Lyan Sierra-Caro, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean International, said the plans to require passengers be vaccinated that the company submitted to the CDC only applied to its test cruises. Passengers who didn't voluntarily show proof of vaccination, either because they weren't vaccinated (primarily children, according to Royal Caribbean executives) or didn't have their vaccine cards, were directed to a testing area. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs new cruise newsletter. Wristbands were also diligently checked in spaces intended for vaccinated cruisers. Since then, more itineraries opened up to unvaccinated cruisers. Mexico Plans on Increasing Protocols for Incoming Tourists, Could This Ron DeSantis maintains a threat of fines under an executive order banning "vaccine passports." More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers on Board, 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, Anguilla Just Dropped Its Pre-arrival Testing for Vaccinated Travelers What to Know, 10 of the Best Mediterranean Cruises for Every Type of Traveler, New Zealand Eliminates Vaccine, Testing Requirements for Travel What to Know, The CDC Will No Longer Report COVID-19 Cases on Cruises to the Public. Related: Will I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? Royal Caribbean's Covid Testing and Vaccination Rules - TheStreet Royal Caribbean cruises are back but vaccinations will be optional. Vaccinated vs. unvaccinated: Two different experiences on Royal Of all the new health protocols and changes, perhaps no single rule is as hotly debated right now as if cruise lines, Norwegian Cruise Line announced on Tuesday it will extend its cruise cancellations through the end of September (minus, Two crew members from Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas were evacuated off Oasis of the Seas in Port Everglades on, If you own Royal Caribbean stock, today is a great start to your portfolio for the week.Royal Caribbean, and the entire, Royal Caribbean's recent filingwith the SEC indicates it has taken advantageof$3.48 billion in backup financing, Taking a test for COVID-19 before you get on a Royal Caribbean cruise might be one of the many steps the cruise line. As cruises drop vaccine rules, they're seeing 'huge spike' in bookings The CDC dropped its cruise covid-19 reporting program last month, prompting cruise lines to announce they would loosen testing requirements for vaccinated passengers and in most cases . As a side note, the ship's Windjammer buffet was not open for dinner during the sailing. Royal Caribbean won't require COVID-19 vaccination to - New York Post "Lindblad Expeditions has announced that effective March 1, 2022, all guests 12 years of age and over who completed their primary vaccination series more than 5 months ago, are required to present proof of booster prior to embarkation," the cruise line said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. Feel free to visitourFAQsfor full details on vaccination requirements. Royal Caribbean International will no longer require its cruise passengers to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as it had previously planned to. Like what you see? The new Florida law can leave businesses like cruise ship lines caught between a rock and a hard place. This protocol will go into place starting Aug. 8. 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. 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. "Due to evolving health protocols, imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. Royal Caribbean Updates COVID-19 Testing Policy for - Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Cov. Instead, Odyssey will begin her inaugural season out of a new homeport, Haifa, Israel from June to October 2021. Royal Caribbean Cruises will now allow non-vaccinated passengers after 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. Boarding Requirements FAQ | Royal Caribbean Cruises While there, I noticed most of the passengers in this area were parents with young children. Thats
The company had originally required guests 18 years and older to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and provide proof of vaccination to board their ships. This will continue to evolve as new research and technology becomes available," the spokesperson added. Of course, nothing is foolproof: Royal Caribbean recently canceled the first sailings of its newest ship, Odyssey of the Seas, after eight crew members tested positive for Covid; six were. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Credit card showdown: Alaska Airlines Visa vs. Alaska Airlines Business Visa, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know, 21 new Hyatt hotels where you can get 500 extra points per night. The cruise company's new sailings from the Bahamas will require all adult guests "to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and more to drop vaccination requirements for select sailings. Related: Cruise hack: 6 ways to turn a voyage on a mass-market ship into a luxury experience. This includes vaccination of all crew and keeping them up to date with boosters when eligible, routine surveillance of all crew, enhanced testing and treatment capabilities in our onboard medical centers, and much more. 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. 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. Rather, we focus on discussions related to local stories by our own staff. As part of the Australian Federal and State Government protocols all
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. 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. Royal Caribbean wont require passengers to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 on select sailings beginning in September. That appears to no longer be the case as the federal agency has shown: As of July 18, 2022, CDCs COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships is no longer in effect. Editorial disclaimer: 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. What the CDC Decision Means for Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruisers Carnival Cruise Line COVID-19 vaccines no longer will be required for Celebrity sailings from European countries with the exception of Iceland and sailings from . I noticed that the areas reserved for vaccinated passengers were rarely, if ever, crowded. Florida's ban on vaccination proof requirements complicates U.S. cruise When Will Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian End Vaccine Mandate In the testing area, they were each given an on-site rapid antigen test. An attendant who was monitoring the entrance told me they were passengers waiting for their test results. A line-by-line guide. 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? The graphic below, produced by Statista, illustrates countries with the most COVID-19 vaccine doses administered per 100,000 people. 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. Royal Caribbean International has announced plans to begin sailing six of its cruise ships out of southern U.S. ports this July and August. A Royal Caribbean-owned cruise line just announced a vaccine Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. As Taylor Doven reported for the Miami Herald, Royal Carribean issued a statement on Friday that said, Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible. Guests who are fully vaccinated or age 17 and younger do not have any testing requirements. You can follow her daily exploits, both at sea and on land, on Instagram or Twitter @slyjabroni. Travel agents and guests were notified of the change in policy. Get todays headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. That's because testing two days before is at best imperfect and it may not have done much to stop covid from spreading. 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.