Update on Vaccination Requirements for Cruise Lines

Hello, Mousekefriends! We’ve been keeping you up since the beginning, with mask and vaccination updates, and we won’t be stopping now! As you may know, some cruise lines are starting to change their vaccination requirements, or drop them altogether. Let’s take a look at those Cruise Lines who are joining the ever-growing group. 

Update on Vaccination Requirements for Disney Cruise Line

This morning, Disney joined the growing group of Cruise Lines who are changing their vaccination and testing requirements for Covid-19. The e-mail states:

All of us at Disney Cruise Line look forward to welcoming you aboard soon. We are reaching out with important updates to the COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for your sailing. 

Beginning September 2, 2022, for sailings departing U.S. and Canadian ports, Disney Cruise Line will only require Guests ages 12 and older to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In consideration of CDC guidance, Disney Cruise Line highly recommends that Guests ages 11 and younger be fully vaccinated before sailing.

As a reminder, for sailings departing U.S. and Canadian ports before September 2, 2022, Disney Cruise Line will still require Guests ages 5 and older to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing, as defined by the CDC.”

What does this mean?

Starting on September 2nd, the current vaccination requirement will move from age 5 and up, to age 12 and up. If you are sailing before this date, you must still adhere to previous guidelines. If someone under 12 is not vaccinated, or fully vaccinated starting September 2nd, you must have a negative covid NAAT or PCR test 1-3 days before sailing. You can learn more about what this means here.

Update on Royal Caribbean Requirements

Caribbean Cruise Line put out a statement late last week stating:

Starting with September 5th departures, all travelers regardless of vaccination status can cruise on the following itineraries, as long as they meet any testing requirements to board.

Testing Requirements are: Guests 2 to 11 years of age who are not fully vaccinated must bring a negative test result for a COVID-19 antigen or PCR test. This must be taken within the 3 days before boarding day, regardless of the duration of their cruise. These guests will no longer be required to take a second test at the terminal.  

Fully vaccinated guests must bring a negative test result for a COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken within the 3 days before boarding day on sailings that are 6 nights or longer only. Testing is not required for fully vaccinated guests on shorter itineraries.

Required testing for all guests, regardless of vaccination status, must be completed using a PCR or antigen test that is supervised by a healthcare professional or a home test kit that is conducted under live video supervision.

Tests must be arranged on your own and are at your own expense.”

What does this mean?

Cruises from the following ports will be following these new guidelines, starting September 5th:

  • Los Angeles, California
  • Galveston, Texas
  • New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Cruises from a European Homeport

Update on Norwegian Cruise Line Requirements

Norwegian also released a statement late last week, which stated: 

Key fleetwide protocols changes, subject to local regulations, effective September 3, 2022 include:

  • Vaccinated guests aged 12 and older will no longer have any pre-cruise COVID-19 related protocols
  • Unvaccinated guests, aged 12 and older, or those who cannot or decline to provide proof of vaccination, will need to present a negative medically administered PCR or Antigen COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to boarding
  • Guests aged 11 and under will not be subject to vaccination requirements or testing protocols of any kind
  • 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

What does this mean?

Starting on September 3rd, vaccination requirements will be dropped for all guests. If you are not vaccinated, or decline to provide proof of vaccination, you will need to provide a negative covid test within 72 hours of boarding. 

For Up-To-Date Information

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