Where was one of the first places that SARS-CoV2 outbreaks were being noticed? Royal Caribbean Shares Huge News on Covid Testing, Vaccine Rules President Michael Bayley gave some straight answers on pre-cruise covid testing and potentially dropping vaccine. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Azamara does not require negative test results in order to board unless mandated by local governments in the ports where the line's ships sail. Most major cruise lines require proof of vaccination for all passengers age 12 and up, and some require them for kids as young as 5 years old (Pfizer's . The cruise company's new sailings from the Bahamas will require all adult guests "to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Reminders going from indoors to outdoors and vice-versa were especially helpful. While there, I noticed most of the passengers in this area were parents with young children. Viking Cruises already has the booster requirement in place. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean International on Friday announced plans to bring back six more ships including some of its largest for U.S. sailings starting July 2. All cruisers -- regardless of vaccination status -- had to wear masks in indoor spaces unless they were explicitly designated for vaccinated cruisers. Royal Caribbean announced Thursday its no longer requiring vaccinated guests to take a COVID-19 test prior to embarking on cruises six nights or less. CDC stops reporting coronavirus cases on cruise ships. Travelers to be Screened for COVID-19. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. These Countries Require It for Entry, Where Can Americans Travel Right Now? Guests who are fully vaccinated or age 17 and younger do not have any testing requirements. As Taylor Doven reported for the Miami Herald, Royal Carribean issued a statement on Friday that said, Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible. This app allowed us to check in for the voyage, set up an onboard account, fill out a pre-boarding health questionnaire and complete the e-muster drill (which replaces traditional muster drills where people gather in large groups). Visitors must still fill out a health screening form prior to arrival. The Royal Caribbean cruise line plans to drop its COVID-19 testing requirement for some guests starting on Aug. 8, according to a statement on its website. They waved me through to security, where my carry-on was screened. Before joining the News 6 team, Samantha was a political reporter for The Villages Daily Sun and has had freelance work featured in the Evansville Courier-Press and The Community Paper. At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made its guidance optional for cruise lines and has warned against boarding a cruise ship at the moment, regardless of a person's vaccination status. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. This includes vaccination of all crew and keeping them up to date with boosters when eligible, routine surveillance of all crew, enhanced testing and treatment capabilities in our onboard medical centers, and much more. Royal Caribbean International will no longer require its cruise passengers to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as it had previously planned to. Your sailing is fast approaching, and we're looking forward to welcoming you onboard. Royal Caribbean recommends guests be fully vaccinated and boostered against Covid19. I showed mine, and the agent gave me a purple rubber bracelet to wear. Related: Will I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? #CancelCulture. Guests under this age requirement who haven't been vaccinated will instead have to be tested for the virus. The company said all crew members will be vaccinated. Lindblad, Silversea, Azamara cruise lines will require the additional COVID-19 vaccine dose for those eligible starting March 1. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a "No Sail Order" for cruise ships from March 14, 2020, as the national health body had "reason to believe that cruise ship travel may continue to introduce, transmit, or spread COVID-19.". Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to bea useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Royal Caribbean extended the suspension of sailings for its global fleet through May 31 (excluding cruises aboard the Quantum, Spectrum, Voyager and Odyssey of the Seas cruise ships) "in order to allow additional time for our return to service preparations," the company said in a statement on March 19. Guests under the age of 12 do not have any testing requirements. "Guests . But at the time, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said these boycott demands were based on a "misconception.". If not, just leave blank, Royal Caribbean drops pre-cruise testing requirement for almost all cruises, Royal Caribbean Group CEO says decision will be made if covid vaccine will be mandatory to cruise, Royal Caribbean has not decided on any more cancellations following Norwegian Cruise Line announcement, Two crew members with coronavirus evacuated from Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean stock surges after COVID-19 vaccine tests are more than 90% effective, Royal Caribbean bolsters financial situation with $3.48 billion in backup financing, You might have to take a COVID-19 test to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise in the future. At this checkpoint, an agent told me that if I wanted to present a vaccine card, that was the time to do so. