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. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Symphony of the Seas (WPLG) Royal Caribbean announced Thursday it's no longer requiring vaccinated guests to take a COVID-19 test prior to embarking on. The about-face is an apparent submission to Gov. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. It is typically fairly obvious if someone is wearing a slingshot mankini. If they are more likely, then you could easily end up on a ship where less than half of the passengers are fully vaccinated. Crew will be tested regularly while on board. Vaccinated guests aged 12 and over will no longer have any pre-cruise COVID-19 related protocols. Once you are on a cruise ship how can you then tell who should be following additional precautions such as wearing face masks and staying at least six feet or one Denzel (because Denzel Washington is about six feet tall) away from others? 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. Related: Will I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention kept Royal Caribbean (RCL) - Get Free Report, Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) - Get Free Report, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) - Get Free Report and every other cruise line from sailing from ports in the U.S. from March 2020 through July 2021. At this checkpoint, an agent told me that if I wanted to present a vaccine card, that was the time to do so. "Two is terrible. box below. 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. Learn more. 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. [TRENDING: Is it illegal in Florida to back into a parking space? 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. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. The CDC may not be directly saying that it's done all it can, but the cruise lines clearly have taken reasonable precautions, and given the state of covid in the U.S., that's all that anyone can reasonably expect. Carnival Cruise Line During one performance, I went to the theater's upper level (where anyone, including unvaccinated passengers, was able to sit) to see what it was like. These may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean International on Friday announced plans to bring back six more ships including some of its largest for U.S. sailings starting July 2. This voyage included calls on Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island, in the Bahamas. Get ready for cruise ships carrying people who are not vaccinated against Covid-19. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. One can download it through The app or from browser on The phone, and there is this QR-code to "check" it. Visit the Newsweek VaxFacts website to learn more and to download the HealthGuard browser extension. This decision seems shocking only because the CDC, at least during the period where the cruise industry was shut down from U.S. ports, seemed to have an adversarial relationship with the companies it regulated. Business reporter, BBC News. Royal Caribbean Informs Guests of Updated Protocols - Cruise Hive Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Passengers no longer have to wear masks onboard while they are indoors, and while capacities have not returned to 100% . 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). However, the cruise ship company has now done an a boat face, so to speak. Royal Caribbean Extends Vaccine Mandate Further Into 2022 - Cruise Radio The major cruise line previously mandated the covid vaccine for crew members only. Maarten.". For non-U.S. guests, the line will also accept Astra-Zeneca.". Travel agents and guests were notified of the change in policy. Royal Caribbean extended the suspension of sailings for its global fleet through May 31 (excluding cruises aboard the Quantum, Spectrum, Voyager and Odyssey of the Seas cruise ships) "in order to allow additional time for our return to service preparations," the company said in a statement on March 19. Virgin Voyages Becomes First Major Cruise Line to Eliminate Pre-embarkation COVID Testing in the U.S. Margaritaville at Sea Becomes Latest Cruise Line to Ease Pre-boarding COVID Testing Requirement, Where Can Americans Travel Right Now? Vaccinated travelers will not be required to get tested for cruises that are 9 nights or less. "We want you to be more comfortable walking on board a ship than walking down Main Street," Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean's CEO, told the BBC. While vaccination is not required, they kindly ask passengers to disclose their vaccine status during check-in. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. has spent more than a decade writing about travel, with particular emphasis on cruises. Airplanes, theme parks, casinos, and hotels no longer require any such Covid protocols and have not had any requirements for months. Royal Caribbean Updates COVID-19 Testing Policy for - Travel + Leisure While vaccination is not required, they kindly ask passengers to disclose their vaccine status during check-in. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). Visitors must still fill out a health screening form prior to arrival. Azamara does not require negative test results in order to board unless mandated by local governments in the ports where the line's ships sail. Viking Cruises already has the booster requirement in place. Unfortunately, the announcement didn't come in time for this voyage. says. 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. Currently, the company requires all guests to "be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before sailing with all required COVID-19 vaccine doses" and "strongly" recommends guests receive the booster shot. 