An Up-to-Date Look at Cruise Ship Sailing Protocols

With so many rules and regulations changing surrounding COVID-19 it can be hard to keep track. This is especially true of the cruise industry as many major cruise lines have begun rolling out lots of big changes. Here’s what you need to know about some of the top cruise lines and where they stand on vaccination requirements, testing and masking as of early September 2022.

Image from Carnival

Carnival

Carnival’s “Have Fun. Be Safe.” protocols were recently updated to reflect the ever-evolving COVID-19 health situation. On August 24th, 2022, the cruise line announced that it planned to implement new guidelines effective for cruises on and after September 6, 2022, with the goal of making it easier for more guests to sail.

Vaccination and Testing

According to the new policy, guests who are fully vaccinated (those who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to embarkation) are not required to provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen test — with the exception of cruises that are 16 nights or longer or by the requirement of a destination. Alternatively, travelers who are not fully vaccinated or who are unvaccinated will need to present a negative PCR or antigen test result within three days of sailing or when requested by a destination.

Masking and Social Distancing

Carnival still recommends that travelers wear face masks indoors and when gathering for large events outdoors where social distancing recommendations cannot be maintained. Additionally, Carnival recommends masking throughout the embarkation and debarkation process and while riding on public transportation in a U.S. port.

Check out Carnival's full list of Have Fun. Be Safe. protocols here.

Image from Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises

In a recent press release, Celebrity Cruises shared its plans to nix vaccination requirements and simplify testing guidelines for travelers sailing from U.S. and European ports beginning on September 5, 2022.

President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said the following regarding the changes, “A new world is waiting and I’m thrilled to now more closely align our operations with the rest of the travel industry and open up opportunities for everyone to explore, once again. Travel is making its grand comeback and we’re looking forward to the continued momentum from consumers around the world.”

Vaccination and Testing

Beginning early this month, fully vaccinated guests will no longer need to test to board sailings that last nine nights or less except for those visiting Canada and Bermuda. Unvaccinated travelers are also invited to sail with Celebrity Cruises and will be asked to provide a negative, self-administered test result prior to boarding (excluding sailings visiting Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Greece and New Zealand). Children ages five and under sailing from the U.S. and travelers under 12 years old sailing from Europe will not be required to test before boarding.

Masking and Social Distancing

Masks are optional onboard all Celebrity Cruises ships. However, the company still recommends that unvaccinated travelers don either a cloth or a disposable mask. Upon entering their stateroom, travelers will discover a welcome kit, each of which is equipped with a mask for each traveler and a hand sanitizer for the room. However, travelers should note that guests are still encouraged to pack their own masks as they are required in terminals and are sometimes required onshore.

Regional Requirements  

While Celebrity Cruises is loosening its rules, destinations throughout the world are still following strict testing rules that travelers must abide by. Ports in Australia, Canada and New Zealand require everyone ages 12 and up to be fully vaccinated. Furthermore, the Galapagos Islands require travelers ages three and up to be fully vaccinated.

Travelers can find detailed information regarding these protocols on the Country Travel Requirements page of Celebrity Cruises’ Healthy At Sea webpage.

Discover more about Celebrity Cruises’ U.S. travel requirements here.

Image from Margaritaville at Sea

Margaritaville at Sea

As of September 6th, 2022, all guests can sail with Margaritaville at Sea Paradise regardless of their vaccination status. While these changes welcome more travelers, the cruise line is quick to call out that it will continue to operate highly vaccinated cruises from the Port of Palm Beach and will continue to keep a close watch on the latest CDC guidelines to ensure everyone enjoys a safe and healthy vacation.

Vaccination and Testing

Like other cruise lines, testing will not be required for vaccinated guests, however, guests must show proof of vaccination in the form of an original vaccination card or a paper or electronic copy. Unvaccinated travelers ages five and up will be required to provide a negative antigen, PCR or NAAT test result no more than three days before sailing.

Note — testing will no longer be available at the Margaritaville at Sea terminal.

Entry to The Bahamas

Travelers must follow all local laws, rules and regulations when visiting Grand Bahama Island including guidelines surrounding masking and social distancing. When in doubt, travelers can turn to their local guide for guidance on when and where a mask may be required.

Read Margaritaville at Sea’s fully updated travel policy here.

Image from MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises recently revealed its plans to update its health and safety protocols for U.S. residents on cruises departing from U.S. ports to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. The changes that were first implemented on September 1st, 2022 are as follows.