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. A Country-by-country Guide, Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing, Uniworld to Become One of the First River Cruises to Drop Vaccine Requirements next Year, Carnival Cruise Line to Lift Mask Requirement on Board Starting March 1, Every Caribbean Island's COVID-19 Travel Policies and What You Need to Know to Plan Your Trip, Royal Caribbean Launches Hotel Booking Platform for One-stop Trip Planning, These Caribbean Destinations Just Dropped the Pre-arrival Testing Requirement for Vaccinated Travelers, eliminated testing for vaccinated passengers, officially ended its pandemic-era program for cruise ships. Feel free to visitourFAQsfor full details on vaccination requirements. Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date.. That's because testing two days before is at best imperfect and it may not have done much to stop covid from spreading. Then I was allowed to proceed to the check-in area. More than 2.7 million people have died worldwide and more than 69.9 million have recovered as of Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Rather, we focus on discussions related to local stories by our own staff. The graphic below, produced by Statista, illustrates the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. Newsweek, in partnership with NewsGuard, is dedicated to providing accurate and verifiable vaccine and health information. When Royal Caribbean resumed cruises in 2021, Covid-19 protocols were a major component to the onboard experience. The venue was open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers. All guests aged 4 and older are required to have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding. Under the current voluntary CDC guidelines, 95% of passengers must be vaccinated. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Check here before booking an award fare. Or do we need the physical card? In the U.S., kids younger than 5 are exempt from testing and vaccination requirements. Many and most of the destinations that we visit require a high degree of vaccination, and they expect our crew to be vaccinated.". Required testing can be completed using any type of PCR or antigen COVID-19 test. Several people on social media have made calls to boycott cruises with Royal Caribbean after the company announced its new sailings from the Bahamas will require adult guests to be "fully vaccinated against COVID-19" in a statement on Friday. The change comes just over a week after Royal Caribbean first eased vaccine requirements for cruises departing from Los Angeles, Galveston, New Orleans, and any European homeport as well as weeks after Royal Caribbean eliminated testing for vaccinated passengers on shorter sailings. | Trust Index: Do COVID booster shots make you more susceptible to the virus? This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Beginning Sept. 5, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity will also accept at-home tests on trips from U.S. ports that don't visit Canada or Bermuda. The vaccine is not perfect. Please review this document and acknowledge acceptance via the tick The cruise line said that it would only "strongly". Over the past few months that program became voluntary and masks went away while other restrictions eased. MAGAs are starting to boycott Royal Caribbean because they are requiring vaccinations for adult passengers and crew members when they start sailing again in June. According to Royal Caribbean's Healthy Sail Center, for all sailings departing on or after Friday, February 25, 2022, face masks will become optional for all fully vaccinated passengers - with . Up until now, only unvaccinated guests under the age of 12 have been allowed on Royal Caribbean ships. Currently, Royal Caribbean requires travelers 12 and older to be vaccinated on U.S. cruises. Regardless of the rules, passengers are sure to have a good time. The announcement of these select vaccinated cruises later resulted in boycott demands in late March across Facebook and Twitter. . Wristbands were also diligently checked in spaces intended for vaccinated cruisers. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the company said in a statement. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and more to drop vaccination requirements for select sailings. The CDC has dropped its voluntary program to monitor cruise ships. Azamara will require all vaccinated guests to show proof they have received a booster in March. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images), Royal Caribbean International has announced. Lindblad, Silversea, Azamara cruise lines will require the additional COVID-19 vaccine dose for those eligible starting March 1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have removed the COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships as of Monday. Enrollment required. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. Bayley noted that the CDC shared some information with him about the "millions" of people who have sailed from U.S. ports over the past 12 months. Starting September 5, 2022, all guests can sail with Royal Caribbean, regardless of vaccination status. Vaccinated travelers will not be required to get tested for cruises that are 9 nights or less. While vaccination is not required for guests under 12, we kindly ask that you fill out their status below. Like what you see? User @FunTimeFred1 wrote: "I'm 100% with you, Simone Any company that make this a requirement will go bust," in a reply to the message by @drsimonegold. This voyage included calls on Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island, in the Bahamas. