Trevor James
As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the cruise industry is making a comeback. However, with vaccine requirements being implemented across the globe, many travellers are unsure of the vaccination requirements for cruising. Most major cruise lines now require proof of vaccination for the majority of travellers over a certain age, with some requiring all passengers to be vaccinated. Testing requirements may also vary by cruise line, with some requiring PCR or antigen tests within a certain timeframe before departure. Ultimately, travellers should check the specific requirements of their chosen cruise line and destination, as these policies are subject to change and may be stricter than expected.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination Requirements | Vary by cruise line, destination, and age; some require full vaccination for guests 12 and older, while others set the minimum age at 5 |
| Exemptions | Allowed for children under a certain age (varies by cruise line) and adults with valid medical reasons; exemptions may also be granted for religious beliefs |
| Testing | Testing requirements vary by cruise line; vaccinated and unvaccinated guests may have different testing protocols and timelines |
| Insurance | Some cruise lines require unvaccinated travelers over a certain age to have insurance covering medical expenses and emergency evacuation costs |
| Onboard Experience | Vaccinated and unvaccinated cruisers generally have the same experience; however, certain areas or activities may be restricted to vaccinated guests only |
| Mask Requirements | May vary by cruise duration and destination; masks may be mandatory indoors or in specific areas, especially for unvaccinated individuals |
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What You'll Learn
Exemptions for children and adults
Similarly, Royal Caribbean's vaccination requirements depend on the port of embarkation. For cruises departing from European ports like Barcelona, Rome, and Southampton, all passengers aged 18 and older must be fully vaccinated. In contrast, cruises departing from North American ports like Seattle, Galveston, Cape Liberty, and Florida require full vaccination for passengers aged 12 and older.
MSC Cruises requires all guests aged 2 and up to wear masks indoors but has different testing protocols for vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers. While fully vaccinated passengers must test and present negative results within two days of embarkation, unvaccinated children between ages 2 and 11 must present negative PCR or NAAT results taken within three days of boarding.
Norwegian Cruise Line encourages all passengers to take a COVID-19 PCR test or an antigen test within 72 hours before boarding but does not allow any unvaccinated passengers onboard.
It is important to note that cruise lines generally require unvaccinated guests to undergo additional onboard testing, which may incur extra costs. Unvaccinated travellers may also be restricted from participating in specific shore excursions or certain onboard activities, as seen with Carnival's policy of allowing only vaccinated children in their youth programs and onboard trampoline park.
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Testing requirements
Carnival Cruises
Carnival Cruises requires unvaccinated travellers over the age of 12 departing from Florida or Texas to provide proof of insurance. This policy will turn away unvaccinated cruisers without insurance at the port and they will not be eligible for a refund. Testing requirements also vary depending on the departure port. For cruises departing from Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, and Texas, unvaccinated cruisers must take a PCR test three days before sailing and an antigen test at the pier. For cruises from Long Beach, exemptions are allowed for children and as required by law.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean has implemented a policy where vaccinated passengers may remove their face coverings in onboard venues reserved exclusively for vaccinated guests. Unvaccinated travellers aged 12 and above must be vaccinated to cruise. Children under 12 do not need to be vaccinated but must book tours through the cruise line if they wish to disembark the ship. They are not allowed to explore independently in port or reserve tours from private companies.
Norwegian
Norwegian does not require mask-wearing onboard as all guests are vaccinated. However, on its European cruises, masks are mandated indoors due to local regulations. Unvaccinated children under 12 are allowed to cruise with Norwegian.
Ambassador Cruise Line
Ambassador Cruise Line only accepts fully vaccinated guests, defined as those who have received two vaccinations plus a booster shot. All children aged 12-17 must have had two doses of a UK-approved COVID-19 vaccination to travel, and proof of vaccination must be provided. Children aged 5-11 do not need to be vaccinated but must provide a negative COVID-19 antigen test within 72 hours of departure.
Aurora Expeditions
Aurora Expeditions requires all guests to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination in advance of the voyage. All guests must also take a PCR test less than 72 hours before departure and undergo a pre-boarding health screening. On day 3 of the voyage, rapid antigen testing will be conducted.
Cunard
Cunard requires all guests to provide proof of full vaccination documentation, which will be checked against their photo ID. Guests aged 5-17 who are not fully vaccinated must take a COVID-19 antigen/lateral flow test within 72 hours of departure, and photographic evidence must be supplied at the port.
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Insurance requirements
While some cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated, the vast majority of cruises now mandate full vaccination for all guests aged 12 and older. For example, Princess Cruises operates vaccinated cruises, with at least 95% of guests aged 12 and older fully vaccinated. P&O Cruises also requires full vaccination for its UK coastal cruises, with no age restrictions.
Regardless of vaccination status, it is highly recommended that travellers purchase travel insurance before embarking on a cruise. This is because, without insurance, unexpected costs may arise for flights, accommodation, meals, and medical treatment. For example, if you test positive for COVID-19, you will need to quarantine before returning home, and insurance can cover these additional costs.