Vaccination and Testing

While the cruise line still recommends all U.S. residents be fully vaccinated and tested prior to departure, MSC Cruises will no longer require vaccination to sail. Similarly, pre-cruise testing is still recommended but will not be required for those who are fully vaccinated though travelers should note that proof of vaccination is needed to bypass this step. Unvaccinated travelers will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test (NAAT or antigen) within three days of embarkation. 

Non-U.S. residents sailing with MSC have special requirements and guests ages 12 and older will need to be fully vaccinated. As for testing, guests ages two and up will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test three days before embarkation regardless of their vaccination status.

Masking and Social Distancing 

Guests abroad all MSC Cruises will not be required to wear masks or to follow social distancing practices unless required by local regulation at public ports of call.

Image from NCLH

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

In an August 2022 press release, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) announced several modifications to its SailSAFE health and safety protocols effective as of September 3rd, 2022.

Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive office of NCLH said the following regarding the changes, “Our long-awaited revisions to our testing and vaccination requirements bring us closer in line with the rest of society, which has learned to adapt and live with COVID-19 and makes it simpler and easier for our loyal guests to cruise on our three best-in-class brands. Health and safety is our top priority and we will continue to modify our robust SailSAFE program as the public health environment evolves.”

Vaccination and Testing

Vaccinated guests ages 12 and older are no longer required to partake in any pre-cruise COVID-19-related protocols. Unvaccinated guests ages 12 and older and those who decline to provide proof of vaccination will now be asked to present a negative medically administered test (PCR or antigen) less than 72 hours before boarding.

NCLH makes a point to say that vaccinated guests must, “meet the generally-accepted definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ based on the destination they are embarking and/or traveling to and must provide proof of vaccination.”

Masking and Social Distancing

Masks are optional on all NCLH sailings.

Read the full details NCLH’s SailSAFE program here.

Riviera River Cruises

Unlike many other major cruise lines, Riviera River Cruises is continuing to practice an abundance of caution surrounding its COVID-19 guidelines and regulations.

Vaccination and Testing

All travelers sailing with Riviera River Cruises must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 with the second dose administered a minimum of seven days prior to travel. Additionally, all guests are asked to fill out a pre-travel questionnaire confirming proof of vaccination. Testing is also required, and travelers are asked to take an appropriate test before departure for which Riviera River Cruises will provide in-depth test-taking details closer to embarkation. 

Masking and Social Distancing

Riviera River Cruises follows current social distancing regulations and guidelines throughout each cruise including during the embarkation process. Travelers can also expect to find hand sanitizer throughout the ship for the duration of their vacation.

Read more about Riviera River Cruises’ COVID-19 FAQs here.

Image from Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean International

As of September 5th, 2022, unvaccinated guests who meet the testing requirements to board can join most Royal Caribbean sailings excluding itineraries in Canada and Bermuda. As rules vary from sailing to sailing, regional protocols are confirmed via email and on the Royal Caribbean website within 30 days of embarkation. If protocols change and travelers are unable to travel, they will be moved to a different itinerary where their vaccination status is accepted or be refunded.

Vaccination and Testing

Moving forward, vaccinated travelers will no longer need to take a pre-cruise test for cruises shorter than 10 nights. On the flip side, unvaccinated guests ages five and up will need to test three days prior to boarding, regardless of their cruise length. 

Masking and Social Distancing

Masks are optional for vaccinated travelers aboard Royal Caribbean and are recommended for those who are unvaccinated. Onshore, masks are optional at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee and visitors are encouraged to follow local guidelines at public ports of call.

Get all the deets from Royal Caribbean’s Healthy Sail Center here.

Image from Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages

The crew over at Virgin Voyages encourages travelers to “Voyage Well” with flexible booking options, rigorous safety protocols and a prorated Voyage Credit for sailors impacted by potential COVID-related cases who might need to spend some extra time on the ship. That being said, the cruise line did make some changes to its COVID-19 protocols back in July 2022.

Vaccination and Testing

On any given Virgin Voyages sailing, the roster will consist of 90% vaccinated Sailors and of 10% unvaccinated Sailors. Since the number is so limited, unvaccinated Sailors should call or email Sailor Services for assistance booking their stay at help@virginvoyages.com. Additionally, unvaccinated Sailors should plan to bring a negative COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours before embarkation or they can pay a $30 fee at the terminal for a same-day rapid test. 

Masking and Social Distancing

Face coverings are no longer required on board, but they may be necessary during embark and disembarkation in COVID-19 testing sites, on shuttle buses and in terminal buildings. Virgin Voyages has plenty of masks on-hand upon request and they may be required at various ports depending upon local government guidelines.