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. It felt normal in many ways, but compared to two other recent cruises I took, it was a bit more controlled. Unvaccinated adults and vaccine exemptions. All of this have prompted a fair number of tweets to use the words petri dish. For example: Think back to February 2020 right before the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak officially became a pandemic. Follow her adventures on Instagram. In recent weeks, several cruise lines have been forced to cancel sailings (and some have implemented stronger mask policies) amid the emergence of the omicron variant. Since September 2022,all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, were able to cruise on most itineraries, as long as they meet testing requirements to board. Related: Cruise hack: 6 ways to turn a voyage on a mass-market ship into a luxury experience. How do you count the 14 days for full vaccination, exactly? On the other hand, a single Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak can end up costing a cruise ship company a whole lot, including reputational damage. Meanwhile, Hawaii is set to abolish inter-island travel restrictions, but . Royal Caribbean will require vaccinated guests 5 and older to take a pre-cruise test on sailings from the U.S . The test cruises will show whether ships can sail safely and follow CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. decision to sail less than 95% vaccinated, areas and services unvaccinated passengers can access, Will I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? In late June, the Royal Caribbean cruise line will, be allowed to operate test cruises out of South Florida after receiving approval from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People still get covid, as do crew members, but only two people have died, and very few have gotten seriously ill. Eager cruisers looking to resume sailing with Royal Caribbean will now have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to updated guidance from the major cruise line. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Essentially, while the CDC set parameters, the cruise lines have been policing themselves for months. For non-U.S. guests, the line will also accept Astra-Zeneca.". regardless of vaccination status, can cruise on the . (Photo by Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images) Due to changing vaccine regulations in the Bahamas, which is a frequent stop for many cruise lines, Royal Caribbean's policy for voyages leaving from Florida will now be the same as its policy for those from all other U.S. embarkation ports -- proof of inoculation is required -- from Sept. 3 through at least Nov. 1, 2021. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Credit card showdown: Alaska Airlines Visa vs. Alaska Airlines Business Visa, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know, 21 new Hyatt hotels where you can get 500 extra points per night. Samantha started at WKMG-TV in September 2020. Day 1. Previously, the website said passengers 16 years old and older on all of the companys U.S. cruises had to meet the requirement. Our intention is to comply with all federal, state and local laws, she said via email. The announcement is a reversal from previous statements and vaccine protocols the company submitted to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month that said it would require all passengers at least 18 years old and older to be vaccinated. MIAMI Royal Caribbean International will no longer require any of its cruise passengers to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as it had previously planned to. The industry-wide trend comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially ended its pandemic-era program for cruise ships last month. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. Hawaii. Assuming that you have hundreds or even thousands of people on your cruise ships, a quick calculation with your fingers and toes will show that defying this order from the Florida state government could quickly put you out of business. Royal Caribbean just announced a new collection of seven-night summer cruises to the Bahamas and Mexico, but don't consider booking a spot unless you plan on being fully vaccinated against. Watch News 6 as they cover breaking local, regional, and national news, plus the latest updates on weather, traffic and sports. Does that mean covid-testing requirements and vaccine mandates will be dropped? says. Business reporter, BBC News. Silversea also provides complimentary rapid antigen tests for all disembarking passengers. Requiring passengers to be fully vaccinated would be one of the best ways of preventing an outbreak. On CocoCay, everyone was allowed to go ashore on their own and no masks were required. The post has had over 7,200 likes since it was first shared on Monday. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). I will not do business with anyone requiring a vaccine," in a post that received over 130 likes since it was first shared. 1:03 Royal Caribbean International is resuming cruises aimed at U.S. vacationers this summer - with a twist. For more information, please see here . Offers may be subject to change without notice. The US hasn't mandated the COVID vaccine for all eager cruiser goers, but the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that cruise lines with 98% of crew and 95% of passengers vaccinated can skip the "simulated voyages" that would otherwise be necessary for cruise lines to resume "restricted passenger voyages" again. Strongly recommended is certainly different from required. The Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas (left) prepares to set sail from PortMiami during the first U.S. trial cruise testing Covid-19 protocols on June 20, 2021 in Miami. After all, rarely do you hear someone ask, is that person wearing a full business suit or just a suspender man thong? *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. Maarten.". updated guidance from the major cruise line. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Carnival cruise lines are easing their pandemic-era protocol by allowing unvaccinated travelers on more sailings, as well as accepting at-home COVID-19 tests for boarding. The new Florida law can leave businesses like cruise ship lines caught between a rock and a hard place. