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. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. CDC will continue to publish guidance to help cruise ships continue to provide a safer and healthier environment for passengers, crew and communities going forward. says. No Covid test, proof of vaccination or quarantine is required. 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. However, passengers on U.S.-based voyages should be aware that protocols are likely to differ by cruise line, ship and departure state. MAGAs are starting to boycott Royal Caribbean because they are requiring vaccinations for adult passengers and crew members when they start sailing again in June. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 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. When not writing, she enjoys travelling and performing improv comedy. Royal Caribbean has greatly relaxed its covid 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. As a side note, the ship's Windjammer buffet was not open for dinner during the sailing. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. "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. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. ", Odyssey of the Seas: "May 9 to October 28, 2021 sailings departing from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy. "And the number of people who died from COVID who'd sailed on ships over the past year was two," Royal Caribbean Blog reported. 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. 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. Ron DeSantis maintains a threat of fines under an executive order banning "vaccine passports." Enrollment required. For more information, please see here . . 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. 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. Richard Fain, chief executive of Royal Caribbean, told . "Due to evolving health protocols, imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. The venue was open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers. Strongly recommended is certainly different from required. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Royal Caribbean made headlines a week ago when it announced that it would begin sailing from Florida in early July with ships where vaccinations would be recommended but not required. Unfortunately, the announcement didn't come in time for this voyage. Reminders going from indoors to outdoors and vice-versa were especially helpful. One can download it through The app or from browser on The phone, and there is this QR-code to "check" it. Royal Caribbean recommends guests be fully vaccinated and boostered against Covid19. It is especially important that people with an increased risk of severe illness avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises.". Similarly, on Silversea the new policy mandates that eligible passengers must receive a booster "provided the required time has passed after the completion of their primary COVID-19 vaccination series. "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. Wristbands were also diligently checked in spaces intended for vaccinated cruisers. Find the right card for you. Royal Caribbean Shares Huge News on Covid Testing, Vaccine Rules President Michael Bayley gave some straight answers on pre-cruise covid testing and potentially dropping vaccine. ", Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the company said in a statement. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. This protocol will go into place starting Aug. 8. Please complete the short form below. Joe Raedle / Getty . - As of the winter 2022 Caribbean and Central America season, Star Clippers no longer requires COVID-19 vaccinations for passengers. Since then, more itineraries opened up to unvaccinated cruisers. On CocoCay, everyone was allowed to go ashore on their own and no masks were required. The cruises will depart from Bermuda and the Bahamas, and adult passengers must be. As on most ships these days, there were also Purell hand sanitizer dispensers at the entrances to all restaurants, bars, lounges and other public areas, as well as in stairwells and elevator alcoves. The new protocols will not apply to cruises that visit Bermuda or Canada where testing and vaccine rules will still apply. But there is an important difference between wearing a slingshot mankini and being fully vaccinated. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. The cruise line will still require unvaccinated guests and vaccinated guests embarking on cruises six nights or longer, to take a COVID-19 test within three days of their departure date. Maarten.". Crew will be tested regularly while on board. All guests aged 4 and older are required to have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding. This insurance would cover the cost of repatriation on a private charter flight and/or medical care if they tested positive during the sailing. 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? There were physical check-in desks, but I checked in using the app, so I headed straight for the area where port workers were scanning digital SetSail Passes. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian all require anyone 12 and older sailing on their ships to be fully. 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). We didn't need a card at all because for the most part they don't require masks anymore. That means, as of July 1, the Florida state government could . Passengers no longer have to wear masks onboard while they are indoors, and while capacities have not returned to 100% . TPG values it at $1,600. St. Maarten / St. Martin : open to vaccinated and unvaccinated . NOW WATCH: This is what it takes to be a cruise ship performer. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Guests who have certain pre-existing medical conditions,. It is typically fairly obvious if someone is wearing a slingshot mankini. 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. #CancelCulture. ", "At Silversea, our top priority has always been to safeguard the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit," the company wrote. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. 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. Royal Caribbean wont require passengers to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 on select sailings beginning in September. Follow her adventures on Instagram. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. At this checkpoint, an agent told me that if I wanted to present a vaccine card, that was the time to do so. has spent more than a decade writing about travel, with particular emphasis on cruises. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. When I learned that the line would be creating some separate spaces and mandating masks, I wondered if the rules would be enforced and, if so, how strictly. 