Cruise lines may also have specific insurance requirements that must be met. For instance, MSC Cruises requires unvaccinated travellers on its US-based ships to purchase its Travel Insurance and COVID-19 Protection Services. This insurance covers emergency medical transportation, medical treatment, land-based quarantine, and transportation home for positive cases.
Furthermore, some countries and regions only accept vaccines approved by their regulatory agencies, so it is important to check the requirements of your destination. For example, the US only accepts vaccines approved by the FDA, WHO, or EMA.
It is crucial to carefully review the insurance requirements of your chosen cruise line and destination to ensure you have adequate coverage for your trip.
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Mask mandates
The rules regarding mask mandates on cruise ships vary depending on the cruise line and local regulations. Here are the mask mandate policies for some of the major cruise lines:
Norwegian Cruise Line:
Norwegian Cruise Line initially required all passengers to be vaccinated, and thus did not require mask-wearing onboard. However, on its Europe cruises, masks were mandated indoors due to local regulations. Norwegian's sister brand, Oceania, follows a similar policy, allowing passengers to go maskless unless required by local restrictions.
MSC Cruises:
MSC Cruises initially had varying policies depending on the sailing region. For instance, on cruises sailing from the US, masks were required for all passengers when outside their staterooms, except when eating or drinking. However, as of 2023, MSC Cruises no longer requires masks onboard for any of its sailings.
Carnival:
Carnival initially mandated masks onboard all of its sailings, requiring passengers to wear masks when outside their cabins unless actively eating or drinking. This policy was in effect until at least October 31, 2021, and masks were encouraged for unvaccinated guests under 16 years old while indoors.
Royal Caribbean:
Royal Caribbean designated certain areas as "vaccinated venues," where only vaccinated cruisers could enter and masks were not required. In other areas, masks were required for unvaccinated individuals unless they were eating, drinking, or in their staterooms.
Disney Cruise Line:
Disney required all guests 12 and older to be fully vaccinated, while children ages 5-11 could be unvaccinated with approval. Masks were highly encouraged, especially for unvaccinated guests, but they were not required at any point of the sailing. Disney's Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab for kids ages 3 to 12 were open, but kids had to wear masks at all times.
Princess Cruises:
Princess Cruises strongly recommended the use of masks onboard, especially in elevators, indoor entertainment areas, retail shops, and the casino, unless guests were eating or drinking.
Holland America Line:
Holland America Line initially required masks for unvaccinated passengers at all times, except when eating or drinking. Vaccinated passengers did not need to wear masks onboard.
Victory Cruise Lines:
Victory Cruise Lines caters exclusively to vaccinated passengers and does not require masks onboard. However, mask usage is still mandatory during embarkation and on shore excursion motorcoaches.
It is important to note that these policies may change over time, and passengers should refer to the specific cruise line's website for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, local regulations in ports of call may also dictate onboard mask requirements, and passengers should be prepared to follow these mandates.
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Vaccination proof
The vaccination requirements for cruising vary across different cruise lines and change with time. Here is a summary of the vaccination proof requirements for some popular cruise lines:
Norwegian and Holland America
These cruise lines do not allow any unvaccinated passengers on board.
Carnival
Carnival cruises from Long Beach allow exemptions for children and as required by law to accommodate medical risks and religious beliefs. However, unvaccinated travellers over 12 departing from Florida or Texas must provide proof of insurance. This policy requires coverage of at least $10,000 per person in medical expenses and $30,000 for emergency evacuation costs.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean has labelled certain areas as "vaccinated venues", where only vaccinated passengers are allowed, and masks are not required. They also require unvaccinated travellers over the age of 12 to book tours through the cruise line if they wish to disembark the ship.
Ambassador Cruise Line
Ambassador Cruise Line only accepts fully vaccinated guests, defined as those who have received two vaccinations plus a booster shot. Children aged 12-17 must have had two doses of a UK-approved COVID-19 vaccination to travel, and proof of vaccination must be provided.
Aurora Expeditions
Aurora Expeditions requires all guests to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination in advance of the voyage. Full vaccination consists of two initial doses followed by a booster if more than five months have passed since the primary vaccination.
Cunard
Cunard requires proof of full vaccination, which will be checked against photo ID. Printed or digital formats, including screenshots, are accepted as long as they are official certificates issued by a local health authority.
It is important to note that these policies are subject to change, and it is recommended to check the latest updates and specific requirements directly with the cruise lines before planning a trip.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, for the most part, you need to be vaccinated to go on a cruise. However, this may vary depending on the cruise line and the regulations of the destinations visited.
Some cruise lines may allow unvaccinated passengers onboard, but this is subject to change. It's best to check with the specific cruise line for the most up-to-date information.
Yes, children under a certain age may be exempt from vaccination requirements. For example, Ambassador Cruise Line requires children aged 12-17 to have two doses, but those under 12 do not need to be vaccinated.
Unvaccinated individuals may have to follow additional protocols, such as booking tours through the cruise line, taking specific tests, or providing proof of insurance. These requirements vary by cruise line and destination.
The time frame may vary, but generally, it is recommended to receive your final vaccine dose at least 14 days before sailing to ensure you meet the requirements.