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. Guests can take advantage of in-person, telehealth, and self-swab tests. People still get covid, as do crew members, but only two people have died, and very few have gotten seriously ill. Vaccinated-only areas included the spa, casino, fitness center (during most operating hours), Izumi sushi and hibachi, Chef's Table and the lower decks of the main dining room and theater. 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. This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. Its difficult to tell. By contrast, you cant really tell whether someone has been vaccinated unless you actually see that persons Covid-19 Vaccination Record Card and somehow verify that its not a fake. Royal Caribbean: We expect all cruise guests to be vaccinated Following August 1, this age requirement will fall to 12 years old or older. Regardless of the port location, guests will have to show proof of full vaccination, completed at least 14 days before the cruise departs. 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. In a statement CEO Michael Bayley thanked DeSantis and other elected officials for their support of the industry, which has been paralyzed since it was forced to shut down in March 2020 after COVID-19 outbreaks and deaths on several ships. Twitter user @patriottakes wrote: "MAGAs [Make America Great Again, Donald Trump's campaign slogan] are starting to boycott Royal Caribbean because they are requiring vaccinations for adult passengers and crew members when they start sailing again in June. The graphic below, produced by Statista, illustrates the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. Newsweek, in partnership with NewsGuard, is dedicated to providing accurate and verifiable vaccine and health information. Royal Caribbean International has announced plans to begin sailing six of its cruise ships out of southern U.S. ports this July and August. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - Royal Caribbean clarified its vaccine policy this week, stating that it will require certain guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on cruises departing. Health, Travel & Risk Acknowledgement. Royal Caribbean International has announced updated protocols for the United States, Puerto Rico, and Barbados-based cruises through March 31, 2022. No Covid test, proof of vaccination or quarantine is required. Instead, Odyssey will begin her inaugural season out of a new homeport, Haifa, Israel from June to October 2021. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). 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. Guests under this age requirement who haven't been vaccinated will instead have to be tested for the virus. Currently, Royal Caribbean requires travelers 12 and older to be vaccinated on U.S. cruises. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. "And the number of people who died from COVID who'd sailed on ships over the past year was two," Royal Caribbean Blog reported. sailings.". 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. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Royal Caribbean will require vaccinated guests 5 and older to take a pre-cruise test on sailings from the U.S . updated guidance from the major cruise line. "This Order introduces a phased approach for resuming passenger cruises. Royal Caribbean just announced 'fully vaccinated' cruises to the In recent weeks, several cruise lines have been forced to cancel sailings (and some have implemented stronger mask policies) amid the emergence of the omicron variant. Speaking to Newsweek, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean said that "vaccinations will be required for the upcoming sailings from [the] Bahamas and St. 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. When Will Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian End Vaccine Mandate When Royal Caribbean resumed cruises in 2021, Covid-19 protocols were a major component to the onboard experience. Samantha started at WKMG-TV in September 2020. "We want you to be more comfortable walking onboard a ship than walking down Main Street.". 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. Does Royal Caribbean accept a photo of the vaccine card as proof? Like what you see? Cov. Why the change in Royal Caribbean policy? Royal Caribbean has made it a practice to provide periodic . According to CDC rules, cruise ships that dont meet certain vaccination thresholds for passengers and crew must first do a successful test cruise before they can restart revenue cruises. Bayley said during the President's Cruise that testing would "be around for another couple of months.". Royal Caribbean Won't Require Covid-19 Vaccination To Ride U - Forbes 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. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. You can follow her daily exploits, both at sea and on land, on Instagram or Twitter @slyjabroni. 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. 2023 TheStreet, Inc. All rights reserved. