but does not require — all passengers to be fully vaccinated before sailing. It also recommends pre-cruise testing, no more than two days prior to embarkation, for anyone who doesn’t have their shots.

Emerald Cruises

Emerald Cruises suggests that all passengers be vaccinated, but it no longer checks for proof. Pre-cruise testing is also no longer required, but the line advises travelers to check local regulations in the places they’ll be visiting.

Grand Circle Cruise Line

Vaccine required yes.

Grand Circle has mandated that all passengers must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to embarkation as a condition of carriage, and proof must be provided before boarding. Passengers who are not fully vaccinated will have to return home at their own expense. Boosters are not mandatory. Pre-cruise testing might be required, depending on your port of embarkation. (The line will send you that information prior to your sailing.)

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Hapag-Lloyd does not require vaccinations or pre-cruise testing as a condition of sailing. However, the line recommends both to passengers as precautions. It also advises that cruisers are responsible for knowing and adhering to all local guidelines and regulations.

Holland America

Holland America now allows unvaccinated passengers to sail and does not make pre-cruise testing compulsory unless either of these is required by local regulations in the areas its vessels sail. Booked cruisers can search for requirements specific to their individual sailings by using this tool .

Hurtigruten

Vaccine required sometimes.

On expedition cruises with Hurtigruten , passengers are not required to show proof of vaccination, except on 2023 and 2024 voyages to Antarctica and the Northwest Passage or West Africa sailings departing from and returning to Dakar. Immunization is also not necessary for the line’s non-expedition itineraries, but it is recommended for both coastal voyages and expedition cruises. Neither type of cruise requires negative test results as a condition of embarkation. Passengers with reservations can check specific protocols for their specific bookings using this tool .

Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad passengers no longer need to provide proof of vaccination in order to cruise, and pre-cruise testing is no longer required, including at embarkation. Exceptions might apply for departures from certain destinations. The line urges passengers to follow government recommendations for masking, testing and vaccination.

Related: Why I feel safer now on a cruise ship than in my hometown

MSC Cruises

Vaccination and testing are no longer terms of carriage when sailing with MSC Cruises . The line still recommends that passengers receive their shots and notes that it’s each passenger’s responsibility to comply with local regulations in the places their sailing visits.

Norwegian Cruise Line

In early August 2022, Norwegian Cruise Line became the first major cruise line to roll back its vaccination requirements. Proof of immunization is no longer required, nor is testing in order to board for any voyage.

Oceania Cruises

Upscale cruise line Oceania does not check vaccination records for passengers, nor does it require pre-cruise testing for its sailings.

P&O Cruises

There are no vaccination or testing mandates in place for any of P&O Cruises ‘ voyages.

Ponant ‘s website simply reads, “when you visit certain destinations, vaccines can be recommended,” but they are not required by the line. Ponant also says it will alert passengers to their specific requirements after they have booked a voyage. Testing is also not needed in order to board.

Princess Cruises

Following an industry-wide rollback of protocols, Princess passengers no longer have to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine, nor proof of a negative test result, unless either is required by local regulations. Passengers are responsible for knowing the requirements for the places their ships will visit.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent doesn’t check the vaccination status of any of its passengers unless required by local protocols. Testing requirements vary by location and might depend on whether or not you are up to date on your shots. If vaccination or testing is required, the line will alert cruisers approximately 30 days prior to their sailing date.

Royal Caribbean

To board Royal Caribbean ships, you don’t have to be vaccinated or provide test results. However, the line advises staying up to date on inoculations and following guidelines issued by federal health authorities.

Saga has rolled back its vaccination and testing requirements, which is significant, given that the line only allows passengers 50 and older to sail on its vessels. They will only be required if local authorities dictate them.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Passengers embarking on river and ocean voyages with Scenic will not need to be fully immunized prior to sailing. Testing is not required by the line but might be needed to enter the country in which you’re embarking on your sailing. Passengers are responsible for meeting entry requirements.

For cruises with luxury line Seabourn , there are no line-enforced regulations for vaccination or testing unless required by local authorities in the countries on which its vessels call. To see if your booked sailing requires either of these, check out the line’s search tool .

Luxury brand Silversea does not require shots for its passengers or pre-cruise tests unless they’re needed to meet local regulations.

Star Clippers

Star Clippers has eliminated all vaccine checks and testing protocols for all passengers on all voyages.

For all voyages through 2023, Tauck requires passengers 12 and older to be fully vaccinated and have at least one booster dose and/or show proof of recovery from COVID-19. Passengers 11 years old and younger are not required to be fully vaccinated. If they aren’t fully vaccinated or don’t have a booster, they must provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen test result from a test taken no more than three days prior to embarkation. For sailings in 2024, vaccination and testing requirements will be waived for all passengers.

UnCruise Adventures

All UnCruise passengers are exempt from vaccine and testing requirements. The line will continue to monitor the effects of new variants, as well as CDC recommendations and will adjust its policies accordingly.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

Testing requirements are determined by the countries the ships visit, but the line itself has no vaccine or testing mandates of its own. You can check the protocols for the places on your itinerary for the most up-to-date information by visiting the protocols page on Uniworld’s website .

All Viking passengers, whether on a river sailing or an ocean voyage, must be fully vaccinated for sailings departing on or before Oct. 31, 2023. It will not be required for cruisers embarking on or after Nov. 1, 2023. Testing is no longer required unless passengers are exhibiting symptoms and seek medical assistance.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages will not check proof of immunization or a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar no longer mandates shots for passengers of any age. Testing is not required by the line but might be necessary based on local regulations, which with passengers must comply.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
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• 15 ways cruisers waste money
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• What to pack for your first cruise

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.