Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Children aged 17 years and under will require a passport or Birth Certificate to travel or government issued photo ID. Requirements for going ashore are subject to change as circumstances evolve, and we will continue to updatebooked guests of any requirements for their upcoming cruise. American visitors are barred from strictly tourist vacations to the For more information on travel, see the global travel map, powered by Sherpa. Royal Caribbean Provides Update to Guests Booked on Sailings to Russia, Mechanical Issue Forces Disney Ship to Skip Port, Adjust Itinerary, First Cruise Ship Arrives for Busy Montreal Season, Another Overbooked Oasis-Class Royal Caribbean Ship. For European homeports, the cruise line says guests booked on board will be provided full health and safety guidelines 30 days before departure: Royal Caribbean is working closely with local government and health authorities to finalize protocols and requirements designed for the health and safety of our guests sailing from European and Middle Eastern homeports. It is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality. bring a negative test result for a COVID-19 antigen or PCR test All travelers age 2 and up, regardless of vaccination status, must show a negative result for a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding their flight to San Juan. For now, there is no more restriction. Royal Caribbean recommends guests be fully vaccinated and boostered against Covid19. It can be professionally proctored at your doctor or drugstore, or it can be a test you administer to yourself at home without supervision. Registration details will be sent via email in advance. Children aged 11 and under do not require COVID-19 vaccination to cruise however it is highly recommended. Here are the latest protocols for our guests sailing from Vancouver, British Columbia. Fully vaccinated guests do not need to test at all on cruises 9-nights or less. No Covid test, proof of vaccination or quarantine required. 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. Prior to Disembarking Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. "All other testing requirements and policies are still in place. But he said it would have been difficult for cruise lines to insist on the rules while the CDC loosens its requirements on social distancing and quarantine for people who have been exposed to the virus. Guests 5 and up who are not fully vaccinated must Guests under the age of 2 have no testing requirements. Be sure to familiarize yourself with your countrys specific requirements prior to traveling. Sandals celebrates Global Travel Advisor Day with booking incentives, Airlines' NDC plans fragment distribution, Dondra Ritzenthaler on her retirement from Celebrity Cruises and what's next, No lava, no problem at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, How All-Inclusives Redefine Luxury Vacations, Tourism booms in Jamaica, overwhelming Sangster Airport, Park Hyatt St. Kitts creates a Destination Dining experience. Cruise lines say the new relaxed rules will let them reach the segment of cruisers that were still off-limits as they rebuild their business. The cruise line continues to practice health and safety measures, including the routine monitoring and vaccination of all crew members and keeping them up to date with boosters when they are eligible, enhanced testing and care capabilities in every onboard medical center and more. Vaccine rules were key to the U.S. cruise comeback in summer 2021, under strict rules handed down by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some destinations we visit may require masks at times follow posted signage or your tour guide's direction while ashore. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. The health guidelines released this week align mostly with what Royal Caribbean had already implemented: Also Read: Royal Caribbean Provides Update to Guests Booked on Sailings to Russia. Testing is not required for up to date guests on shorter itineraries. Turks and Caicos: Open to vaccinated travelers Updated March 28, 2023 As of April 1, 2023, proof of vaccination is no longer. If you do not hold proper visa documents, you will be denied boarding without compensation. The new guidelines include unvaccinated guests being required to show a negative COVID-19 test rest before their voyage. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, how to calculate which days you can take your test. Required Testing for All Guests Sailing From U.S. Homeports. Accepted Identification for International Guests (non-U.S. Citizens). Learn more about this requirement here: Before finalizing your travel plans, all guests must review and acknowledge they have read and accepted their obligation to comply with Australian Government protocols and Royal Caribbean supplementary terms and conditions. Booked guests will be advised of the latest requirements for their port of departure before sailing. Sometimes you head for a corner of the world where luxury resides in a surprisingly approachable way. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. Welcome aboard, unvaccinated cruise passengers. The At-home testsmust happen under live supervision on a video call with a telehealth representative. Our ships have been sailing very full all summer, but there is still room for more of our loyal guests, Carnival President Christine Duffy said in a statement. These requirements apply to all guests age 2 and up, regardless of vaccination status, and failure to meet this requirement can result in a $300 USD fine from Puerto Rico authorities. While vaccination is not required, they kindly ask passengers to disclose their vaccine status during check-in. Royal Caribbean's test provider will administer these, at no cost to our guests. Guests age 16 and older that present an officialUS state-issued Birth Certificate will also need to provide a valid Drivers License or picture ID issued by the government. A U.S. Passport book is required for sailings that depart from homeports outside of the U.S. For sailings departing from U.S. homeports, an official US state-issued Birth Certificate is also accepted. Puerto Rico residents must complete a COVID-19 test after their cruise, at their own expense, and upload the results to Puerto Ricos TravelSafe Declaration form within 48 hours of departing the ship. See testing r. What are the top things to know after I have booked a Royal Caribbean cruise? Guests extending their stay in Puerto Rico after sailing must complete a COVID-19 test after their cruise, and upload