Posted on 04/27/2021 10:47:51 AM PDT by Capt. Tom
Will you need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise this year?
With a growing number of cruise lines announcing plans to restart operations in the next few months, it’s become a pressing question for cruisers — and the answer isn’t always clear.
In recent weeks, more than a dozen cruise lines have announced plans to require passengers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine before stepping aboard a vessel (including, over the weekend, Disney Cruise Line).
At the same time, a few lines have said they would not require passengers to be vaccinated for COVID-19 — at least for now. But there also are many lines that have yet to announce any sort of decision on the issue.
IN THIS POST Which cruise lines have added a vaccine requirement? AmaWaterways American Cruise Lines American Queen Steamboat Company Avalon Waterways Azamara Carnival Cruise Line Celebrity Cruises Celestyal Cruises Crystal Cruises Cunard Line Disney Cruise Line Emerald Cruises Grand Circle Cruise Line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Holland America Lindblad Expeditions MSC Cruises Norwegian Cruise Line Oceania Cruises Overseas Adventure Travel P&O Cruises Princess Cruises Regent Seven Seas Cruises The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Royal Caribbean Saga Cruises Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours Seabourn Sea Cloud Cruises Silversea Star Clippers Swan Hellenic Tauck UnCruise Adventures Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Victory Cruise Lines Viking Virgin Voyages Windstar Cruises
Which cruise lines have added a vaccine requirement? Cruise lines that have announced a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all or at least some upcoming cruises include American Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Virgin Voyages and Windstar Cruises.
Lines that are restarting operations without requiring passengers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine include MSC Cruises, and German lines TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
Lines that have yet to make a decision on a COVID-19 vaccine requirement include Carnival Cruise Line, Emerald Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
One line, Azamara, is not commenting on its vaccine policy.
Instead of making a COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for cruising, some lines are requiring that passengers show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding a ship.
Some lines, such as Lindblad Expeditions and Disney Cruise Line, are requiring both proof of a COVID-19 vaccine and proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
Other lines, such as Avalon Waterways and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, are requiring either proof of a COVID-19 vaccine or proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
Many of the lines that have not yet announced a policy regarding COVID-19 vaccinations have suggested they will announce one closer to the date when they restart operations.
While a handful of cruise lines have restarted limited operations in Europe and a few other places around the world in recent months, many cruise lines around the world haven’t operated a single departure in more than a year and have canceled all or most of their upcoming departures through at least the end of May or June.
Here’s a line-by-line look at COVID-19 vaccine and testing policies at 39 major ocean and river cruise brands:
AmaWaterways Vaccine required? Under evaluation Note: AmaWaterways has not yet made a decision as to whether or not it will require passengers to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test for COVID-19.
“We are exploring all options regarding vaccination requirements and testing for our guests, but as the situation … continues to evolve quickly, we are not making any final announcements until we are closer to a confirmed restart date,” the line said in a statement sent to TPG. “Our decision will be informed by global medical and scientific experts as well as requirements established by the airlines and the destinations we visit.”
American Cruise Lines Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers on sailings through April 30
Note: American Cruise Lines told TPG it may not require vaccines for all 2021 cruises. Requirements may vary depending on the date of departure and the region cruised. The line is requiring all passengers to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within four days of their trip. Passengers also may be tested upon arrival at their ship.
American Queen Steamboat Company Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers, effective for sailings scheduled for July 1, 2021, and beyond.
Note: The line also is testing passengers for COVID-19 as they arrive for their cruises.
Avalon Waterways Vaccine required? No Alternate requirement: All passengers must show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination to sail or proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken no earlier than 72 hours before travel. Alternately, passengers can show proof that they have recovered from a confirmed case of COVID-19 within three months of travel.
Azamara Vaccine required? No policy Note: A spokesperson for Azamara told TPG the line was not yet ready to release a comment on anything related to vaccines.
Carnival Cruise Line Vaccine required? Under evaluation Note: In a video announcement on March 26, Carnival president Christine Duffy said the line had not made a decision yet on whether it would require passengers to have a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise.
Celebrity Cruises Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers who are 18 years old or older. Passengers under the age of 18 can sail with proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19.