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. Guests can take advantage of in-person, telehealth, and self-swab tests. Royal Caribbean recommends guests be fully vaccinated and boostered against Covid19. Outside of the current welcome bonus, youre only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so its not a great card for other spending categories. Both crew members and guests over 16 years old will have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to sail on the . Lindblad, Silversea, Azamara cruise lines will require the additional COVID-19 vaccine dose for those eligible starting March 1. Following August 1, this age requirement will fall to 12 years old or older. After all, rarely do you hear someone ask, is that person wearing a full business suit or just a suspender man thong? 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. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 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. 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. "I'm skeptical that's going to change in the real short term. 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. . That's why precruise testing is likely to go away but the vaccination requirement for all passengers ages 12 and over will remain. Guests under the age of 12 do not have any testing requirements. Offers may be subject to change without notice. News 6 is Getting Results. Changes involve the cruise line eliminating the vaccinated and unvaccinated areas onboard its ships. At this time, only the following sailings have COVID-19 vaccination requirements: Guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to sail: Cruises from Australia Learn more about cruising from Australia Transatlantic and Transpacific Sailings Check here before booking an award fare. For example, | Become a News 6 Insider (its free!)]. For more information on protocols specific to your sailing, visitGetting Ready To Cruise. Starting July 2, Royal Caribbean ships will not be requiring passengers to have covid vaccines for sailings from the U.S. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. Unfortunately, the announcement didn't come in time for this voyage. Under the law, which takes effect on July 1, businesses can be fined up to $5,000 per violation. On March 1, the cruise line also announced its first "fully vaccinated" cruise aboard the Odyssey of the Seas, which will be sailing in May from Israel. 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 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. 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. 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. Gee, what could possibly go wrong? This includes more contagious variants that now have sorority and fraternity sounding names, as I recently covered for Forbes. Does that mean covid-testing requirements and vaccine mandates will be dropped? An aerial view of Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Sea cruise ship docked in Miami, Florida on March 2. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Thats what you may see as soon as next month with the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic still a public health emergency. 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. 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. Bayley said during the President's Cruise that testing would "be around for another couple of months.". Over the past few months that program became voluntary and masks went away while other restrictions eased. User @HardLinesBlog tweeted: "I'm saying goodbye to all venues moving to this requirement," in response to the tweet by @drsimonegold. Unvaccinated guests will be allowed to use the results of a self-administered test if taken within three days of sailing. "We're making it easier for more guests to sail with Royal Caribbean. 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 members were also positioned at the entrances to restaurants, the theater and even at the Freestyle soda machines to push the buttons for passengers. 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. 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. Or do we need the physical card? 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. But against the context of everything we've seen, [that's] truly been a remarkable success.". In order to board these ships, all adults, including the crew, will be required to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. $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. Royal Caribbean sent out an update on Wednesday with new protocols that have removed the need to conduct a pre-cruise Covid-19 test, even if you are unvaccinated. As part of the Australian Federal and State Government protocols all Royal Caribbean will accept a variety of tests as proof to board, including simply taking a photo of a self-administered home test, a new rule that Bayley also noted on social media. While vaccination is not required, they kindly ask passengers to disclose their vaccine status during check-in. Under the current voluntary CDC guidelines, 95% of passengers must be vaccinated. 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. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. All Guests, All Aboard," Royal Caribbean's President and CEO Michael Bayley wrote on Facebook. These Major Cruise Lines Just Dropped COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Shorter Sailings What to Know, Norwegian Cruises to Allow Unvaccinated Passengers Starting in September, Uniworld to Become One of the First River Cruises to Drop Vaccine Requirements next Year, More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers on Board, Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing, These Cruise Lines Will Accept At-home Covid Tests for Unvaccinated Passengers, Will I Need a Booster Shot to Travel? Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. 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. Airplanes, theme parks, casinos, and hotels no longer require any such Covid protocols and have not had any requirements for months. Each person sailing was required to download the Royal Caribbean app. The tweet received at least 145 likes since it was first posted. WOW: @RoyalCaribbean cruises is now requiring you to get an experimental vaccine to book a cruise with them. The CDC has dropped its voluntary program to monitor cruise ships. In Nassau, vaccinated passengers were allowed to explore however they wished, but unvaccinated cruisers were required to take ship-sponsored excursions to leave the ship. Feel free to visitourFAQsfor full details on vaccination requirements. October 15th or later. regardless of vaccination status, can cruise on the . Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. I saw a couple of crew members nicely ask passengers to pull their masks up over their noses in public spaces (and they complied). The about-face is an apparent submission to Gov. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. 