Similarly, passengers 18 years old or older sailing from other international ports will also have to be fully vaccinated. "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. The letter must come from a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Some ships can hold more than 5,400 passengers at two to a room. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For guests sailing from Australia, vaccines must be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). "There will be cases of Covid-19 on board ships, just as there are cases of Covid-19 onshore". 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. The Checkup With Dr. Wen: Who should get a second bivalent booster? Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. traveling on another booking) remain subject to the standard cancellation penalty schedule. This protocol will go into place starting Aug. 8. The two . "We want you to be more comfortable walking on board a ship than walking down Main Street.". Sign up for notifications from Insider! The travel company announced on Friday that an additional six ships will resume trips from US ports in Florida and Texas starting in July and August. If we are unable to approve your request, you can: *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. On March 1, the cruise line also announced its first "fully. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. And people want a place where they can go where they know they're safe.". Royal Caribbean International has announced it won't require US passengers to get vaccinated to go on several ships set to sail this summer. Royal Caribbean is not responsible for any travel-related expenses incurred by you or members of your traveling party should your request be denied. 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. Asked about forgeries he replied: "We don't think many people would would even bother to do so. Ron DeSantis to prohibit vaccine requirements, including a recently passed bill that fines businesses $5,000 each time they request proof of vaccination. 6 hours ago in Royal Caribbean News and Rumors, I know this has affected some Canadian cruisers wanting to sail out of the USA, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/01/the-biden-administration-will-end-covid-19-vaccination-requirements-for-federal-employees-contractors-international-travelers-head-start-educators-and-cms-certified-facilities/. It has also prompted Royal Caribbean to take swift action. 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. Royal Caribbean International is resuming cruises aimed at U.S. vacationers this summer - with a twist. The letter must be signed by the MD or DO. In a statement, it said it was working towards "the prospective resumption of passenger operations in the United States by mid-summer". 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. You can also have your local travel agent or International Representative contact us. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Effective from September 3 until November 1, 2021, no passengers will be allowed to enter any Bahamas ports, including private islands, unless several requirements are met, including a vaccination requirement. Rivals such as Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line have felt similar financial pain. Upload or insert images from URL. Is climate change killing Australian wine? 7,232 posts. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. "Ports around the world are opening up and opening up very quickly. You can post now and register later. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traveler's health website. The US hasn't mandated the COVID vaccine for all eager cruiser goers, but the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that cruise lines with 98% of crew and 95% of passengers vaccinated can skip the "simulated voyages" that would otherwise be necessary for cruise lines to resume "restricted passenger voyages" again. Nor is there any vaccine requirement for US citizens. Royal Caribbean senses financial improvements are on the horizon. 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 International - Guests no longer need to be vaccinated nor tested to board Royal Caribbean International on most sailings. The three latter brands said their new no-vaccine-required policies were fleetwide. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. However, the move from the Bahamas will also meet significant backlash from those opposed for one way or the other to vaccinations at this time. Four major cruise lines are dropping their vaccination requirements for some sailings next month, the . Save. Royal Caribbean's announcement did not hint at such concerns. Pasted as rich text. 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. Until now, Royal Caribbean only has allowed unvaccinated passengers under the age of 12 on its ships and only in limited numbers. This is now the case as Florida protocols in September were updated which follows other ports that already had a requirement for guests 12 and over to be fully vaccinated. Along with the USVI order a couple of weeks ago, it means all of our ships sailings from Florida and from all USA ports and ports around the world require all eligible guests to be fully vaccinated. To be considered fully vaccinated by the countries we visit: A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. Previously, Royal Caribbean required guests 16 and older to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before embarking on a cruise with plans to drop that to 12 and older after Aug. 1. For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. updated guidance from the major cruise line. 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. 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. Eager cruisers looking to resume sailing with Royal Caribbean will now have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to updated guidance from the major cruise line. 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. Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. The cruise line said that it would only "strongly . But I was impressed at how quickly we're able to do it given a terrible market and a company with zero revenue.". 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. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. Royal Caribbean did not answer a question about whether its decision not to require vaccinations for passengers was a result of the states bans. DeSantis and fellow Florida politicians for "their steadfast support of our industry." 