Note: Celebrity only has announced the vaccine requirement for ships taking part in its initial cruising restart scheduled for June, which includes new Caribbean sailings from the island of St. Martin and new Mediterranean sailings from Athens, Greece.
Celestyal Cruises Vaccine required? No Alternate requirement: All passengers will be required to show proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19 taken a maximum of 72 hours before embarkation. This requirement will be waived should qualifying proof of vaccination be provided.
Crystal Cruises Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers
Cunard Line Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers
Note: Cunard only has announced the vaccine requirement for its initial cruising restart schedule for this summer, which will involve cruises around the U.K. for U.K. residents only.
Disney Cruise Line Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers who are 18 years of age or older. Passengers under the age of 18 can sail with proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19.
Note: Disney only has announced the vaccine requirement for passengers taking part in its initial cruising restart scheduled for July in the U.K. The line has not announced whether or not it will require passengers to show proof of vaccination for other sailings.
Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line
Emerald Cruises Vaccine required? Under evaluation Alternate requirement: Emerald will test all passengers for COVID-19 during the embarkation process at the start of cruises.
Note: Emerald has not yet made a decision as to whether or not it will require passengers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination, according to a spokesperson.
Grand Circle Cruise Line Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Vaccine required? No Alternate requirement: All passengers are required to show a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding the vessel. There is also a mandatory screening by thermal cameras for guests before boarding and a daily temperature check on board. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises currently only sail with residents of Germany, Austria and Switzerland for now.
Holland America Vaccine required? No Alternate requirement: All passengers will be required to show proof of a negative PCR test before embarkation.
Note: A Holland America spokesperson tells TPG the line is “closely monitoring the evolving situation with vaccines” and says “decisions will be informed by our global medical and science experts and requirements of the places [where] we operate and visit.”
Lindblad Expeditions Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers who are 16 or older.
Additional requirements: In addition to proof of vaccination, all passengers must show proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19 taken prior to leaving home for their cruise. The line also will test passengers arriving for cruises at the pier for COVID-19 using a rapid antigen test.
MSC Cruises Vaccine required? No Alternate requirement: MSC Cruises has been requiring passengers to test negative for COVID-19 in advance of boarding.
Norwegian Cruise Line Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers on departures through at least Oct. 31.
Note: Norwegian has not yet made a decision about whether passengers will be required to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine on departures beyond Oct. 31.
Oceania Cruises Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers on sailings out of U.S. ports.
Note: Oceania Cruises has not yet said what its COVID-19 vaccine requirements will be on sailings beyond U.S. waters.
Overseas Adventure Travel Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers
P&O Cruises Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers
Princess Cruises Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers
Note: Princess only has announced the vaccine requirement for its initial restart of cruising scheduled for this summer, which will involve cruises around the U.K. for U.K. residents only.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers on sailings out of U.S. ports.
Note: Regent has not yet said what its COVID-19 vaccine requirements will be on sailings outside U.S. waters.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Vaccine required? Under evaluation Note: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has not yet announced whether or not it will require passengers to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test for COVID-19 to sail.
“The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection continues to evaluate all of our options for protecting the wellbeing of our guests … and the communities to which we will sail,” the line said in a statement sent to TPG.
Related: The ultimate guide to The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Royal Caribbean Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers who are 18 or older. Passengers under the age of 18 can sail with proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19.
Note: Royal Caribbean only has announced the vaccine requirement for ships taking part in its initial cruising restart scheduled for June, which includes new Bahamas sailings out of Nassau in the Bahamas, new Bahamas sailings out of Bermuda and new Mediterranean sailings out of Cyprus.
Saga Cruises Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours Vaccine required? Under evaluation Alternate requirement: Scenic will test all passengers for COVID-19 during the embarkation process at the start of cruises.
Note: Scenic has not yet made a decision as to whether or not it will require passengers to show proof of vaccination, according to a spokesperson.
Seabourn Vaccine required? Yes Note: Seabourn has announced a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for initial cruises it plans to operate out of Piraeus, Greece, starting in July. It hasn’t said yet whether it will have a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for other future sailings.
