Three major cruise companies have declared they will accept self-administered COVID-19 examinations In many instances where rules still apply,
According to a news release, starting on Sept. 6, Carnival Cruise Line will accept unvaccinated passengers’ self-administered tests in addition to lab-administered tests for cruises lasting 15 nights or less.
However, other locations, including Bermuda and Canada, demand that self-tests be under a doctor’s supervision.
A similar modification was also revealed by Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Starting on September 5, both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity will permit passengers on U.S. cruises to take a home test or one that is “professionally given by a health professional.” Local limitations also apply to those adjustments.
The changes came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded its COVID-19 cruise ship program, during which time the lines cut down testing procedures and vaccine requirements for many voyages.
This month, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity made the announcement that they would accept all travelers on various sailings regardless of their level of immunization. Similar statements have also been made by other significant cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises and Holland America Line.
There are certain exclusions, therefore travelers should review the rules of their cruise line. For instance, starting on September 6, Carnival will permit passengers who have not received a vaccine to embark without a vaccine exemption, which is now “restricted to a small number of guests (age five and above),” according to its website. However, sailings lasting 16 nights or more are not included, and the modification is subject to regional laws.
Starting on September 6, Carnival Cruise Line will only need pre-cruise testing for immunized passengers on voyages of 16 nights or more or in cases where local laws require it, such as on sailings to Canada and Bermuda.
In the U.S., passengers under the age of five are excused from vaccination and testing requirements, but they must still “present the results of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within three days of embarkation.”
Royal Caribbean will require vaccinated passengers aged 5 and above to take a pre-cruise test within three days of embarking on U.S. sailings of 10 nights or more beginning September 5. On all sailings, non-immunized passengers 5 and older are required to take a test three days prior to their journey. Local laws apply to the alterations.
According to its website, Celebrity Cruises will only need vaccinated customers to test on cruises that are 10 nights or more within three days of sailing, as of September 5, where local regulations permit. For U.S. sailings, unvaccinated passengers must take a test three days prior to boarding.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. will eliminate all pre-cruise procedures for immunized passengers ages 12 and older, as of September 5.
Guests ages 12 and older who are unvaccinated or do not show proof of vaccination will still need to test within 72 hours before boarding. The company said it “continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel.” Changes are subject to local requirements.
According to a press statement, MSC Cruises demands tests for all unvaccinated passengers age 2 and older, regardless of trip length, and fully vaccinated travelers embarking on voyages lasting six nights or longer on sailings from the U.S. Three days after embarkation is the deadline for testing. When it’s feasible, the cruise line advises passengers to test the day before departure.
Starting September 6, travellers on Princess Cruises’ itineraries that are 16 nights or longer, as well as some other journeys, will need to “take a supervised test within three days of embarkation (guests 5 and older).”
On sailings of 15 nights or less, unvaccinated passengers must present a negative result from a self-test performed within three days of their journey; however, unvaccinated children under five are exempt.
According to a news release, Holland America Line will no longer demand pre-cruise testing for vaccinated passengers on sailings of 15 nights or less. Guests who are not immunized must obtain a negative result from a medically supervised test or a self-test within three days of sailing if they are older than five years old.
On cruises 16 nights or longer, all guests 5 and up must provide “a medically supervised COVID-19 test with written negative result.” Passengers must get tested within three days of embarkation, and unvaccinated travelers will still need an exemption.