Royal Caribbean also said it will continue to maintain a high percentage of fully vaccinated guests, and crew members will continue to be fully vaccinated and boosted as well as tested regularly when eligible. By clicking Sign Up, you also agree to marketing emails from both Insider and Morning Brew; and you accept Insiders. Royal Caribbean won't require COVID-19 vaccination to ride cruises If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. "If they are not sailing this year I would assume that lots of cruise operators go into insolvency and then it is decisive which brand is the strongest," she says. 2023 BBC. This comes more than a week after Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed its voluntary COVID-19 reporting program for cruise ships on July 18. Royal Caribbean Vaccine Requirement Update. Royal Caribbean has announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for guests. With the Bahamas requiring all cruise passengers 12 years old and over to be fully vaccinated, Royal Caribbean has updated its protocols for September. Royal Caribbean drops vaccine requirement for certain cruise ship "The combination of the vaccines and testing and contact tracing, all these kinds of protocols really helps us reach our objective, which is to make cruising safer than in your home community," Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean's CEO, told the BBC. Bahamas and Caribbean cruises that leave from Florida ports the busiest in the world still have vaccine rules in place. Norwegian Cruise Line, which has not been approved to restart, has said it will initially require everyone on board to be vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has kept cruise lines from U.S. sailings since March 2020, has recommended that passengers, crew and port workers be vaccinated. "We think it's enough to see us through during these terrible times," says Mr Fain. On July 3, the Odyssey of the Seas will sail from Fort Lauderdale on 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises, followed by sailings out of Port Canaveral, Seattle, and Galveston later in the summer. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOW WATCH: This is what it takes to be a cruise ship performer. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. 1. Royal Caribbean is not responsible for any travel-related expenses incurred by you or members of your traveling party should your request be denied. The unvaccinated guest will receive a full refund after cancellation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended all passengers and crew get the jab before boarding, said vaccinated passengers can potentially ditch their masks, and waived the need for volunteer test sailings for cruise companies where 98% of crew and 95% of passengers are fully vaccinated. 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. Regardless of the port location, guests will have to show proof of full vaccination, completed at least 14 days before the cruise departs. Medical Requests: For your request to be considered by our medical team, a letter from a physician is required. We recommend that you check with your health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. Share. Follow her adventures on Instagram. Norwegian, Cunard and more end pre-cruise COVID testing - USA Today Before joining the News 6 team, Samantha was a political reporter for The Villages Daily Sun and has had freelance work featured in the Evansville Courier-Press and The Community Paper. Travel tips you can trust. The measures from the Bahamas will be welcome news for many guests that have indicated they would rather sail with a fully vaccinated group of guests. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. The Checkup With Dr. Wen: Who should get a second bivalent booster? Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean became the latest companies to announce that passengers would be required to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination in order to board their cruises. Adults have needed to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise on all of its itineraries around the world. Monique Giese, who tracks the shipping industry for the consultancy KPMG says it's important for the industry that cruise ships do get back to sea this summer, particularly before the good weather disappears in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Clear editor. What vaccines are required to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise? In this episode, guests learn more about the environmental programs . While the cruise line is almost forced to implement the rules by the Bahamas, earlier this month, the US Virgin Islands implemented the same rules and regulations. Your link has been automatically embedded. All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. It wasn't immediately clear what other protocols would be required for unvaccinated guests. Nonetheless, the Bahamian Governments new emergency order has now effectively banned any cruise ship that sails with unvaccinated guests over the age of 12. Royal Caribbean Completes First Test Sailing to Resume Cruises in the U.S. Carnival Cruise Line Strengthens Mask Policy Amid Omicron Variant Spread, Disney Cruise Line Will Require Kids 5 and Older to Be Vaccinated Starting in January What to Know, Royal Caribbean required guests 16 and older to be fully vaccinated, recommended all passengers and crew get the jab, vaccinated passengers can potentially ditch their masks. The Florida policy is slated to go into effect on July 1, as cruise ships in the US begin to set sail for the first time in a year due to the pandemic. traveling on another booking) remain subject to the standard cancellation penalty schedule. Royal Caribbean: Avoid Florida If You Want An All-Vaccinated - Forbes - More information on Royal Caribbean's COVID-19 protocols can be found on the company's website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have removed the COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships as of Monday. A All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. "In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccinations will be protected and no business or government entity will be able to deny you services based on your decision," DeSantis said during the bill signing last month. Cruise lines have restricted their ships to only allow adults that are fully vaccinated onboard since sailings restarted in late 2020. Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date.. In many cases inocul. After Friday's announcement, Royal Caribbean's frequently asked questions page has been updated to show that vaccines will only be required for ships departing from Seattle, Washington and the Bahamas. ", "We've actually surveyed our guests and the vast bulk of the people that have booked our cruises have already been vaccinated, and they're volunteering it, they want it. Paste as plain text instead, Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley shared some numbers the CDC had given to him, during his remarks to passengers on the 2022 President's Cruise, Royal Caribbean Blog first reported. Royal Caribbean will require vaccinated guests 5 and older to take a pre-cruise test on sailings from the U.S. that are 10 nights or longer starting Sept. 5, according to its website. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Greg Abbott in April. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. An exception to the new policy is for passengers boarding a ship to Alaska. The Miami-based operator. But I was impressed at how quickly we're able to do it given a terrible market and a company with zero revenue.". The full name of the person who needs the accommodation, as the name appears on their reservation, Best phone number to reach the requesting guest (or their legal guardian if they are a minor), Best email to reach the requesting guest or their guardian, should it be different than the one you are emailing from. Political buffoonery: Cruise lines head for showdown with DeSantis over vaccine requirement ban, Thanks in large part to the successful rollout of vaccines, the world of adventure is beginning to open up, and we are all excited to start delivering great vacations to our guests, who have increasingly told us they are getting vaccinated, Bayley said in the statement. Vaccinated guests won't have to take a pre-cruise test on cruises that are shorter than 10 nights. The letter must clearly indicate the pre-existing, non-COVID medical condition or disability that is contraindicated for vaccination. "I don't think we're talking about a vaccine passport. Nor is there any vaccine requirement for US citizens. Some ships can hold more than 5,400 passengers at two to a room. Celebrity kept its vaccine requirement for sailings from Florida and a number of other places. Despite removing the proof of vaccination requirement, he pointed to company data that claims 90% of Royal Caribbean consumers are "either vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated in time for their cruise. "There will be cases of Covid-19 on board ships, just as there are cases of Covid-19 onshore". Before requesting a vaccination accommodation, there are several things to keep in mind. Be aware that approvals or denials for vaccine accommodation may be issued up to 2 weeks prior to sailing or later. It has also prompted Royal Caribbean to take swift action. As of today, 90 percent of all vacationers booking with Royal Caribbean are either vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated in time for their cruise.. smokeybandit 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. The first is scheduled to depart Miami on July 2, with more joining the fleet through Aug. 23. Re: covid vaccine fter 8-2022 required for usa citizen to return. Under current CDC regulations, cruise lines can resume business on the condition that its crew is fully vaccinated and that it completes a test trip with volunteer passengers to demonstrate its ability to ensure safety protocols. Coast Guard Rescues 4 Passengers from 3 Cruise Ships in 24 Hours, Holland America Opens Alaska Season With Special 150th Events, Viking Vessel Launches Toronto 2023 Cruise Season, MSC Cruises Announces First-Ever Winter Season in Japan. Prior to this sweeping vaccine mandate, Royal Caribbean had been announcing select "fully vaccinated" cruises. Cruising is a global industry that, before the pandemic, was worth $150bn and supported about 1.2 million jobs. December 2020: How Covid cruise ships are navigating troubled waters. The new policy, which was announced as the cruise line detailed summer sailings out of Florida and Texas, will allow unvaccinated passengers to board a Royal Caribbean cruise as long as they "undergo testing and follow other protocols." Please see the specific requirements for the letter below: Vaccine accommodation requests should be submitted individually, and will be considered individually. Boarding Requirements FAQ | Royal Caribbean Cruises NOTE: All Royal Caribbean guests aged 12 and older must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing. Royal Caribbean cruises are back but vaccinations will be optional. What vaccines are required to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise? However, it shied away from creating a blanket COVID-19 vaccine mandate for guests, although the cruise line previously said it would expect crew members to be vaccinated before sailings return. NOW WATCH: How 30,000 meals a day are made on the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas. COVID-19 Vaccination is no longer required to sail, with a few exceptions. USA's foreign national vaccine requirement ending May 11. - Royal Vaccines Will Now Be Optional on Most Royal Caribbean Cruises - Travel For some sailings where local regulations require vaccination, such as those sailing from Australia, we have adopted operational capacity restrictions that restrict the number of guests we can carry who are not vaccinated. The move is a reversal from a May policy that mandated vaccines for all travelers over age 16. The just-announced cruises will depart from Florida, which has passed a law prohibiting companies from requiring proof of vaccination, and Texas, where lawmakers just passed a similar bill, according to the Texas Tribune. "Ports around the world are opening up and opening up very quickly. Which Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships Have Resumed Operations? You can post now and register later. Change the ship/sail date and submit a new request, if your denial was based on operational capacity. As summer travelers prepare to sail, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is lowering its threshold for cruise ships to meet a highly vaccinated status. Your previous content has been restored. The world's largest cruise line late Wednesday said it was eliminating the requirement only for some of the itineraries it offers around the world. "Most cruise liners operate different brands and I think that even now not all of them will survive. What vaccines are required to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise? And so we are making those steps, we feel comfortable that we will be able to continue to crew them in the way we have in the past". The cruise line has announced a further easing of its protocols by dropping the vaccine requirements on select sailings from September 5, 2022. