| Become a News 6 Insider (its free!)]. Fully vaccinated guests and guests ages 11 and younger are exempt. Speaking to Newsweek, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean said that "vaccinations will be required for the upcoming sailings from [the] Bahamas and St. Apr 12, 2022 10:20 AM EDT. Passengers also had to select specific check-in times for embarkation day, ensuring that crowds stayed thin at the terminal during the boarding process. regardless of vaccination status, can cruise on the . As a side note, the ship's Windjammer buffet was not open for dinner during the sailing. A Country-by-country Guide, Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing, Uniworld to Become One of the First River Cruises to Drop Vaccine Requirements next Year, Carnival Cruise Line to Lift Mask Requirement on Board Starting March 1, Every Caribbean Island's COVID-19 Travel Policies and What You Need to Know to Plan Your Trip, Royal Caribbean Launches Hotel Booking Platform for One-stop Trip Planning, These Caribbean Destinations Just Dropped the Pre-arrival Testing Requirement for Vaccinated Travelers, eliminated testing for vaccinated passengers, officially ended its pandemic-era program for cruise ships. Viking Cruises already has the booster requirement in place. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. The cruise company's new sailings from the Bahamas will require all adult guests "to be . Charleston. The vaccine is not perfect. Previously, certain areas onboard. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. User @joanwetz agreed with the boycott, noting: "I am. 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. Action Alerts PLUS is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc. starts on October 1st, and you would be permitted to board the ship on 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. Under the voluntary program, the CDC had been tracking covid levels on ships, assigning color levels based on positive tests and exposures. Royal Caribbean cruises are back but vaccinations will be optional. Rather, we focus on discussions related to local stories by our own staff. These Cruise Lines Will Accept At-home Covid Tests for - Travel A line-by-line guide. Regardless of the rules, passengers are sure to have a good time. 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. 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. Each person sailing was required to download the Royal Caribbean app. Those with the vaccine were able to go anywhere onboard, and areas specially allotted for passengers who had their shots had no mask-wearing rules. It's easy to remember when you either have to wear them all the time or don't have to wear them at all. News 6 is Getting Results. Royal Caribbean's Covid Testing and Vaccination Rules - TheStreet "Guests . The announcement is a reversal from previous statements and vaccine protocols the company submitted to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month that said it would require all passengers at least 18 years old and older to be vaccinated. Royal Caribbean Cruises 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. Guests under the age of 12 do not have any testing requirements. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. The SARS-CoV2 is still actively spreading in the U.S. and throughout different parts of the world. People still get covid, as do crew members, but only two people have died, and very few have gotten seriously ill. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. WOW: @RoyalCaribbean cruises is now requiring you to get an experimental vaccine to book a cruise with them. 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. 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. Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results, a clear photo of your self-test result, or your actual self-test in hand. User @drsimonegold tweeted: "WOW: @RoyalCaribbean cruises is now requiring you to get an experimental vaccine to book a cruise with them. $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. These restrictions include wearing a mask in most public spaces and limitations on areas and services unvaccinated passengers can access. 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. Guests are also required to wear masks in all indoor public areas, in terminals, and during shore excursions, and take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test before boarding. guests must review and accept the 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. decision to sail less than 95% vaccinated, areas and services unvaccinated passengers can access, Will I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? 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. Prior to this change, unvaccinated guests had to take a Covid-19 test before their cruise. First and foremost, it's worth noting that. Caribbean travel: Covid entry rules, island by island - Travel Weekly Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. On the other hand, a single Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak can end up costing a cruise ship company a whole lot, including reputational damage. Royal Caribbean no longer requires vaccinated guests to take COVID test The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. Her favorite cities include London; Amsterdam; Krakow, Poland; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Dawson City, Yukon; and anywhere known for outstanding pizza and theater. Mexico Plans on Increasing Protocols for Incoming Tourists, Could This The agency currently recommends all travelers are "up to date" with their COVID-19 vaccines before boarding a cruise. Royal Caribbean International Updates Health Protocols - Cruise Hive Royal Caribbean Drops Vaccine Requirement for Some Cruises Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Maarten.". Health, Travel & Risk Acknowledgement. After all, rarely do you hear someone ask, is that person wearing a full business suit or just a suspender man thong? Please view our advertising policy page for more information. If your cruise line does not have a specific testing requirement, get tested as close to time of cruise departure as possible (no more than 3 days before you travel). That's likely only partly true because Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and the rest of the industry must also be protective of optics -- they want the easiest, most inclusive rules, but they also want customers to feel safe. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. The cruise line Royal Caribbean is requiring passengers and crew members 16 or older . User @FunTimeFred1 wrote: "I'm 100% with you, Simone Any company that make this a requirement will go bust," in a reply to the message by @drsimonegold. Royal Caribbean Extends Vaccine Mandate Further Into 2022 - Cruise Radio Here, I'll explain how various facets of the sailing look for both vaccinated and unvaccinated cruisers. "The no vaccine question is is a huge question that none of us know the answer to," Bayley said. Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, who was also on the sailing, said he expects the CDC to roll back mask mandates on ships with a large percentage of vaccinated passengers as early as this week. Several luxury cruise lines are implementing new vaccine protocols, each requiring guests to show proof of having received a booster shot to board. Royal Caribbean's vaccine policies out of U.S. and Caribbean ports are remarkably consistent: For cruises from Seattle, guests who are 16 years of age or older must be fully vaccinated. Guests age 12 and up who are not fully vaccinated have 3 days to take a test before their cruise, regardless the duration of the cruise. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). On my way, I passed lots of hand sanitizer dispensers and signs reminding people about social distancing and masks. 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 . While Americans filled arenas for concerts and sporting events, theme parks operated without any restrictions, and pretty much every business returned to normal, the CDC kept its thumb on the cruise industry. Watch News 6 as they cover breaking local, regional, and national news, plus the latest updates on weather, traffic and sports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have removed the COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships as of Monday. Image source: Dukas/Universal Images Group via Getty Images. 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. This bracelet allowed me to access areas of the ship reserved for vaccinated passengers. Can I go on a cruise if I'm not vaccinated? - CNET As of today, 90% of all vacationers booking with Royal Caribbean are either vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated in time for their cruise, Bayley said in a statement. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. Royal Caribbean Internationals sister brand Celebrity Cruises (both owned by Royal Caribbean Group) is still requiring all passengers 16 years old or older be vaccinated on its seven-night Caribbean cruises that are restarting from Port Everglades on June 26. Learn more. The post received over 8,100 likes and over 2,300 retweets since it was first posted on Saturday. So, is the Florida government essentially not allowing businesses to do something that would help keep their customers and staff safer? Unvaccinated travelers can join us for almost all U.S. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Testing Requirements: All guests 2 and older are required to submit a negative test regardless of vaccination status. For non-U.S. guests, the line will also accept Astra-Zeneca.". The cruises will depart from Bermuda and the Bahamas, and adult passengers must be. Travel agents and guests were notified of the change in policy. Find the right card for you. Vaccinated travelers will be exempt from testing on cruises that are shorter than 10 nights, while unvaccinated travelers 5 and older will have to show proof of a negative test taken within three days of embarking on a sailing. Some destinations may also require testing, so no change in policy is likely to be absolute, but the CDC's decision does seem to pave the way for the cruise lines to mostly drop the testing requirement. Unfortunately, the announcement didn't come in time for this voyage. Your sailing is fast approaching, and we're looking forward to welcoming you onboard. 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. But against the context of everything we've seen, [that's] truly been a remarkable success.". if you received your final dose on October 1st, your 14 day countdown . These new sailings are available for residents of Israel only.". I noticed that the areas reserved for vaccinated passengers were rarely, if ever, crowded. According to Viking's COVID-19 protocol, select at-home tests will meet Viking's travel requirement, provided they include a laboratory-certified proof of result. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). Starting September 5, 2022, all guests can sail with Royal Caribbean, regardless of vaccination status. But there is an important difference between wearing a slingshot mankini and being fully vaccinated. Royal Caribbean Cruises will now allow non-vaccinated passengers after Crew will be tested regularly while on board. . In the U.S., kids younger than 5 are exempt from testing and vaccination requirements.