Sea Cloud Cruises Vaccine required? No Alternate requirement: All passengers will be required to show proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19 taken no more than 72 hours before embarkation. A PCR or antigen test will also be performed during embarkation. Only guests with a negative result are allowed to board.
Silversea Vaccine required? Yes Note: Silversea says the requirement will apply to all upcoming Silversea voyages globally with the exclusion of sailings departing from Australia. The line says it still is evaluating health protocols for future Australia sailings.
Star Clippers Vaccine required? Under evaluation Note: Star Clippers has not yet made a decision as to whether or not it will require passengers to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test for COVID-19, according to a spokesperson.
Swan Hellenic Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers
Tauck Vaccine required? No Alternate requirement: All passengers must show proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19 taken a maximum of five days before departing from home for their cruise.
UnCruise Adventures Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers who are 18 years of age or older. Passengers under the age of 18 can sail with proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Vaccine required? No Alternate requirement: Passengers can either show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test (either PCR or rapid) taken within 72 hours of sailing.
Victory Cruise Lines Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers
Viking Vaccine required? Yes Note: Viking only has announced a vaccine requirement for its initial “welcome back voyages” planned for May, June and July around the U.K., Bermuda and Iceland. The line hasn’t said what its longer-term policy will be. The line also has said it would test all passengers for COVID-19 with a PCR test in advance of embarkation and regularly during their sailing. The line has said it expected to do daily testing on board ships initially.
Virgin Voyages Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers
Windstar Cruises Vaccine required? Yes For whom: All passengers
I hope it helps some Freepers in their choice of a cruise line for a this year's cruise. -Tom
sure fire way to put yourselves completely out of business if you mandate vaccines.
Thinkin’ this is what pedo joe and his cabal as well as the globalists are looking for. Basically, you will be excluded from just about anything without proof of shots. I think I just saw something earlier today that said, no shot, no yewrope trips for you. Been there enough times that I don’t need or care to go back. Butt, it will expand to grocery stores, concert venues, stadiums, employers.....
“concert venues, stadiums”
It’s very easy to boycott these places.
“will expand to grocery stores”
It would cost them ~$22/hour for each vaccination card nanny.
This is a restart for many lines that will be restricted to about half the passengers they normally carry. They should be able to meet that with a vaccine requirement.
In the long run I believe like you, that they will not fill the ships too full capacity if the vaccine requirement remains in effect. Only hardcore Cruises will go.
The way it shaping up, people will have to be vaccinated every year as the Covid vaccine appears to wear off yearly. -Tom
Mark of the beast
Even if every single passenger and crew member is fully vaccinated cruise ships are floating petri dishes anyway. My mother was on a cruise in the 60’s where there was an outbreak of some flu-like virus and at least 4 passengers, mostly elderly, died. That was enough to put me off cruises for a lifetime.
And still masking up for the cruise outside the cabin?
Didn’t even need to look at the article, but did anyway.
The short answer is: yes
Not only that, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets to the point where you can’t buy anything online without uploading your proof of vaccination.
Why? Because “public health” and strong-arming
And still masking up for the cruise outside the cabin?
I cannot mask up on a cruise that I am not on. Like I said in my post I have no intention of getting on a cruise ship, COVID or no COVID.
6-6-6
“But, it will expand to grocery stores, concert venues, stadiums, employers.....”
A lot of us could easily divorce ourselves from society and go back to homestead lifestyles and producing our own food/water etc.
But that won’t be allowed either...
Not to mention those pesky Legionnaires breakouts, of decades ago. That did it, for us.
And, having to be stuck on a floating Petri dish, for days/weeks, seeing the same people at every meal.
Just not an appetizing lifestyle, for us. Others can certainly have at. Shot Passports, and all.
I guess they could re-number cruise numbers 😱
I'm one step ahead of them. I don't do any of those things, and don't like cruises. Tried it once, and didn't't care for it, and I'll never have any reason to fly, take a train, or use public transportation ever again.
Are they going to require masks, and social distancing on lifeboats? Asking for a friend.
A negative COVID 19 test before boarding would seem to be pretty useless. Most of the passengers just flew in on an airplane. They would have to be quarantined for a week in order to have a meaningful test. This isn’t going to happen.
We’re long-time Princess passengers. Will be calling them today and be removed from their mailing list.
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