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. There have been outbreaks on some of the few cruises that have run around the world since the pandemic began. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is finally doing away with its COVID-19 vaccine requirement for adults. However Mr Fain think this will soon change. Vaccines will be needed to get on ships such as Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Sea, seen here in Miami in March By Jonathan Josephs Business reporter, BBC News One of the world's biggest. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Shrimp po boys and live music: Big Freedias New Orleans favorites. "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. Guests can rest assured that their health and safety are our top priority and measures will be communicated in a timely manner ahead of our return to sailing., Latest on the cruise comeback: Rogue wave incident | Overboard passenger saved | Covid hits Sydney cruise | Carnival fining unruly passengers | Unvaccinated passengers welcomed | Cheap cruises | No more CDC stats | Record bookings | Rape lawsuit | Carnival fire | Passenger bill of rights | CDC drops cruise warnings | Passenger overboard | Crystal ships seized, Local guides, travel tips and the latest industry news. COVID-19 Vaccination is no longer required to sail, with a few exceptions. 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. Prior to this sweeping vaccine mandate, Royal Caribbean had been announcing select "fully vaccinated" cruises. Richard Fain, chief executive of Royal Caribbean, told the BBC "we expect all of our guests who are eligible for a vaccine to have it". Bahamas and Caribbean cruises that leave from Florida ports the busiest in the world still have vaccine rules in place. The new requirements mean that all U.S. departures and departures worldwide onboard Royal Caribbean ships will sail with 100% fully vaccinated guests from September onwards. By clicking Sign Up, you also agree to marketing emails from both Insider and Morning Brew; and you accept Insiders. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. "If it happens on the ship you'll be treated exactly the same as you are onshore, and that will protect from this becoming a bigger outbreak.". The unvaccinated guest will receive a full refund after cancellation. Which Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships Have Resumed Operations? Royal Caribbean up for a skirmish with Florida, arnival 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, announcing select "fully vaccinated" cruises, resulted in boycott demands in late March across Facebook and Twitter. Royal Caribbean has updated its protocols, and the cruise line will be having all sailings requiring guests 12 years old and over to be fully vaccinated from September 2021. Wait for a response to your request before booking travel arrangements such as flights and hotel accommodations. Seabourn Cruise Line - Facial coverings onboard are optional. Approvals do not imply or guarantee an approval for any future sailings. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Royal Caribbean cruises are back but vaccinations will be optional. Change the ship/sail date and submit a new request, if your denial was based on operational capacity. A All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. This protocol will go into place starting. 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.. Better make your plans now. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. Regardless of the port location, guests will have to show proof of full vaccination, completed at least 14 days before the cruise departs. 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. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Royal Caribbean has announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for guests. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider In a statement, the cruise lines president and CEO, Michael Bayley, thanked elected officials including Gov. 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. But their announcements, too, came with an asterisk: The lines said COVID-19 vaccines still will be required for cruises in some places where local regulations call for one. It wasn't immediately clear what other protocols would be required for unvaccinated guests. A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Travel + Leisure. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. For its part, Royal Caribbean has already been approved to start test sailings later this month ahead of its planned restart this summer. The Miami-based brand said that effective Sept. 5, COVID-19 vaccines no longer would be required for sailings out of ports in California, Louisiana and Texas, as well as sailings from all ports in Europe. The sailings from locations including the Canary Islands, Germany and Singapore have all been "cruises to nowhere", meaning they do not stop at other ports. Can onboard rollercoasters save the cruise industry? Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Carnival cruise lines are easing their pandemic-era protocol by allowing unvaccinated travelers on more sailings, as well as accepting at-home COVID-19 tests for. Cruise lines have restricted their ships to only allow adults that are fully vaccinated onboard since sailings restarted in late 2020. 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. Going forward, the cruise . Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. announce an end to their COVID-19 vaccination requirements, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The mega cruise line has recently been dabbling with vaccine mandates. Adults have needed to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise on all of its itineraries around the world. The first is scheduled to depart Miami on July 2, with more joining the fleet through Aug. 23. Royal Caribbean said it still needs to complete simulation cruises before getting approval for the sailings it announced Friday. Read about our approach to external linking. Find the right card for you. Guests under this age requirement who haven't been vaccinated will instead have to be tested for the virus. Where they sail: Royal Caribbean sails large ocean ships all over the world, including many popular itineraries throughout the Caribbean and Asia. The Miami-based operator. An exception to the new policy is for passengers boarding a ship to Alaska. 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 expects to require its crew members to receive the vaccine before sailings return, a spokesperson told Insider. No covid testing is required for US citizens returning to the US from the Bahamas. 