Chloe Ramirez
As of 2021, Carnival Cruise Line required all passengers over the age of 12 to be fully vaccinated before boarding cruises in Texas and Florida, despite state guidelines barring vaccine passports. The CDC approved Carnival cruises to request proof of vaccination, with the latest guidance stating that guests must show proof that it has been at least 14 days since their final dose of the coronavirus vaccine. This was in accordance with the requirements of some destinations, such as the Bahamas, which barred cruise ships from entering unless all passengers over 12 were vaccinated. It is unclear whether Carnival still requires proof of vaccination in 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Proof of vaccination required | Yes, for guests over 12 years old |
| Proof of vaccination requirements | Vaccination card with guest's name, photo ID, dates of vaccine doses, name of the facility administering the vaccination |
| Time since final dose | At least 14 days before the beginning of the cruise |
| Booster dose requirements | Required for guests 18 and older if the last COVID-19 vaccine dose is older than 9 months |
| Additional requirements | Negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken before or at embarkation |
| Exemptions | Children under 12 and adults with medical conditions that prohibit inoculation |
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What You'll Learn
Proof of vaccination required for Carnival Cruise passengers over 12
As of 2021, Carnival Cruise Line passengers over the age of 12 were required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination before boarding cruises in Texas, despite state guidelines barring "vaccine passports". This mandate was in accordance with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) latest guidance, which stated that at least 95% of passengers needed to be fully vaccinated. Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy highlighted that the alternative to complying with the CDC's guidelines would be to operate with an unvaccinated guest base, which would make it "very difficult to deliver the experience our guests expect, especially given the large number of families with younger children who sail with us".
Carnival's decision to require proof of vaccination came after the Bahamas issued an emergency order barring cruise ships from entering the country's ports beginning on September 3, 2021, unless all passengers over the age of 12 had been vaccinated. This decision also applied to departures from all Atlantic and Gulf homeports. Additionally, the CDC sent a letter to cruise industry operators outlining the steps cruise companies must follow to set sail, including the requirement for the majority of people on board to be fully vaccinated.
To board a Carnival cruise ship, vaccinated guests must provide proof that their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine was received at least 14 days before the beginning of the cruise. A booster dose is required for guests 18 and older if the last COVID-19 vaccine dose is older than 9 months from the date of disembarkation. At terminal check-in, guests must also provide proof of a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken before or at embarkation.
It is important to note that the requirements for cruise ships to enter ports outside the U.S. continue to evolve, and Carnival Cruise Line must operate in compliance with these regulations. Therefore, it is recommended to check for the most up-to-date information regarding proof of vaccination requirements for passengers over 12 before embarking on a Carnival cruise.
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Negative COVID-19 test results also needed
As of 2021, Carnival Cruise Line required all passengers aged 12 and over to be fully vaccinated before boarding cruises in Texas, despite state guidelines barring "vaccine passports". The CDC approved Carnival cruises from Florida and Texas during the summer of 2021, with the requirement that at least 95% of passengers be fully vaccinated. However, it is unclear whether Carnival currently requires passengers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination.
In 2021, Carnival required passengers to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test along with proof of vaccination. The test could be either a PCR or an antigen test and had to be taken before or at embarkation. Children under 2 years of age were exempt from these testing and vaccination requirements. Children aged 2 to 4 were required to undergo pre-travel testing, including a PCR test within 3 days of embarkation, plus an antigen test at the terminal. For voyages that began, ended, or visited Canada, all guests aged 5 and above were required to present a medically observed negative viral COVID-19 test taken before boarding.
Carnival Cruise Line has stated that it is committed to complying with the latest CDC guidelines and the requirements of its destinations. The CDC recommends that vaccinated guests have received their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before the cruise and provide proof at terminal check-in. A booster dose is required for guests 18 and older if the last COVID-19 vaccine dose is older than 9 months from the date of disembarkation. Unvaccinated guests are also welcome, with specific protocols in place.
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Exemptions for children under 12 and unvaccinated adults
Carnival Cruise Line has adjusted its policy regarding unvaccinated guests sailing from Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports. From August 28 onwards, only children under 12 and adults with a medical condition that prohibits their vaccination are exempt from vaccination requirements for departures from Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports. This means that unvaccinated adults with a medical condition that prevents them from getting vaccinated can sail on Carnival cruises, albeit with some restrictions.