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. #CancelCulture." Additionally, Celebrity Cruises will allow unvaccinated travelers starting Sept. 5 on all cruises that depart from a U.S. or European port, excluding cruises that visit Canada, according to the company. But keeping track of which places were which on this voyage made my head spin. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. The SARS-CoV2 is still actively spreading in the U.S. and throughout different parts of the world. Health, Travel & Risk Acknowledgement. Royal Caribbean International's 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. The agency currently recommends all travelers are "up to date" with their COVID-19 vaccines before boarding a cruise. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. 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. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Coronavirus has infected more than 123.3 million people, including over 29.8 million in the U.S., since it was first reported in Wuhan, China. With few exceptions, Royal Caribbean has dropped its pre-cruise testing requirements across the board. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. "Boosters can be received any time prior to embarkation. 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. In the testing area, they were each given an on-site rapid antigen test. Starting September 5, 2022, all guests can sail with Royal Caribbean, regardless of vaccination status. as well as other partner offers and accept our. The post received nearly 100 likes since it was first tweeted. Does that mean covid-testing requirements and vaccine mandates will be dropped? Starting Sept. 5, Royal Caribbean will welcome both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers of all ages, according to the cruise line. Viking Cruises already has the booster requirement in place. Hawaii. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. ", Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion, Quantum of the Seas: "Alaska sailings departing April 5 to October 14, 2021: In order to allow additional time for our preparation, Quantum of the Seas will remain in the Asia-Pacific region. And that could be a real ship storm, so to speak. This bracelet allowed me to access areas of the ship reserved for vaccinated passengers. Long story short: They were, very strictly. Get ready for cruise ships carrying people who are not vaccinated against Covid-19. Now, Royal Caribbean drops vaccine requirements for some cruises as well. Unvaccinated travelers (who are 5 and older on most U.S. sailings and 12 and older on select European sailings) will be required to get tested within three days of boarding. Many and most of the destinations that we visit require a high degree of vaccination, and they expect our crew to be vaccinated.". I showed mine, and the agent gave me a purple rubber bracelet to wear. Lyan Sierra-Caro, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean International, said the plans to require passengers be vaccinated that the company submitted to the CDC only applied to its test cruises. A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. It can be professionally proctored at your doctor or drugstore, or it can be a test you administer to yourself at home without supervision. It felt normal in many ways, but compared to two other recent cruises I took, it was a bit more controlled. Heres a hint. Business reporter, BBC News. The cruise company's new sailings from the Bahamas will require all adult guests "to be . On a practical level, the CDC had been tracking serious illness and death and the numbers were very encouraging. Our intention is to comply with all federal, state and local laws, she said via email. 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.. Previously, the website said passengers 16 years old and older on all of the companys U.S. cruises had to meet the requirement. 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. Like what you see? These may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice. "Two is terrible. However, the cruise ship company has now done an a boat face, so to speak. 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. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. Vaccinated travelers will not be required to get tested for cruises that are 9 nights or less. This will continue to evolve as new research and technology becomes available," the spokesperson added. Her favorite cities include London; Amsterdam; Krakow, Poland; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Dawson City, Yukon; and anywhere known for outstanding pizza and theater. Royal Caribbean International has announced updated protocols for the United States, Puerto Rico, and Barbados-based cruises through March 31, 2022. 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. The cruise line said that it would only "strongly". Royal Caribbean has announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for guests. Enrollment required. 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. The summer cruises announced by Royal Caribbean International Friday are still pending approval from the CDC after each ship successfully completes a test cruise with volunteer passengers. A Country-by-country Guide, Carnival Cruise Line to Lift Mask Requirement on Board Starting March 1, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Will No Longer Require Face Masks, Spain Now Requires Booster Shot For Travelers What To Know, Every Caribbean Island's COVID-19 Travel Policies and What You Need to Know to Plan Your Trip, Anguilla Becomes Latest Caribbean Island to Ease Entry Protocols for Vaccinated Visitors, Traveling to Italy Just Got Easier With Easing of COVID-19 Testing Requirements, Countries That Are Open to COVID-19 Vaccinated Travelers, A Country-by-country Guide to COVID-19 Entry Requirements in Europe, made its guidance optional for cruise lines. Under the voluntary program, the CDC had been tracking covid levels on ships, assigning color levels based on positive tests and exposures. Learn more. 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 test cruises will show whether ships can sail safely and follow CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You're supposed to take a covid test two days before either at a testing center or with a proctored testing kit that they sell on their website and the test kit does have an app to show your results. 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. MIAMI Royal Caribbean International will no longer require any of its cruise passengers to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as it had previously planned to. Unvaccinated travelers can join us for almost all U.S. This includes unsupervised testing. 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. 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.

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