does royal caribbean require covid vaccine does royal caribbean require covid vaccine

Time is running out on free COVID tests and vaccines; what then. I just disembarked Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, the line's first cruise ship to sail from a U.S. port in more than 15 months. Royal Caribbean has made it a practice to provide periodic . Health, Travel & Risk Acknowledgement. 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. 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. 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. Signage was almost over-the-top prevalent to remind passengers to stay socially distant, sanitize their hands and wear a mask. Why the change in Royal Caribbean policy? These new sailings are available for residents of Israel only.". When I reached the third floor on my way to the gangway, I passed by a small waiting area with several groups of bored-looking people. (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. Now, its not clear whether the unvaccinated half may be more or less likely to ride cruise ships. "Silversea will continue to work closely with relevant governing bodies and health authorities to evolve its health and safety procedures, as new health recommendations are issued and as the fluid situation advances.". Or do we need the physical card? The company said all crew members will be vaccinated. Charleston. 2023 TheStreet, Inc. All rights reserved. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. We didn't need a card at all because for the most part they don't require masks anymore. Enrollment required. 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. On May 26, the cruise line updated its website to say that passengers 16 years old and older on its cruises from Seattle and The Bahamas are required to be vaccinated. Cov. Starting Thursday, Carnival Cruise Line announced, fully vaccinated passengers will not need to take a test before boarding if the trip is . ", The cruise industry came to a halt last year amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Speaking to Newsweek, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean said that "vaccinations will be required for the upcoming sailings from [the] Bahamas and St. 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. Royal Caribbean reversed course on its vaccine policy last week, making the jab optional for most of its cruises after the company initially planned to require it. The CDC has dropped its voluntary program to monitor cruise ships. Passenger operations continue to be suspended during the initial phases of this Order. All Guests, All Aboard," Royal Caribbean's President and CEO Michael Bayley wrote on Facebook. How do you count the 14 days for full vaccination, exactly? American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Cruises from Australia are also not included in this policy change. That's because testing two days before is at best imperfect and it may not have done much to stop covid from spreading. Its difficult to tell. By contrast, you cant really tell whether someone has been vaccinated unless you actually see that persons Covid-19 Vaccination Record Card and somehow verify that its not a fake. Travelers to be Screened for COVID-19. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the company said in a statement. 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. 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. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. While there, I noticed most of the passengers in this area were parents with young children. The first to set sail will be the Freedom of the Seas ship out of Miami, Florida, on July 2. These may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice. The line's decision to sail less than 95% vaccinated (which requires each ship sailing from the U.S. to complete test voyages under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's supervision) means that there are restrictions on board. The test cruises will show whether ships can sail safely and follow CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. The summer cruises announced by Royal Caribbean International Friday are still pending approval from the CDC after each ship successfully completes a test cruise with volunteer passengers. 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. On the other hand, a single Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak can end up costing a cruise ship company a whole lot, including reputational damage. News 6 is Getting Results. 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. Previously, the website said passengers 16 years old and older on all of the companys U.S. cruises had to meet the requirement. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. During one performance, I went to the theater's upper level (where anyone, including unvaccinated passengers, was able to sit) to see what it was like. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images), Royal Caribbean International has announced. That means, as of July 1, the Florida state government could . If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. Coronavirus has infected more than 123.3 million people, including over 29.8 million in the U.S., since it was first reported in Wuhan, China. The 14 day time period starts the day you get your last dose. Instead, Odyssey will begin her inaugural season out of a new homeport, Haifa, Israel from June to October 2021. 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. "We want you to be more comfortable. With NewsGuard's HealthGuard browser extension, users can verify if a website is a trustworthy source of health information. Strongly recommended is certainly different from required. No Covid test, proof of vaccination or quarantine is required. Our intention is to comply with all federal, state and local laws, she said via email. The cruise line Royal Caribbean is requiring passengers and crew members 16 or older . If they are more likely, then you could easily end up on a ship where less than half of the passengers are fully vaccinated. #BoycottRC." That was about three weeks ago (June 28) and the CDC ruling suggests that the testing requirement could change in August, but almost certainly will by September. Well, heres what Dolven tweeted: Apparently, Dolven is referring to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signing into law a ban on Covid-19 vaccine passports. That means, as of July 1, the Florida state government could fine a cruise ship operator $5,000 each and every time the cruise ship operator requires proof of vaccination to use their services. Under the voluntary program, the CDC had been tracking covid levels on ships, assigning color levels based on positive tests and exposures. Interestingly, certain shows -- such as the ice show in Studio B -- required reservations due to their lower capacity. 