Posted on Aug 9, 2022
COVID-19 policies for ocean and river cruise lines differ; bookmark this page to keep track of the following companies’ vaccination policies — it will be updated regularly as regulations change.
- AmaWaterways requires guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to their river cruise.
- Travel entry requirements apply to accompanied minors.
- The criteria for being “fully vaccinated” may vary from country to country; guests are responsible for ensuring they meet the entry requirements of each port country.
- American Cruise Lines guests are required to complete a pre-embarkation health declaration certifying their COVID-19 vaccination status. To be considered fully vaccinated, guests must have received the full regimen of required doses for their vaccine, and provide proof of vaccination. Vaccination requirements may vary depending on the state and region of travel.
- Unvaccinated guests may be subject to additional testing and quarantine requirements.
- Corporate cousin Pearl Seas Cruises requires guests to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and complete a pre-embarkation health declaration certifying their vaccination status.
- Currently, Pearl Mist is the only passenger-carrying vessel designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as “Vaccination Standard of Excellence.”
- American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines) were first to indicate that they would be requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for guests.
- COVID-19 vaccinations are required for both guests and crew.
- Guests must provide vaccination documentation prior to boarding.
- Face coverings are optional for guests and crew onboard, but masks are required for symptomatic guests and crew waiting for COVID-19 test results.
- Atlas Ocean Voyages requires guests and crew to be fully vaccinated.
- Fully vaccinated passengers must also provide a negative PCR test up to 72 hours prior to embarking or a negative antigen test up to 48 hours before boarding. Crew will also perform an additional COVID-19 antigen test on guests at embarkation. Antigen tests will also be conducted for all guests starting on day three of the voyage and at the end of the voyage ahead of disembarkation.
- Staff and crew must be fully vaccinated, must wear face masks onboard and must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of embarkation.
- Ships are operating at 75% capacity or less.
- According to the line, “the cruise brand continues to monitor the ever-changing international travel requirements and will adjust its health and safety protocols as appropriate."
- Aurora Expeditions updated its Health & Safety Program to include mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for guests and crew prior to sailing.
- Booster shots will be required if more than five months have passed after the primary COVID-19 vaccination (and two months after a Johnson & Johnson vaccination).
- Vaccines must be World Health Organization (WHO)-approved and administered at least four weeks prior to sailing date.
- Avalon Waterways will require its guests to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination as part of the health protocols stipulated by its parent company, Globus Family of Brands.
- Requirements may also include a booster shot if it keeps vaccination status current.
- Passengers, except for ineligible children, must complete their inoculations at least 14 days prior to embarkation. The requirement, which applies to all brands within the Globus Family of Brands, will be effective for travel through 2022.
- Guests and crew traveling onboard Azamara must be vaccinated against COVID-19 with a WHO-approved vaccine no later than 14 days prior to departure.
- Booster shots will also be required if guests are eligible for them.
- Crew members are fully vaccinated, boosted and frequently tested.
- As of July 25, the line no longer requires pre-cruise testing unless required by the destination.
- Carnival Cruise Line requires guests to show proof of a final dose of a CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before cruising. Some vaccine exemptions are allowed.
- Carnival recommends booster shots for those eligible.
- As of Aug. 4, the line no longer requires pre-cruise testing for fully vaccinated guests booked on sailings of five nights or less, and pre-cruise testing for trips six nights or longer can be conducted within three days of departure.
- Mask wearing became optional as of March 1. There may be certain venues and events where face coverings are still required.
- All guests of Celebrity Cruises who who are 12 years and older must be vaccinated at least 14 days prior to sailing for all global itineraries.
- For cruises departing U.S. ports as of Aug. 8, pre-cruise testing for fully vaccinated guests is only required for those booked on voyages of six nights or longer.
- Passengers must follow the protocols of each homeport country.
- Face masks are optional.
Original Article: Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations?
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