As of September 2022, numerous cruise lines are once again allowing unvaccinated passengers to set sail. Unvaccinated guests will however still need to provide a negative COVID-19 test. Here’s a list of the cruise lines that will set sail with unvaccinated guests.
Azamara
Azamara has announced the removal of its COVID-19 vaccination requirement starting December 1, 2022. This will apply to guests traveling on any Caribbean and European sailings unless required by local regulations. Regardless of vaccination status, Azamara will continue to encourage all guests departing from any port to get tested prior to travel. These results of these tests however will not be required to board the vessel.
Carnival Cruise Line
As of September 6, 2022, Carnival is welcoming unvaccinted guests on board for voyages less than 16 nights and that do not sail to Australia, Bermuda, Canada and Greece. Unvaccinated passengers will be required to present a negative antigen or PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to embarkation.
Celebrity Cruises
From September 5, 2022, on Celebrity Cruises is welcoming unvaccinated guests on most U.S. and European sailings, excluding voyages that visit Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Galapagos, Greece and New Zealand.
Costa Cruises
Costa Cruises has confirmed that from October 8 onwards in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the United Arab Emirates, fully vaccinated guests no longer have to undergo the pre-travel test 48h before departure. In addition, in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, unvaccinated guests will also be allowed to board by bringing with them a negative pre-travel antigen test 48h before departure. For all itineraries that touch ports in Greece, unvaccinated guests can also embark. The 48-hours pre-travel swab should only be carried out by partially vaccinated and unvaccinated guests aged 5 and over.
Holland America Line
Effectively immediately (October 28, 2022), unvaccinated guests sailing on Holland America Line Standard Protocol voyages no longer need a test prior to sailing. Checks of individual guest vaccination status will be discontinued on Standard Protocol voyages as well (unless required by destinations).
Holland America Line’s voyage lookup site continues to offer booked guests a simple way to learn what protocols apply to their cruise. Using the Health Protocols Tool, guests can submit their booking number to see specific protocols for their voyage.
Key facts for Standard Protocol voyages:
- Evidence of vaccination status prior to embarkation is no longer required
- Pre-cruise testing is not required
- The simpler protocols now also include Panama Canal transits up to 15 nights
Guests on Enhanced Protocol voyages will be provided additional information about protocols based on ports visited. Guests can continue to submit documents electronically or use the VeriFLY app ahead of embarkation for a simple and faster check-in process. The cruise line recommends guests visit the TravelWell section of the company’s website for updates prior to cruise departure, as well as instructions on how to provide results of a negative test, where required.
MSC Cruises
For sailings beginning September, MSC Cruises no longer requires U.S. residents to be fully vaccinated and tested prior to sailing. Requirements for non-U.S. residents remain unchanged. Pre-cruise testing is recommended, but not required for travelers who are fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated guests are still required to show proof of vaccination at embarkation. Unvaccinated guests are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test (NAAT or antigen) taken within 3 days of embarkation. Non-U.S. Residents are required to be fully vaccinated and must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test (NAAT or antigen) taken within 3 days of embarkation. All policies are subject to local destination requirements.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Effective October 4, 2022 Norwegian Cruise Line has removed all COVID-19 testing, masking and vaccination requirements. With the easing of the Cruise Line’s health and safety protocols, NCL will continue to follow the travel guidelines as required by the destinations it visits.
Oceania Cruises
Beginning September 3, 2022, for voyages embarking from the United States, unvaccinated guests sailing on Oceania Cruises need to present a negative, medically administered COVID-19 test. Antigen and PCR test results may not be more than 72 hours old at the time of boarding. For voyages embarking from Canada all guests must present a negative, medically administered COVID-19 test. Antigen test results may not be older than 48 hours at the time of boarding and PCR test results may not be more than 72 hours old at the time of boarding.
For voyages embarking from European Union ports and Turkey, with the exclusion of Greece, unvaccinated travelers will need to present a negative, medically administered COVID-19 test. Antigen and PCR test results may not be more than 72 hours old at the time of boarding. For voyages embarking from the United Kingdom or Ireland unvaccinated guests need to present a negative, medically administered COVID-19 test. The Antigen and PCR test results may not be more than 72 hours old at the time of boarding.
Princess Cruises
Beginning October 21, Princess Cruises is lifting its Covid-19 protocols, meaning there are no longer vaccination or testing requirements on most voyages. Guests sailing with Princess Cruises will no longer have to provide a negative test result, regardless of their vaccination status.
The change applies to all itineraries sailing from US and European homeports except destinations where government regulations, such as Australia and New Zealand, may still have their own requirements. A small number of sailings that the cruise line calls “enhanced guidelines voyages” also continue to have their own vaccination and testing requirements.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Starting September 3, 2022, unvaccinated passengers are welcome an board Regent Seven Seas Cruises with proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean will welcome unvaccinated passengers on all sailings that do not visit Australia, Bermuda, Canada or Singapore from September 5, 2022. Unvaccinated passengers must provide a negative COVID-19 test.
Seabourn
As of September 6, 2022, guests on Seabourn sailings under 16 days no longer need to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Unvaccinated guests are required to undergo test, taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure.
Seadream
SeaDream encourages guests to be fully vaccinated but will no longer require proof of vaccination status prior to sailing, conduct COVID-19 antigen tests during the guest embarkation process, nor require guests to test while on board. SeaDream will continue to coordinate with ports and destinations to ensure consistency with local requirements. Because select governments in the Mediterranean and Caribbean have protocols that require proof of vaccination status and/or testing, SeaDream advises all guests to check with their local government resources, airlines, and destination countries for the most current requirements for travel and entry.
Silversea
Effective September 5, Silversea Cruises will welcome all travelers on board its ships regardless of vaccination status where local regulations allow. Silversea Cruises has also adjusted its COVID-19 testing requirements. Where local regulations allow, vaccinated travelers will not be required to take a COVID-19 test prior to embarkation. Unvaccinated travelers may sail aboard Silversea ships by providing proof of a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test within 72 hours prior to embarkation. Testing and vaccination requirements may differ for select destinations based on local regulations, including but not limited to Australia, Canada and Greece. Where tests are required, all guests must provide proof of a negative test result (printed or digital) at embarkation and should travel with a copy of their test result.
Virgin Voyages
Starting on September 18 on Valiant Lady and September 21 on Scarlet Lady, all guests, no matter their vaccination status, are welcome on board Virgin Voyages. Unvaccinated guests are required to bring a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72-hours, or take one at the terminal for a fee of $30 on their embarkation date.
Following the evolving public health situation cruise lines are constantly updating their protocols. For the most recent vaccination policies and testing protocols please visit your cruise line’s website.
Updated October 28, 2022.
It is ridiculous to exempt the “vaccinated” from pre-cruise testing. How many “vaxed” people do you know who have not had Covid? Me :0