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. Royal Caribbean will require vaccinated guests 5 and older to take a pre-cruise test on sailings from the U.S . The Miami Herald reported that Royal Caribbean International previously planned to only allow vaccinated passengers onto its ships, but announced in a Friday press release that they were. The cruise line will still require unvaccinated guests and vaccinated guests embarking on cruises six nights or longer, to take a COVID-19 test within three days of their departure date. We would appreciate if you could take a moment to provide your COVID-19 vaccination status ahead of your cruise. 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. #BoycottRC pic.twitter.com/5xSNzyz0It. All rights reserved. | Become a News 6 Insider (its free!)]. Richard Fain, chief executive of Royal Caribbean, told . 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. 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. Day 1. 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. says. Royal Caribbean International has announced it won't require US passengers to get vaccinated to go on several ships set to sail this summer. I noticed that the areas reserved for vaccinated passengers were rarely, if ever, crowded. Unfortunately, the announcement didn't come in time for this voyage. Please review this document and acknowledge acceptance via the tick The post has had over 7,200 likes since it was first shared on Monday. Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty spoke about the change during an earnings call with investors earlier this year and said the change is a move to be more like other forms of leisure travel, such as theme parks, casinos, or air travel. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. The Miami-based operator. I will not do business with anyone requiring a vaccine," in a post that received over 130 likes since it was first shared. No, you need to bring the card. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - Royal Caribbean clarified its vaccine policy this week, stating that it will require certain guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on cruises departing. 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. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. This bracelet allowed me to access areas of the ship reserved for vaccinated passengers. 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. It will be a requirement that cruise lines will happily comply with as most already require a vaccine mandate and . 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. Currently the CDC recommends that "all people avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide, because the risk of COVID-19 on cruise ships is very high. updated guidance from the major cruise line. 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. Carnival, Royal Caribbean cruises loosen coronavirus testing rules Norwegian's moves to loosen pandemic-era protocols follow similar decisions by industry leaders Carnival and Royal. Royal Caribbean Will Not Allow Any Unvaccinated Guests Worldwide According to the statement made by Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean will not be allowing any guests onboard who have not been. Currently, Celebrity requires all guests 12 and older to be fully vaccinated to sail. Royal Caribbean recommends guests be fully vaccinated and boostered against Covid19. Regardless of the port location, guests will have to show proof of full vaccination, completed at least 14 days before the cruise departs. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Please complete the short form below. . Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. ", Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion, Quantum of the Seas: "Alaska sailings departing April 5 to October 14, 2021: In order to allow additional time for our preparation, Quantum of the Seas will remain in the Asia-Pacific region. Silversea currently requires all guests to have received their second vaccine shot, or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, at least two weeks before their sail date. 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? Royal Caribbean expects to require its crew members to receive the vaccine before sailings return, a spokesperson told Insider. At this checkpoint, an agent told me that if I wanted to present a vaccine card, that was the time to do so. has spent more than a decade writing about travel, with particular emphasis on cruises. ", "This means that we're transitioning to the point where everyone will be able to vacation with us while always working with our destination partners to meet their regulations.". This insurance would cover the cost of repatriation on a private charter flight and/or medical care if they tested positive during the sailing. But all the major cruise lines that sailed from the U.S. opted into the CDC program. Caribbean. Learn more. 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 . Learn more. The major cruise line previously mandated the covid vaccine for crew members only. Unvaccinated guests will be allowed to use the results of a self-administered test if taken within three days of sailing. Additionally, Celebrity Cruises will allow unvaccinated travelers starting Sept. 5 on all cruises that depart from a U.S. or European port, excluding cruises that visit Canada, according to the company. Currently, the company requires all guests to "be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before sailing with all required COVID-19 vaccine doses" and "strongly" recommends guests receive the booster shot. A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. These Countries Require It for Entry, Where Can Americans Travel Right Now? User @joanwetz agreed with the boycott, noting: "I am. 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For customers looking to board Lindblad for an adventure cruise, they will need to abide by the new regulations in place. Regardless of the rules, passengers are sure to have a good time. The tweet received at least 145 likes since it was first posted. On all itineraries departing Sept. 6 or later vaccinated guests will not need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test except on cruises 16 days or longer, according to Carnival. regardless of vaccination status, can cruise on the . "Two is terrible. The CDC has so far approved nine cruise ships, including Freedom of the Seas, Carnival Horizon and MSC Meraviglia from PortMiami, for test cruises, meaning the ships wont meet a CDC threshold of 95% of passengers and 98% of crew be vaccinated, and two ships Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Equinox from Port Everglades for revenue cruises. Unvaccinated passengers can cruise with negative results from any commercially available test, including self-tests. Watch News 6 as they cover breaking local, regional, and national news, plus the latest updates on weather, traffic and sports. Plus Ups are excluded. Carnival will follow with the same at-home test allowance on Sept. 6. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Carnival Cruise Line "The no vaccine question is is a huge question that none of us know the answer to," Bayley said. 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. Further, the onboard mask rules were confusing. Travel agents and guests were notified of the change in policy. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images), Florida Gov. Royal Caribbean has greatly relaxed its covid rules. This decision seems shocking only because the CDC, at least during the period where the cruise industry was shut down from U.S. ports, seemed to have an adversarial relationship with the companies it regulated. Royal Caribbean sister brand Celebrity Cruises made a similar announcement about its COVID-19 vaccine policy late Wednesday, removing its vaccine requirement effective Sept. 5 for some but not all sailings. "Boosters can be received any time prior to embarkation. Airplanes, theme parks, casinos, and hotels no longer require any such Covid protocols and have not had any requirements for months. 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. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. When you strongly recommend that proper clothing be worn to a business meeting, technically that slingshot mankini is still fair game. Wristbands were also diligently checked in spaces intended for vaccinated cruisers. Without very high vaccination rates among passengers and crew members, it can be difficult for a cruise ship to prevent the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) once the virus has made it on board. After all, enormous amounts of open space may not be the first thing that you think of when it comes to cruise ships. The new protocols will not apply to cruises that visit Bermuda or Canada where testing and vaccine rules will still apply. Lindblad, Silversea, Azamara cruise lines will require the additional COVID-19 vaccine dose for those eligible starting March 1. The cruise line's vaccine mandate will apply to guests who are at least 16 years old aboard ships sailing from the US or the Bahamas, according to Royal Caribbean's frequently asked questions page. Hawaii. This is one of many changes in Royal Caribbean's approach to Covid-19, which has steadily seen health protocols erode in order to be closer to other forms of leisure travel. Travelers looking to set sail with Viking Cruises must take a COVID-19 PCR laboratory test before leaving their home country 72 hours prior to departure of the first flight, or 24 hours before with a laboratory certified antigen test. Over the past few months that program became voluntary and masks went away while other restrictions eased. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters, An aerial view of Royal Caribbeans Navigator of the Sea cruise ship docked in Miami, Florida on March 2. Many cruise fans and potential passengers may expect that this CDC decision means that vaccine requirements and precruise testing may soon go away. Azamara will require all vaccinated guests to show proof they have received a booster in March. Requiring passengers to be fully vaccinated would be one of the best ways of preventing an outbreak. Visitors must still fill out a health screening form prior to arrival. You can follow her daily exploits, both at sea and on land, on Instagram or Twitter @slyjabroni. Following August 1, this age requirement will fall to 12 years old or older. Visit the Newsweek VaxFacts website to learn more and to download the HealthGuard browser extension. Offers may be subject to change without notice. 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. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. The announcement of these select vaccinated cruises later resulted in boycott demands in late March across Facebook and Twitter. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Get ready for cruise ships carrying people who are not vaccinated against Covid-19. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. It felt normal in many ways, but compared to two other recent cruises I took, it was a bit more controlled. Like Norwegian which also mandated the COVID-19 vaccine in April this request for proof of the vaccine could setRoyal Caribbean up for a skirmish with Florida, which has already barred vaccine passports and local businesses from requiring them. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and more to drop vaccination requirements for select sailings. Additionally -- following the first departure of Adventure of the Seas two weeks ago when two teenagers tested positive and were flown home at Royal Caribbean's expense -- unvaccinated cruisers had to purchase special travel insurance. The Seattle Times does not append comment threads to stories from wire services such as the Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post or Bloomberg News. Maarten.". This protocol will go into place starting Aug. 8. - As of the winter 2022 Caribbean and Central America season, Star Clippers no longer requires COVID-19 vaccinations for passengers. Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise. 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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. But at the time, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said these boycott demands were based on a "misconception.". While vaccination is not required, they kindly ask passengers to disclose their vaccine status during check-in. The travel company announced on Friday that an additional six ships will resume trips from US ports in Florida and Texas starting in July and August. 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. Unvaccinated travelers (who are 5 and older on most U.S. sailings and 12 and older on select European sailings) will be required to get tested within three days of boarding. 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. I will be boycotting the company instead. starts on October 1st, and you would be permitted to board the ship on With few exceptions, Royal Caribbean has dropped its pre-cruise testing requirements across the board.