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian all require anyone 12 and older sailing on their ships to be fully. "Boosters can be received any time prior to embarkation. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Following August 1, this age requirement will fall to 12 years old or older. Get ready for cruise ships carrying people who are not vaccinated against Covid-19. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. It is unclear if cruise companies will be allowed to ask passengers if they have been vaccinated as part of the boarding process, even if they dont require vaccination to board. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. I will be boycotting the company instead. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. 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To find out more about the new guidelines issued, click here. Starting Sept. 5, Royal Caribbean will welcome both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers of all ages, according to the cruise line. Instead, Odyssey will begin her inaugural season out of a new homeport, Haifa, Israel from June to October 2021. On the one hand, no business wants to shell out $5,000 (which would be equivalent to at least 2,500 hot dogs) per customer just for the heck of it. This protocol will go into place starting Aug. 8. Vaccinated guests aged 12 and over will no longer have any pre-cruise COVID-19 related protocols. The order was most recently extended on September 30 last year but on October 30, "a Framework for Conditional Sailing Order" was issued by the CDC. This closure is related to staffing and the logistics of keeping passengers socially distanced, despite the fact that the ship was sailing at less than 30% capacity and 93% of passengers were vaccinated. Royal Caribbean no longer says Florida cruise passengers must receive the coronavirus vaccine, instead noting the shots are "strongly recommended." The reversal comes as Gov. Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results, a clear photo of your self-test result, or your actual self-test in hand. "Two is terrible. Royal Caribbean cruises are back but vaccinations will be optional. These Major Cruise Lines Just Dropped COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Shorter Sailings What to Know, Norwegian Cruises to Allow Unvaccinated Passengers Starting in September, Uniworld to Become One of the First River Cruises to Drop Vaccine Requirements next Year, More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers on Board, Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing, These Cruise Lines Will Accept At-home Covid Tests for Unvaccinated Passengers, Will I Need a Booster Shot to Travel? Check directly with your cruise line about their COVID-19 testing or vaccination protocols before travel. A line-by-line guide, 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise, Cruise hack: 6 ways to turn a voyage on a mass-market ship into a luxury experience, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). Stay up to date with what you want to know. "Cruise passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, and outbreaks of COVID-19 have been reported on cruise ships," the CDC warns. Unfortunately, the announcement didn't come in time for this voyage. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. "This Order introduces a phased approach for resuming passenger cruises. The cruises will depart from Bermuda and the Bahamas, and adult passengers must be. Many cruise fans and potential passengers may expect that this CDC decision means that vaccine requirements and precruise testing may soon go away. We would appreciate if you could take a moment to provide your COVID-19 vaccination status ahead of your cruise. Carnival Cruise Line Royal Caribbean has made it a practice to provide periodic . Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Symphony of the Seas (WPLG) Royal Caribbean announced Thursday it's no longer requiring vaccinated guests to take a COVID-19 test prior to embarking on. We didn't need a card at all because for the most part they don't require masks anymore. The company plans to "resume further operation in June" but noted updates on extended suspensions for the following ships and sailings: The company warns: "Health and safety protocols, guest conduct rules, and regional travel restrictions vary by ship and destination, and are subject to change without notice. Lyan Sierra-Caro, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean International, said the plans to require passengers be vaccinated that the company submitted to the CDC only applied to its test cruises. This comes more than a week after Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed its voluntary COVID-19 reporting program for cruise ships on July 18. Hmm in my country there are no physical vaccination cards. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. In the past when Royal Caribbean relaxed travel requirements, they've reinforced their ships are still a step ahead of other travel in terms of protocols, "We continue to maintain additional layers of protection that far exceed any other vacation experience. Who else is with me? Guests age 12 and up who are not fully vaccinated have 3 days to take a test before their cruise, regardless the duration of the cruise. According to Viking's COVID-19 protocol, select at-home tests will meet Viking's travel requirement, provided they include a laboratory-certified proof of result. Each person sailing was required to download the Royal Caribbean app. Both crew members and guests over 16 years old will have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to sail on the . Similarly, on Silversea the new policy mandates that eligible passengers must receive a booster "provided the required time has passed after the completion of their primary COVID-19 vaccination series.