the results to Puerto Ricos TravelSafe Declaration form within 24 hours of departing the ship. All Royal Caribbean guests age 2 and older, regardless of vaccination status, will take a COVID-19 antigen test at the terminal prior to boarding the ship. Tests must be arranged on your own and are at your own expense. Credit: Jennifer Martins. Travelers who are unvaccinated are required to take a Covid test within 72 hours of departure and produce . Late last month, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty told The Washington Post in an interview that 70 to 80 percent of the companys customer base was vaccinated. On sailings 10 night or longer, fully vaccinated guests age 5 and up must bring a negative test result for a COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken within the 3 days before boarding day. It is recommended that all guests have the influenza vaccine at least two weeks prior to sailing. Fully vaccinated guests do not need to test at all on cruises 5-nights or less. There were nuances, and slight changes based on ports, but those were the core rules Royal. Show proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken no more than 72 hours prior to boarding, or proof of a positive test together with documentation from their doctor attesting to their recovery. Freedom to cruise and not have the jab, she said. Protocols are subject to change and we are committed to keeping you informed if they do. Travel tips you can trust. NOTE: Sailings longer than 10 nights may have additional onboard testing requirements, Required Testing for All Guests Sailing From San Juan, Puerto Rico, All Guests: Required Testing to Enter Puerto Rico. Disney Cruise Line announced plans to drop its vaccination requirementin September. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. Ships will be sailing with a minimum of 95% of guests vaccinated; however, Royal Caribbean has not decided yet on whether or not a booster will be required in the future. From pre-boarding testing to getting you back home safely, we've got answers. As part of Australian Federal and State Government guidelines for cruising, at least 95% of guests aged 12+ must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Frank Del Rio, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, said in an earnings call last week that the companys announcement about new protocols the day before was an instant catalyst, resulting in one of our top three best booking days of the year.. Guests under 2 years of age will not be tested. This is an additional layer of precaution to ensure the safety of everyone onboard," Royal Caribbean told USA Today in a statement. It is very important that all guests arrive at the terminal within the arrival time slot you selected during Royal App check-in. If your cruise departs before September 4, 2022U.S. Home Ports with no stops in Bermuda or Canada: Guests 2 to 11 years of age who are not fully vaccinated must bring a negative test result for aCovidantigen or PCR test taken within the 3 days before boarding day, regardless of the duration of their cruise. And plenty of lobster. Guests who are fully vaccinated but do not meet the up-to-date requirement may take a supervised PCR test no more than three days before sailing. Guests under 2 years of age do not need to complete a pre-cruise test. As protocols for different cruise itineraries, embarkation ports, and destinations have been shifting rapidly in the past few weeks, guests booked on the upcoming transatlantic crossings from Europe to North America will be relieved to finally have updated guidance for their cruise travel. 2 min read. Mechanical Issue Forces Disney Ship to Skip Port, Adjust Itinerary, First Cruise Ship Arrives for Busy Montreal Season, Another Overbooked Oasis-Class Royal Caribbean Ship. Required testing can be completed using any type of PCR or antigen COVID-19 test. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, United States Department of State travel information website, United States Department of State foreign entry requirements website, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website. Quite frankly, the feedback that weve gotten across the board from most of our guests is theyre happy to see cruising return to normalcy, he said. Unvaccinated kids will take acomplimentaryantigen test onboard before the cruise ends. The changes took effect for its Scarlet Lady vesselOct. 28, and forValiant Lady onOct. 30, according to itswebsite. Vaccinated guests who require a COVID-19 test for re-entry into their country may receive one onboard as well. Proof of vaccination or negative test is not required for U.S. travelers. Before you grab the inexpensive home tests to use, there are some important considerations and exceptions you should be aware of. Royal Caribbean and Disney's changes come as other cruise lines have similarly droppedremaining COVID rules. Guests traveling into Australia from another country should be sure to look into any requirements your own home country may have for exiting or re-entering its borders. 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, More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers on Board, These Cruise Lines Will Accept At-home Covid Tests for Unvaccinated Passengers, Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing. Shrimp po boys and live music: Big Freedias New Orleans favorites. US Residents, please contact VisaCentral online atwww.visacentral.com/royalcaribbean, emailrci@visacentral.comorcall 800-858-8579,andbe sure to reference Royal Caribbeanaccount 44988for reduced service fees. Two weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a clinical trial Two weeks (14 days) after you received two doses of any "mix-and-match". Previously, Royal Caribbean required vaccinated travelers to get tested for cruises that were 10 nights and longer and required unvaccinated travelers 5 and older to get tested as well. Please note the most recent visa requirements for non-United States guests sailing on an Alaskan itinerary require a Canadian visa to participate in the cruise. specific categories, the most popular of which is Support for the Cuban Changes involve the cruise line eliminating the vaccinated and unvaccinated areas onboard its ships. Could Disney move out of Florida? Read Our Detailed FAQ On Accepted Tests. For sailings departing from U.S. homeports, anofficialUS state-issued Birth Certificate is also accepted. Major lines including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises also removed all remaining testing and vaccination requirements for manyvoyages in recent