To be exempt, children under 12 must present a birth certificate or passport at check-in, along with an exemption approval letter from Carnival. Unvaccinated adults must provide a letter from a medical provider stating that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, as well as the exemption approval letter. These exemptions are not guaranteed and are based on capacity limits, with a limit of 5% unvaccinated passengers.
Unvaccinated guests granted an exemption must follow certain protocols, including presenting a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken between 72 and 24 hours before the sailing date. They may also only debark in ports of call if booked on a Carnival-sponsored bubble tour, which operates in a controlled environment with no unscheduled stops. Unvaccinated children, along with their vaccinated families, must purchase a shore excursion to go onshore, except for at private ports of call, such as Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays, where they can go ashore on their own.
It is important to note that these policies may change, and guests should refer to the latest updates from Carnival Cruise Line for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding exemptions and requirements for unvaccinated children under 12 and unvaccinated adults.
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CDC guidelines: 95% of crew and passengers vaccinated
The CDC has issued guidelines for cruise ships to help them get back to sailing safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the guidelines states that 98% of crew and 95% of passengers must be vaccinated against COVID-19. This means that almost all individuals on board must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination. For example, Carnival Cruise Line has implemented a mandate requiring 100% of crew members and 95% of passengers over 12 to be fully vaccinated.
The CDC's guidelines also include testing and face-mask requirements. Vaccinated guests must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) and proof of vaccination at terminal check-in. The final vaccine dose must have been received at least 14 days before the cruise, and a booster dose is recommended for those eligible. Additionally, specific destinations may have their own requirements, so it is essential for guests to review the necessary documentation before their voyage.
It is important to note that the risk of transmitting COVID-19 on cruise ships can never be eliminated, but the CDC's guidelines aim to mitigate this risk. The cruise industry has been significantly impacted by the pandemic, and these protocols are designed to allow cruise lines to resume operations safely. While some controversy surrounds vaccine mandates, the CDC and cruise lines are working together to prioritize the health and safety of passengers and crew.
As of May 2022, Carnival had docked two of its ships at the Port of Galveston, with plans to start sailing as early as July. While Carnival has not explicitly confirmed whether proof of vaccination is required, they have highlighted the CDC's guidelines and their commitment to following health and safety protocols. Therefore, it is likely that proof of vaccination will be necessary for Carnival cruises, in line with the CDC's recommendations and the industry's efforts to mitigate the risks associated with cruising during the pandemic.
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Proof of vaccination not required on all cruise lines
As of 2021, some cruise lines did not require proof of vaccination for their passengers. For instance, despite a Florida law that banned companies from demanding proof of vaccination, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings sued and won the right to require all guests and crew to be fully vaccinated. Similarly, Royal Caribbean updated its vaccination policy to comply with the Bahamas order, which required all passengers over 12 to be vaccinated.
Carnival Cruise Line, on the other hand, initially stated that it was unclear whether they would require proof of vaccination from their passengers. However, they later announced that they would require vaccination proof for all passengers over 12, with exceptions for those with medical issues. This decision was made to comply with the regulations of the ports they intended to visit, such as the Bahamas, which had issued an emergency order barring unvaccinated individuals from entering the country's ports.
It is important to note that these policies may have changed since their implementation in 2021 and that cruise lines are continually adapting their health and safety protocols in response to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is always advisable to refer to the official websites and guidelines of the specific cruise lines for the most up-to-date information regarding their vaccination requirements and other relevant health protocols.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Carnival Cruise Line passengers must be fully vaccinated before boarding cruises in Texas, Florida and the Bahamas, despite state guidelines barring "vaccine passports". You must show proof that it has been at least 14 days since your final recommended dose of the coronavirus vaccine.
Original proof of vaccination means a vaccination card that clearly shows the guest’s name, which matches their photo ID, the dates the vaccine doses were given, and the name of the facility administering the vaccination.
Children under 12 do not need to be vaccinated to board a Carnival cruise. Children aged 2 to 4 are welcome to cruise and can either present proof of vaccination or will need a PCR within 3 days plus an antigen test at the terminal. Kids under 2 have no vaccination or test requirements.