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs new cruise newsletter. Royal Caribbean Drops Vaccine Requirement for Some Cruises Do you know about when you'd like to sail? While there, I noticed most of the passengers in this area were parents with young children. Without very high vaccination rates among passengers and crew members, it can be difficult for a cruise ship to prevent the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) once the virus has made it on board. "We are continuing to adapt our protocols to align more closely with how the rest of society and other travel and leisure businesses are operating. Breeze through security with CLEAR lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Unfortunately, the announcement didn't come in time for this voyage. NOW WATCH: This is what it takes to be a cruise ship performer. Vaccines, however, have clearly helped limit the number of severe cases onboard, and showing vaccination cards is a much smaller ask of passengers than requiring them to get tested no more than two days before their cruises. Royal Caribbean just announced a new collection of seven-night summer cruises to the Bahamas and Mexico, but don't consider booking a spot unless you plan on being fully vaccinated against. 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. And that could be a real ship storm, so to speak. The CDC has dropped its voluntary program to monitor cruise ships. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian all require anyone 12 and older sailing on their ships to be fully. Royal Caribbean to require proof of vaccination on cruises from Florida I saw a couple of crew members nicely ask passengers to pull their masks up over their noses in public spaces (and they complied). This bracelet allowed me to access areas of the ship reserved for vaccinated passengers. In a press release Friday announcing cruises for sale on eight of its ships from U.S. ports this summer, starting with Freedom of the Seas from PortMiami on July 2, the company said it will recommend passengers get the COVID-19 vaccine, but not require it. After 14 days pass, you can get onboard on Day 15. 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. Here, I'll explain how various facets of the sailing look for both vaccinated and unvaccinated cruisers. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. "Effective November 2, 2022, all travelers on U.S. sailings regardless of vaccination status will no longer require pre-departure testing (excludes sailings to Colombia, Haiti, & Honduras)." 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. "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. Fully vaccinated guests and guests ages 11 and younger are exempt. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. No Covid Vaccines Needed To Cruise On Royal Caribbean Ships That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. "Finally!!! Hawaii. "Cruise passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, and outbreaks of COVID-19 have been reported on cruise ships," the CDC warns. Cruise officials said any cruise guests departing before then must adhere to the current protocols in place, which differ depending on where you are leaving from. It can be professionally proctored at your doctor or drugstore, or it can be a test you administer to yourself at home without supervision. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. This includes more contagious variants that now have sorority and fraternity sounding names, as I recently covered for Forbes. That has worked to keepcovid under control. 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. In late June, the Royal Caribbean cruise line will, be allowed to operate test cruises out of South Florida after receiving approval from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. User @drsimonegold tweeted: "WOW: @RoyalCaribbean cruises is now requiring you to get an experimental vaccine to book a cruise with them. 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. Many and most of the destinations that we visit require a high degree of vaccination, and they expect our crew to be vaccinated.". The order was most recently extended on September 30 last year but on October 30, "a Framework for Conditional Sailing Order" was issued by the CDC. Feel free to visitourFAQsfor full details on vaccination requirements. 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. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. 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. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Going forward, the cruise line will make pre-departure. 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. Cruise Ship Travel During COVID-19 | CDC But against the context of everything we've seen, [that's] truly been a remarkable success.". A positive test would preclude them from embarking on the cruise. I noticed that the areas reserved for vaccinated passengers were rarely, if ever, crowded. Royal Caribbean has updated its COVID-19 protocols to allow more people to sail on their ships, according to the RoyalCaribbeanblog. The new order outlined detailed guidelines for resuming cruise operations in U.S. waters. Ron DeSantis, who has insisted that there will be no exception made for cruise companies to a newly passed Florida law that fines companies $5,000 each time they ask a patron to provide proof of vaccination. I showed mine, and the agent gave me a purple rubber bracelet to wear. Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. User @joanwetz agreed with the boycott, noting: "I am. The line's decision to sail less than 95% vaccinated (which requires each ship sailing from the U.S. to complete test voyages under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's supervision) means that there are restrictions on board. To find out more about the new guidelines issued, click here. First and foremost, it's worth noting that. 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The company plans to "resume further operation in June" but noted updates on extended suspensions for the following ships and sailings: The company warns: "Health and safety protocols, guest conduct rules, and regional travel restrictions vary by ship and destination, and are subject to change without notice.