weeks. It is the responsibility of the guest to identify, obtain and present necessary visas before the start of their cruise vacation. Or you can show a picture of your negative home test on your phone, or present the actual negative test itself. The following resources may also be of assistance to guests in determining what type of visa is required. Sailings longer than 10 nights may have additional onboard testing requirements. Must complete the digital immigration card online prior to departure. Alternatively, please contact our call center team on 1800 754 500 or your travel advisor. Minimal handwritten components (such as a check mark on a negative box) are acceptable as long as the other required information is printed on the document. Jackie Friedman, president of the host travel agency Nexion Travel Group which supports independent travel agents said a few cancellations had come from travelers who booked trips with the expectation of more rigorous rules. One of the earliest coronavirus outbreaks was on a Princess Cruises ship in Japan in February 2020; as ships tried to return to port after the shutdown, many destinations turned them away. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. If your cruise departs on or afterSeptember 5, 2022 from England and the Netherlands: Guests 12 years of age and older who are not vaccinated or not up to date with their vaccination, must bring a negative test result for a Covid antigen test taken within 24 hours before boarding day, or PCR test taken within 72 hours before boarding day, regardless of the duration of their cruise. Crew wore masks all the time. U.S. Passport book that is valid at least 6 months after your cruise ends. Here's everything you need to know before your holiday from vaccination and testing requirements to checking in, and other steps to help ensure a smooth boarding day experience. For minors/children with a different last name or child travelling without a parent/guardian, please see more information on ID requirements, To be considered fully vaccinated guests should be vaccinated with a recognized vaccine and dosage as specified by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). On Tuesday, the company said booking activity on Monday after the new rules were announced was almost double the activity on the equivalent day in 2019. Guests 5 and up who are not fully vaccinated must Children aged 11 and under do not require COVID-19 vaccination to cruise however it is highly recommended. Just the same, we'll let you know if any requirements are reduced or eliminated. You can notify us via the vaccination survey which will be sent to guest emails seven (7) days after your booking is made. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! It would be very difficult for them to justify that, he said. But they arent eager to see every precaution go away. At the Terminal Royal Caribbean requires all guests 12 and older to show proof of vaccination before boarding nearly all cruises except those leaving out of Florida. Currently there are no restrictions or required tours for any guest to go ashore at public ports of call or at our private destinations, regardless of vaccination status. Unvaccinated minors must also take a rapid. Weve seen a huge spike in bookings, like a massive spike in bookings, the Harr Travel CEO said. Accepted Identification for U.S. Citizens U.S. Passport book that is valid at least 6 months after your cruise ends. Guests under 2 years of age do not need to complete a pre-cruise test. Getting off ship to debark we had to wear masks until we left terminal. The final dose of the primary vaccine series must be administered at least 14 days before sailing. And a lot of them are people that we worked with before the pandemic. For cruises leaving from Florida, any passenger 12 and older who chooses not to show proof of vaccination is required to get tested again at the terminal before boarding a cruise, get tested while on the cruise for sailings six nights or longer, and then get tested before disembarking. We need to start living in reality and stop discriminating against unvaxxed, one Facebook user wrote to Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley. All passengers must provide a negative covid test taken no more than two days before their sailing. These protocols are subject to change. Some destinations we visit may require masks. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. If your cruise departs on or afterSeptember 5, 2022 from Europe with no stops in Greece: The test you take can be professionally administered by a health professional, such as a doctor or pharmacist, or you can use a home test kit. For all other nationalities, a passport (plus visa if needed in Australia) is required. Join TravelAge West and severalAlaskapartners for a three-part series exploring all the incredible possibilities https://www.travelweekly.com/Caribbean-Travel/Caribbean-readies-for-a-wave-of-reopenings. The cruise linewill no longer require unvaccinated passengers to take a test prior to boarding on sailings from the United States as of November 14, according to its website. Next month, unvaccinated travelers 5 years old and older on voyages less than 16 days will have to get a PCR test or perform a home rapid antigen test within three days of sailing and upload. Beginning September 5,Royal Caribbean will allow guests on U.S. cruises the choice of taking a home test or a test professionally administered by a health professional. All crew onboard the ship are fully vaccinated. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Drop Cruise Vaccination Requirements for Select Homeports. Visitors must fill out Aruba's Embarkation/Debarkation Card and answer questions about their recent health. To be eligible, guests must meet the following . and New Orleans. With the summer cruise season about to end in Europe, Royal Caribbean International has updated its protocols for eight different transatlantic crossings in the next two months. Cruise business has been brisk this year at Danny Genungs travel agency, but its been supercharged since cruise lines started easing testing and vaccine requirements in the past couple of weeks. Guests must comply with local guidelines where applicable. Home test kits for these sailings are not required to be administered under live video supervision. Guests who are up to date with their vaccination status must bring a negative test result for a Covid antigen test taken within 24 hours before boarding day, or PCR test taken within 72 hours before boarding day, on sailings that are 10 nights or longer only.