Royal Caribbean International has announced it won't require US passengers to get vaccinated to go on several ships set to sail this 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. Read about our approach to external linking. A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Travel + Leisure. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. This will mean 13 of the company's 59 ships are in operation. 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. Save. ", "This is it. The Miami-based operator. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is finally doing away with its COVID-19 vaccine requirement for adults. How to submit a vaccination accommodation request If you believe that you meet the requirements for a vaccination accommodation, please send an email to vaxaccommodations@rccl.com. You can post now and register later. The CDC has said vaccinated cruise passengers can remove their masks outdoors unless theyre in a crowd. On July 2, Royal Caribbean plans to sail from Miami on the Freedom of the Seas to its private island, CocoCay. Unfortunately for them, they will either need to get the shot or refrain from cruising aboard Royal Caribbeans ships for the time being. It stopped them in March last year after deadly outbreaks on ships such as the Grand Princess and the Diamond Princess made international headlines. CDC allows second covid booster: Who should get it and when, Coronavirus vaccine shots will remain free to uninsured under Biden plan, Covid isnt over, no matter how much we want it to be, FDA backs second omicron booster for high-risk groups, Why reports of period weirdness after covid shots were ignored, Covid is still a leading cause of death as the virus recedes, Theres new light and lingering questions in the mystery of Wuhan, The Checkup With Dr. Wen: My pandemic baby turns three, Judges can require potential jurors be vaccinated, appeals court rules, Its time to end the five-day isolation guidance for covid, Chinas struggles with lab safety carry danger of another pandemic, Biden signs resolution ending coronavirus national emergency. smokeybandit 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. 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. This protocol will go into place starting Aug. 8. What vaccines are required to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise? We strongly recommend that fully vaccinated guests also get a booster dose when they become eligible to do so. No way, experts say. 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. But there's a catch. 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. 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. Similarly, passengers 18 years old or older sailing from other international ports will also have to be fully vaccinated. Safety protocols for unvaccinated passengers have also not been announced. Our receipt of your vaccination accommodation request in no way implies or guarantees an approval. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Symphony of the Seas, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed, voluntary COVID-19 reporting program for cruise ships. "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. 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 . Paste as plain text instead, 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. Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty spoke about the change during an earnings call with . | Become a News 6 Insider (its free!)]. 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. 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. 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/. In many cases inoculations are recommended, but in some circumstances, they are required by the country from which your cruise departs or countries we visit. 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. Outside of the CDC's remit, sailings from several Caribbean islands, Greece and within UK waters are due to put the new safety protocols through a sterner examination in the next few weeks. He doesn't think that there are security issues around the paper documents issued to show vaccines have been given in countries such as the US and UK. Nonetheless, the Bahamian Governments new emergency order has now effectively banned any cruise ship that sails with unvaccinated guests over the age of 12. 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. Could Disney move out of Florida? Vaccines have increasingly become a political flashpoint in recent months. Approvals do not imply or guarantee an approval for any future sailings. All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. Royal Caribbean is starting 'fully vaccinated' cruises from Israel Half of Israel's citizens have already received one shot of the two-dose vaccine, making the country a prime spot for a. 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. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna,AstraZeneca, etc.,or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). While vaccination is not required for guests under 12, we kindly ask that you fill out their status below. From September 3 onwards, and for cruises onboard Allure of the Seas departing Port Canaveral August 22 and August 29 and Symphony of the Seas departing Miami August 21 and August 29, all guests must be fully vaccinated. "Its important that all of our guests enjoy their experience at any destination while also meeting local measures.". The cruise line has announced a further easing of its protocols by dropping the vaccine requirements on select sailings from September 5, 2022. "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. 1. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Vaccines must be approved for use by the country they are sailing from. Bookings are almost back to pre-pandemic levels with customers paying higher fares, something it says is a sign of strong long-term demand. 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. December 2020: How Covid cruise ships are navigating troubled waters. 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. Royal Caribbean International - Guests no longer need to be vaccinated nor tested to board Royal Caribbean International on most sailings. Which Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships Have Resumed Operations? 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. Can onboard rollercoasters save the cruise industry? The cruise line has been adamant about keeping the requirements so that both vaccinated and non-vaccinated guests can sail aboard the ships, but to no avail. 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. Before requesting a vaccination accommodation, there are several things to keep in mind. 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. Where they sail: Royal Caribbean sails large ocean ships all over the world, including many popular itineraries throughout the Caribbean and Asia. Royal Caribbean announced Friday that passengers will not be required to show proof of vaccination. