Several people on social media have made calls to boycott cruises with Royal Caribbean after the company announced its new sailings from the Bahamas will require adult guests to be "fully vaccinated against COVID-19" in a statement on Friday. This app allowed us to check in for the voyage, set up an onboard account, fill out a pre-boarding health questionnaire and complete the e-muster drill (which replaces traditional muster drills where people gather in large groups). Cruise giant Royal Caribbean International on Friday announced plans to bring back six more ships including some of its largest for U.S. sailings starting July 2. If not, just leave blank, Royal Caribbean drops pre-cruise testing requirement for almost all cruises, Royal Caribbean Group CEO says decision will be made if covid vaccine will be mandatory to cruise, Royal Caribbean has not decided on any more cancellations following Norwegian Cruise Line announcement, Two crew members with coronavirus evacuated from Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean stock surges after COVID-19 vaccine tests are more than 90% effective, Royal Caribbean bolsters financial situation with $3.48 billion in backup financing, You might have to take a COVID-19 test to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise in the future. 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty spoke about the change during an earnings call with investors earlier this year and said the change is a move to be more like other forms of leisure travel, such as theme parks, casinos, or air travel. Royal Caribbean will require vaccinated guests 5 and older to take a pre-cruise test on sailings from the U.S . Enrollment required. 2023 TheStreet, Inc. All rights reserved. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian all require anyone 12 and older sailing on their ships to be fully. Lindblad, Silversea, Azamara cruise lines will require the additional COVID-19 vaccine dose for those eligible starting March 1. In addition to having more rules in place than some other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean also enforced those protocols more strictly, with crew checking for wristbands in vaccinated-only venues and checking for masks in indoor places accessible to everyone. ", Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. Prior to this sweeping vaccine mandate, Royal Caribbean had been announcing select "fully vaccinated" cruises. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Carnival, Royal Caribbean cruises loosen coronavirus testing rules Norwegian's moves to loosen pandemic-era protocols follow similar decisions by industry leaders Carnival and Royal. Four major cruise lines are dropping their vaccination requirements for some sailings next month, the . Beginning Sept. 5, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity will also accept at-home tests on trips from U.S. ports that don't visit Canada or Bermuda. says. Like what you see? Royal Caribbean International Updates Health Protocols - Cruise Hive Therefore, the chances of someone bringing the virus on board a cruise ship is still quite high. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. Royal Caribbean has made it a practice to provide periodic . When you strongly recommend that proper clothing be worn to a business meeting, technically that slingshot mankini is still fair game. When I arrived at the Port of Miami, I had to pass through a checkpoint. It is especially important that people with an increased risk of severe illness avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises.". You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. After 14 days pass, you can get onboard on Day 15. 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. Currently, Celebrity requires all guests 12 and older to be fully vaccinated to sail. On Friday, Royal Caribbean announced new seven-night cruises aboard the Adventure of the Seas cruise ship that will depart from Nassau in the Bahamas starting in June. 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. I just disembarked Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, the line's first cruise ship to sail from a U.S. port in more than 15 months. That means, as of July 1, the Florida state government could . Further, unvaccinated guests may embark with a negative . Guests under this age requirement who haven't been vaccinated will instead have to be tested for the virus. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Of course, nothing is foolproof: Royal Caribbean recently canceled the first sailings of its newest ship, Odyssey of the Seas, after eight crew members tested positive for Covid; six were. sailings.". TPG values it at $1,600. Mexico Plans on Increasing Protocols for Incoming Tourists, Could This If they are more likely, then you could easily end up on a ship where less than half of the passengers are fully vaccinated. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. If youre planning to sail on a Disney Cruise out of Port Canaveral, youre more than likely making a stop at Disneys private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay. "This Order introduces a phased approach for resuming passenger cruises. Children will be allowed to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within . 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. . Boarding Requirements FAQ | Royal Caribbean Cruises Watch News 6 as they cover breaking local, regional, and national news, plus the latest updates on weather, traffic and sports. Unvaccinated passengers can cruise with negative results from any commercially available test, including self-tests. In a press release Friday announcing . 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. 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. 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. Unfortunately, the announcement didn't come in time for this voyage. 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. Vaccinated guests aged 12 and over will no longer have any pre-cruise COVID-19 related protocols. "The new itineraries departing through August, which will sail with vaccinated crew, will be available to adult guests who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and those under the age of 18 with negative test results," the statement said. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Richard Fain, chief executive of Royal Caribbean, told . 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. That was about three weeks ago (June 28) and the CDC ruling suggests that the testing requirement could change in August, but almost certainly will by September. News 6 is Getting Results. Rather, we focus on discussions related to local stories by our own staff. I will not do business with anyone requiring a vaccine," in a post that received over 130 likes since it was first shared. On CocoCay, everyone was allowed to go ashore on their own and no masks were required. