The letter must be signed by the MD or DO. Adults have needed to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise on all of its itineraries around the world. "We want you to be more comfortable walking onboard a ship than walking down Main Street.". 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. 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 . Royal Caribbean has announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for guests. As you prepare to submit a request for vaccination accommodation, please: How to submit a vaccination accommodation request. From September 3 onwards, and for cruises onboard Allure of the Seas departing Port Canaveral August 22 and August 29 and Symphony of the Seas departing Miami August 21 and August 29, all guests must be fully vaccinated. The major cruise line previously mandated the covid vaccine for crew members only. Whatever the reasoning, for now, it seems that most ports worldwide will be moving to a fully vaccinated requirement, which will give cruise lines no option but to require the same from their guests. All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. Asked about forgeries he replied: "We don't think many people would would even bother to do so. Where they sail: Royal Caribbean sails large ocean ships all over the world, including many popular itineraries throughout the Caribbean and Asia. The policy applied to ships in Florida and Texas, states that recently passed laws against vaccination requirements. "We want you to be more comfortable walking on board a ship than walking down Main Street.". To be considered fully vaccinated by the countries we visit: A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. 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. Royal Caribbean International Premieres "Making an Icon: Creating Change the ship/sail date and submit a new request, if your denial was based on operational capacity. Until now, Royal Caribbean only has allowed unvaccinated passengers under the age of 12 on its ships and only in limited numbers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have removed the COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships as of Monday. The two . Clear editor. With the Bahamas requiring all cruise passengers 12 years old and over to be fully vaccinated, Royal Caribbean has updated its protocols for September. Is climate change killing Australian wine? We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. There have been outbreaks on some of the few cruises that have run around the world since the pandemic began. "If it happens on the ship you'll be treated exactly the same as you are onshore, and that will protect from this becoming a bigger outbreak.". On July 2, Royal Caribbean plans to sail from Miami on the Freedom of the Seas to its private island, CocoCay. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and more to drop vaccination requirements for select sailings. The letter should include a note that the guest is medically fit to travel. "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 in May. In many cases inoculations are recommended, but in some circumstances, they are required by the country from which your cruise departs or countries we visit. Before requesting a vaccination accommodation, there are several things to keep in mind. While the cruise line is almost forced to implement the rules by the Bahamas, earlier this month, the US Virgin Islands implemented the same rules and regulations. Royal Caribbean Vaccine Requirement Update. In February, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told Insider that it will expect . But local rules in some destinations that its ships visit, such as the Caribbean, mean it's not practical to do away with the requirement completely for now. Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley shared some numbers the CDC had given to him, during his remarks to passengers on the 2022 President's Cruise, Royal Caribbean Blog first reported. Unvaccinated guests age 5 and up will need to test within three days before boarding . For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. The full name of the person who needs the accommodation, as the name appears on their reservation, Best phone number to reach the requesting guest (or their legal guardian if they are a minor), Best email to reach the requesting guest or their guardian, should it be different than the one you are emailing from. For guests sailing from Australia, vaccines must be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Shrimp po boys and live music: Big Freedias New Orleans favorites. The CDC has said vaccinated cruise passengers can remove their masks outdoors unless theyre in a crowd. Guests under this age requirement who haven't been vaccinated will instead have to be tested for the virus. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. This protocol will go into place starting Aug. 8. "There will be cases of Covid-19 on board ships, just as there are cases of Covid-19 onshore". Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean, "We are collaborating with local governments throughout the Caribbean to align on vaccination requirements for additional itineraries," Royal Caribbean said in the statement. It has also meant raising more than $12bn from investors to keep the company going. Ron DeSantis to prohibit vaccine requirements, including a recently passed bill that fines businesses $5,000 each time they request proof of vaccination. The reversal comes on the heels of efforts by Florida Gov. Your link has been automatically embedded. The cruise line has announced a further easing of its protocols by dropping the vaccine requirements on select sailings from September 5, 2022. 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 requirements for. Royal Caribbean sister brand Celebrity Cruises made a similar announcement about its COVID-19 vaccine policy late Wednesday, removing its vaccine requirement effective Sept. 5 for some but not all sailings. The US hasn't mandated the COVID vaccine for all eager cruiser goers, but the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that cruise lines with 98% of crew and 95% of passengers vaccinated can skip the "simulated voyages" that would otherwise be necessary for cruise lines to resume "restricted passenger voyages" again. Michael Bayley, the president, and CEO for Royal Caribbean, said the following: The Bahamas has introduced an Executive order which only allows cruise ships to enter any Bahamian port (including private destinations) only if all guests over the age of 12 are fully vaccinated. "Ports around the world are opening up and opening up very quickly. Planning a cruise? The mega cruise line has recently been dabbling with vaccine mandates. NOW WATCH: How 30,000 meals a day are made on the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas. After Friday's announcement, Royal Caribbean's frequently asked questions page has been updated to show that vaccines will only be required for ships departing from Seattle, Washington and the Bahamas. However, Mr Fain doesn't think he will face any staffing shortages. You cannot paste images directly. But at the time, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said these boycott demands were based on a "misconception.". A All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. Your previous content has been restored. Going forward, the cruise . It may be possible for some members of the same travel party to receive an approval and others be denied. In a statement sent to TPG, Royal Caribbean suggested it hoped to eventually make its new "no vaccine required" policy more universal. What vaccines are required to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise? You can also have your local travel agent or International Representative contact us. Mr Fain doesn't think that getting the industry fully up and running depends on the type of documents the airline industry is calling for. What vaccines are required to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise? Royal Caribbean: Avoid Florida If You Want An All-Vaccinated - Forbes Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. This will mean 13 of the company's 59 ships are in operation. Disney and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Will Require Vaccine Seabourn Cruise Line Even those who have gone and found other jobs, say: 'Oh, I'm really happy, I can go back on board.' ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Cruise firm offers 999 free rooms to key workers, AI chatbots 'may soon be more intelligent than us', Russia troop deaths hit 20,000 in five months - US, France May Day protests leave dozens of police injured, 'My wife and six children joined Kenya starvation cult', On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. Readers react to an op-ed on period weirdness after covid vaccines. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! An exception to the new policy is those boarding a ship to Alaska where the cruise line will still require guests 16 and older to be vaccinated, and 12 and older starting Aug. 1. 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. Please note that vaccination accommodated guests must adhere to all health protocols and travel requirements for guests who are not vaccinated as required by the cruise line and at the local, state and national level. In this episode, guests learn more about the environmental programs . Vacationers can finally plan to take their precious time off this summer and truly get away after what has been a challenging time for everyone.. Alternatively it says sailings can resume if 98% of crew and 95% of passengers are vaccinated. I think we are talking about people who are vaccinated, and there are lots of different ways to show that". Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is finally doing away with its COVID-19 vaccine requirement for adults. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Guests can rest assured that their health and safety are our top priority and measures will be communicated in a timely manner ahead of our return to sailing., Latest on the cruise comeback: Rogue wave incident | Overboard passenger saved | Covid hits Sydney cruise | Carnival fining unruly passengers | Unvaccinated passengers welcomed | Cheap cruises | No more CDC stats | Record bookings | Rape lawsuit | Carnival fire | Passenger bill of rights | CDC drops cruise warnings | Passenger overboard | Crystal ships seized, Local guides, travel tips and the latest industry news. Find the right card for you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has kept cruise lines from U.S. sailings since March 2020, has recommended that passengers, crew and port workers be vaccinated. The world's largest cruise line late Wednesday said it was eliminating the requirement only for some of the itineraries it offers around the world. It's why, he says, procedures will be in place to isolate any passengers who show symptoms. Royal Caribbean no longer requires vaccinated guests to take - WKMG By contrast, the company reported a profit of $1.7bn in 2019. - Facial coverings onboard are optional. Save. ", "We've actually surveyed our guests and the vast bulk of the people that have booked our cruises have already been vaccinated, and they're volunteering it, they want it. It stopped them in March last year after deadly outbreaks on ships such as the Grand Princess and the Diamond Princess made international headlines. The move is a reversal from a May policy that mandated vaccines for all travelers over age 16. The new policy, which was announced as the cruise line detailed summer sailings out of Florida and Texas, will allow unvaccinated passengers to board a Royal Caribbean cruise as long as they "undergo testing and follow other protocols." In 2019, of a record 29.7 million people who went on a cruise, 46.5% embarked at a US port. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC), which is the US federal public health agency, has been working closely with the industry to restart sailings. Royal Caribbean senses financial improvements are on the horizon. If you believe that you meet the requirements for a vaccination accommodation, please send an email to vaxaccommodations@rccl.com. 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. A ship can skip the test by adhering to a vaccine threshold that calls for a combined 95% of employees and passengers to be vaccinated. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traveler's health website. Under pandemic-era rules for restarting cruising, ships need to take volunteers on a test cruise to show they can mitigate the risks of covid-19. The twin announcements came just two days after Norwegian Cruise Line and sister lines Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises became the first major cruise brands to announce an end to their COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Along with the USVI order a couple of weeks ago, it means all of our ships sailings from Florida and from all USA ports and ports around the world require all eligible guests to be fully vaccinated. The letter must come from a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). COVID-19 Vaccination is no longer required to sail, with a few exceptions. The cruise line said that it would only "strongly . It wasnt clear Friday how many people would be able to sail on each of the just-announced cruises, which will visit the Caribbean and the Bahamas. When not writing, she enjoys travelling and performing improv comedy. Vaccines have increasingly become a political flashpoint in recent months. 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. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. COVID-19 vaccines no longer will be required for Celebrity sailings from European countries with the exception of Iceland and sailings from Los Angeles. Read about our approach to external linking. Royal Caribbean's vaccine policies out of U.S. and Caribbean ports are remarkably consistent: For cruises from Seattle, guests who are 16 years of age or older must be fully vaccinated. Royal Caribbean just announced 'fully vaccinated' cruises to the Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean became the latest companies to announce that passengers would be required to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination in order to board their cruises. Mr Fain is hopeful that customers will be encouraged to return soon by a range of new safety measures, including reduced capacity, social distancing and enhanced cleaning processes. traveling on another booking) remain subject to the standard cancellation penalty schedule. Also Read: Which Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships Have Resumed Operations? Similarly, passengers 18 years old or older sailing from other international ports will also have to be fully vaccinated. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is dropping its COVID-19 vaccine requirement but there's a catch, This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Royal Caribbean's announcement did not hint at such concerns. 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. Royal Caribbean cruises are back but vaccinations will be optional. Richard Fain, chief executive of Royal Caribbean, told the BBC "we expect all of our guests who are eligible for a vaccine to have it". These Cruise Lines Will Accept At-home Covid Tests for Unvaccinated Passengers, Norwegian Cruises to Allow Unvaccinated Passengers Starting in September, These Major Cruise Lines Just Dropped COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Shorter Sailings What to Know, More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers on Board.