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Who needs the vaccine: Everyone is welcome. 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. Adults have needed to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise on all of its itineraries around the world. Find the right card for you. So what does it mean! USA's foreign national vaccine requirement ending May 11. The Miami-based operator will not require passengers to be vaccinated. 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. 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. DeSantis and fellow Florida politicians for "their steadfast support of our industry." Royal Caribbean senses financial improvements are on the horizon. Read about our approach to external linking. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. 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. 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," Bayley said in a statement. Whatever the reasoning, for now, it seems that most ports worldwide will be moving to a fully vaccinated requirement, which will give cruise lines no option but to require the same from their guests. 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. On March 1, the cruise line also announced its first "fully. NOW WATCH: How 30,000 meals a day are made on the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas. Follow her adventures on Instagram. Be aware that we may not be able to process requests submitted less than 14 days to sailing. Vaccinations are optional. traveling on another booking) remain subject to the standard cancellation penalty schedule. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. In a statement, the cruise lines president and CEO, Michael Bayley, thanked elected officials including Gov. 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. Effective September 3. Offers may be subject to change without notice. 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. This protocol will go into place starting. Everyone has choices. Cruise lines have restricted their ships to only allow adults that are fully vaccinated onboard since sailings restarted in late 2020. Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines sailing with unvaccinated guests have all managed to sail reasonably successfully over the last few months; while a few cases have been reported here and there, there have been no significant outbreaks or other issues onboard. 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. COVID-19 vaccines no longer will be required for Celebrity sailings from European countries with the exception of Iceland and sailings from Los Angeles. Booked guests will be provided full details specific to their port of departure before sailing, Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Lyan Sierra-Caro said in an email. If we are unable to approve your request, you can: *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. The move from Royal Caribbean does not come entirely as a surprise. Share . Samantha started at WKMG-TV in September 2020. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. 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. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. 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. The letter must include the full name and date of birth for the guest requesting the accommodation. Only those guests in the impacted booking are eligible to receive a full refund. Celebrity kept its vaccine requirement for sailings from Florida and a number of other places. Michael Bayley, the president, and CEO for Royal Caribbean, said the following: The Bahamas has introduced an Executive order which only allows cruise ships to enter any Bahamian port (including private destinations) only if all guests over the age of 12 are fully vaccinated. The two . Some ships can hold more than 5,400 passengers at two to a room. Today, Royal Caribbean International premieres, "Making an Icon, Creating Memorable Vacations Responsibly," Royal Caribbean's video series that takes guests behind the scenes on delivering the world's best vacation in 2024. 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. Until now, Royal Caribbean only has allowed unvaccinated passengers under the age of 12 on its ships and only in limited numbers. It wasnt clear Friday how many people would be able to sail on each of the just-announced cruises, which will visit the Caribbean and the Bahamas. 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. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Royal Caribbean said it still needs to complete simulation cruises before getting approval for the sailings it announced Friday. The cruises will depart from Bermuda and the Bahamas, and adult passengers must be. The Bahamian Prime Minister issued an emergency order on August 19, impacting the cruise industry and cruise ships making calls in the Bahamas. Unvaccinated guests age 5 and up will need to test within three days before boarding . Cancel the booking that includes the unvaccinated guest and receive a full refund for the booking. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. By clicking Sign Up, you also agree to marketing emails from both Insider and Morning Brew; and you accept Insiders. 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 Royal Caribbean's announcement did not hint at such concerns. Cruise lines can skip that step if they will have 95 percent of crew and passengers vaccinated. "I didn't like having to do it. Royal Caribbean Vaccine Requirement Update. USA's foreign national vaccine requirement ending May 11. Apr 29, 2023, 6:18 PM. The US is the biggest market for the industry which has been almost completely closed down by the pandemic. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Bahamas and Caribbean cruises that leave from Florida ports the busiest in the world still have vaccine rules in place. Furthermore, besides the cruise industry itself there are a lot of suppliers that are suffering as well.". Reply. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. 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. Vaccines will be needed to get on ships such as Royal Caribbeans Navigator of the Sea, seen here in Miami in March, Royal Caribbean's CEO Richard Fain, wants to "make cruising safer than in your home community", Many unused cruise ships have become attractions, such as Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas, A lack of sailings for ships such as Harmony of the Seas has led Royal Caribbean to lose billions during the pandemic, Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Sea had to be restocked by boat in Sydney in April 2020 after Australia refused permission to dock, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry.