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. Only kids (under 12 from USA ports) who cannot yet be vaccinated can sail subject to testing and protocols. Stay up to date with what you want to know. 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. The Bahamian Prime Minister issued an emergency order on August 19, impacting the cruise industry and cruise ships making calls in the Bahamas. Detours with locals. 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. Readers react to an op-ed on period weirdness after covid vaccines. Even those who have gone and found other jobs, say: 'Oh, I'm really happy, I can go back on board.' Read more: Carnival and Royal Caribbean salaries revealed: From $32,000 to $383,000, here's how much the cruise industry's power players pay some of their employees. Royal Caribbean Updates Vaccine Protocols Following Bahamas Order Cruise firm offers 999 free rooms to key workers, AI chatbots 'may soon be more intelligent than us', Russia troop deaths hit 20,000 in five months - US, France May Day protests leave dozens of police injured, 'My wife and six children joined Kenya starvation cult', On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. 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. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is dropping its COVID-19 vaccine requirement but there's a catch, This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. The two . Royal Caribbean's Plan To Carry Unvaccinated Passengers - Forbes Royal Caribbean said it still needs to complete simulation cruises before getting approval for the sailings it announced Friday. [TRENDING: Is it illegal in Florida to back into a parking space? You can watch Richard Fain's full interview on "Talking Business with Aaron Heslehurst" this weekend on BBC World News at Saturday 23:30 GMT, Sunday 05:30 and 16:30 GMT, Monday 06:30 GMT and 10:30 GMT and Tuesday at 12:30 GMT. Royal Caribbean announced Friday that passengers will not be required to show proof of vaccination. In a statement, Royal Caribbean said that while all crew members will be vaccinated against COVID-19, guests are "strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated" but will not be mandated to do so nor show verification. In another caveat, passengers on Europe sailings who aren't up to date on a COVID-19 vaccine series per European standards will need to take a COVID-19 test on board in order to get off the ship in Greece and Spain. Many of those who work in the cruise industry are crew who have returned to their homes around the world and sought alternative employment during the pandemic. By smokeybandit 3 minutes ago in Royal Caribbean News and Rumors. Still need help? Contact Us - Royal Caribbean International This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. "Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date," Royal Caribbean said on Friday. An exception to the new policy is those boarding a ship to Alaska where the cruise line will still require guests 16 and older to be vaccinated, and 12 and older starting Aug. 1. Royal Caribbean just announced a flood of summer cruises. Approvals apply only to the sailing for which they were granted and need to be renewed for each new sailing as protocols and operational needs change frequently. The move is a reversal from a May policy that mandated vaccines for all travelers over age 16. You cannot paste images directly. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the cruise line said in a news release. These Cruise Lines Are Ending Vaccine Requirements "I didn't like having to do it. Carnival Cruise, Royal Caribbean and more to drop vaccine requirements The decision is a stark reversal from the company's initial vaccine mandate announced last month, which required vaccinations for all passengers over 16 years old on ships sailing from the US and the Bahamas. Vacationers can finally plan to take their precious time off this summer and truly get away after what has been a challenging time for everyone.. The major cruise line previously mandated the covid vaccine for crew members only. "Actually that's a very important part of cruising , the opportunity to go other places". ", "This is it. The twin announcements came just two days after Norwegian Cruise Line and sister lines Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises became the first major cruise brands to announce an end to their COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Reply. Shrimp po boys and live music: Big Freedias New Orleans favorites. Disney and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Will Require Vaccine Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Find the right card for you. "Its important that all of our guests enjoy their experience at any destination while also meeting local measures.". Under pandemic-era rules for restarting cruising, ships need to take volunteers on a test cruise to show they can mitigate the risks of covid-19. DeSantis and fellow Florida politicians for "their steadfast support of our industry." Royal Caribbean's announcement did not hint at such concerns. To find out more about the new guidelines issued, click here. Other informational resources can be accessed on theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention traveler's health websiteor by calling toll-free (877) FYI-TRIP and on theWorld Health Organization website. Royal Caribbean As with so many cruises around the world, requirements will vary by itinerary, but new policies that went into effect earlier this month eliminated vaccination requirements for. COVID-19 vaccines no longer will be required for Celebrity sailings from European countries with the exception of Iceland and sailings from Los Angeles. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traveler's health website. The move from Royal Caribbean does not come entirely as a surprise. A ship can skip the test by adhering to a vaccine threshold that calls for a combined 95% of employees and passengers to be vaccinated. updated guidance from the major cruise line. 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. You can also have your local travel agent or International Representative contact us.