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. Vaccines must be approved for use by the country they are sailing from. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Royal Caribbean announced Thursday its no longer requiring vaccinated guests to take a COVID-19 test prior to embarking on cruises six nights or less. Whenever we grant a vaccination accommodation, we reserve the right to revoke it at any time. Could Disney move out of Florida? USA's foreign national vaccine requirement ending May 11. 1. | Trust Index: Do COVID booster shots make you more susceptible to the virus? But local rules in some destinations that its ships visit, such as the Caribbean, mean it's not practical to do away with the requirement completely for now. Two ships, operated by Royal Caribbean sister line Celebrity Cruises, will go straight to voyages with paying passengers since the company has said it will meet the vaccine threshold. A similar policy that bans certain companies for requesting vaccine verification was enacted by Texas Gov. Royal Caribbean will now require all guests to get tested for COVID-19 for certain cruises, regardless of their vaccination status. 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. So what does it mean! 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.. Royal Caribbean will require vaccinations for some cruises: ships leaving Seattle for Alaska this summer, those sailing from the Bahamas and ships leaving from other international ports. In addition, even for the itineraries out of Texas and Louisiana for which vaccines no longer will be required, passengers will need to show proof of vaccination if they plan to get off the ship in Grand Cayman a common stop on sailings from those states. NOW WATCH: How 30,000 meals a day are made on the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas. If you believe that you meet the requirements for a vaccination accommodation, please send an email to vaxaccommodations@rccl.com. This will mean 13 of the company's 59 ships are in operation. By contrast, the company reported a profit of $1.7bn in 2019. "Its important that all of our guests enjoy their experience at any destination while also meeting local measures.". "I would like to sincerely thank our guests and travel partners for their incredible patience and understanding during this very difficult period.". 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. VideoOn board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, I didnt think make-up was made for black girls, Why there is serious money in kitchen fumes. But at the time, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said these boycott demands were based on a "misconception.". Who needs the vaccine: Everyone is welcome. By The major cruise line previously mandated the covid vaccine for crew members only. [TRENDING: Is it illegal in Florida to back into a parking space? This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Like Norwegian which also mandated the COVID-19 vaccine in April this request for proof of the vaccine could setRoyal Caribbean up for a skirmish with Florida, which has already barred vaccine passports and local businesses from requiring them. 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. The cruise line has announced a further easing of its protocols by dropping the vaccine requirements on select sailings from September 5, 2022. These Cruise Lines Will Accept At-home Covid Tests for Unvaccinated Passengers, Norwegian Cruises to Allow Unvaccinated Passengers Starting in September, These Major Cruise Lines Just Dropped COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Shorter Sailings What to Know, More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers on Board. Celebrity kept its vaccine requirement for sailings from Florida and a number of other places. 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.. At this time,only the following sailings have COVID-19 vaccination requirements: Guestsage12 and older must be fully vaccinated againstCOVID-19in order to sail: Vaccines that are fully approved or authorized for emergency use by theWorld Health Organization (with the exception of CanSino), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), will be accepted by the ports we sail to. Be aware that we may not be able to process requests submitted less than 14 days to sailing. "Most cruise liners operate different brands and I think that even now not all of them will survive. The announcement of these select vaccinated cruises later resulted in boycott demands in late March across Facebook and Twitter. It may be possible for some members of the same travel party to receive an approval and others be denied. One of the world's biggest cruise companies says coronavirus vaccinations will be needed to get on its ships. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and more to drop vaccination requirements for select sailings. Apr 29, 2023, 6:18 PM. "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 in May. On July 2, Royal Caribbean plans to sail from Miami on the Freedom of the Seas to its private island, CocoCay. 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. Reply. 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. The Bahamian Prime Minister issued an emergency order on August 19, impacting the cruise industry and cruise ships making calls in the Bahamas. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is finally doing away with its COVID-19 vaccine requirement for adults. "We want you to be more comfortable walking onboard a ship than walking down Main Street.". Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Paste as plain text instead, They must. No way, experts say. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. We strongly recommend that fully vaccinated guests also get a booster dose when they become eligible to do so. The only exception to this rule will be those under the age of 12 and guests who are not eligible for any of the COVID-19 vaccines due to medical contraindications. Also Read: Which Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships Have Resumed Operations? 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 announced Thursday it's no longer requiring vaccinated guests to take a COVID-19 test prior to embarking on cruises six nights or less. 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. If your vaccination accommodation request is denied. Published on August 2, 2021. 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". But there's a catch. "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. Share. 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.
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