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images), Florida Gov. Royal Caribbean drops vaccine requirement for certain cruise ship The major cruise line previously mandated the covid vaccine for crew members only. It can be professionally proctored at your doctor or drugstore, or it can be a test you administer to yourself at home without supervision. Apparently, Dolven is referring to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signing into law a ban on Covid-19 "vaccine passports.". 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. 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. About half of the U.S. population is now fully vaccinated, which means plenty of people still have not been vaccinated. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. "And the number of people who died from COVID who'd sailed on ships over the past year was two," Royal Caribbean Blog reported. The travel company announced on Friday that an additional six ships will resume trips from US ports in Florida and Texas starting in July and August. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). Silversea, Azamara, Lindblad, and Viking will require the additional COVID-19 vaccine dose. That's likely only partly true because Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and the rest of the industry must also be protective of optics -- they want the easiest, most inclusive rules, but they also want customers to feel safe. 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. "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. The tweet received at least 145 likes since it was first posted. Ron DeSantis recently signed into law, a ban on "vaccine passports" that would find businesses $5,000 each time they required proof of Covid-19 vaccination to use their services. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Once you are on a cruise ship how can you then tell who should be following additional precautions such as wearing face masks and staying at least six feet or one Denzel (because Denzel Washington is about six feet tall) away from others? Do children need to be vaccinated to cruise? All but 1 major line say COVID-19 Protocols, Listed by Cruise Line | TravelAge West Vaccination Form | Royal Caribbean Cruises Cruise Ship Travel During COVID-19 | CDC And that could be a real ship storm, so to speak. The 14 day time period starts the day you get your last dose. Royal Caribbean Cruises 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. Currently the CDC recommends that "all people avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide, because the risk of COVID-19 on cruise ships is very high. Royal Caribbean won't require vaccinations on U.S. cruises, except in Time is running out on free COVID tests and vaccines; what then. When Royal Caribbean resumed cruises in 2021, Covid-19 protocols were a major component to the onboard experience. I will be boycotting the company instead. Maarten.". Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Action Alerts PLUS is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc. . 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. User @HardLinesBlog tweeted: "I'm saying goodbye to all venues moving to this requirement," in response to the tweet by @drsimonegold. These Cruise Lines Will Require a Booster Shot to Board - Travel Wristbands were also diligently checked in spaces intended for vaccinated cruisers. Since then, more itineraries opened up to unvaccinated cruisers. As summer travelers prepare to sail, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is lowering its threshold for cruise ships to meet a highly vaccinated status. 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. 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. Heres a hint. 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. It is unclear if cruise companies will be allowed to ask passengers if they have been vaccinated as part of the boarding process, even if they dont require vaccination to board. 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. Business reporter, BBC News. Some destinations may also require testing, so no change in policy is likely to be absolute, but the CDC's decision does seem to pave the way for the cruise lines to mostly drop the testing requirement. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Ron DeSantis bars businesses, schools and government entities across Florida from asking anyone to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. 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. - Only non-vaccinated guests will be required to present a negative test (an antigen test taken within 48 hours or a PCR test taken within 72 hours) to board. User @FunTimeFred1 wrote: "I'm 100% with you, Simone Any company that make this a requirement will go bust," in a reply to the message by @drsimonegold. Our intention is to comply with all federal, state and local laws, she said via email. Essentially, while the CDC set parameters, the cruise lines have been policing themselves for months. ", "This means that we're transitioning to the point where everyone will be able to vacation with us while always working with our destination partners to meet their regulations.". Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. One can download it through The app or from browser on The phone, and there is this QR-code to "check" it. Passengers no longer have to wear masks onboard while they are indoors, and while capacities have not returned to 100% . 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. #BoycottRC." The Miami Herald reported that Royal Caribbean International previously planned to only allow vaccinated passengers onto its ships, but announced in a Friday press release that they were. "Lindblad Expeditions has announced that effective March 1, 2022, all guests 12 years of age and over who completed their primary vaccination series more than 5 months ago, are required to present proof of booster prior to embarkation," the cruise line said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure. For cruises longer than 16 nights self-testing is not accepted for unvaccinated travelers. 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. NOTE: All Royal Caribbean guests aged 12 and older must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing. The cruise line said that it would only "strongly". No Covid test, proof of vaccination or quarantine is required. Now, Royal Caribbean drops vaccine requirements for some cruises as well. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. As a side note, the ship's Windjammer buffet was not open for dinner during the sailing. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. As part of the Australian Federal and State Government protocols all Changes involve the cruise line eliminating the vaccinated and unvaccinated areas onboard its ships. Bayley said during the President's Cruise that testing would "be around for another couple of months.". 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. Ron DeSantis maintains a threat of fines under an executive order banning "vaccine passports."

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