How do you count the 14 days for full vaccination, exactly? Interestingly, certain shows -- such as the ice show in Studio B -- required reservations due to their lower capacity. 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. Charleston. Without very high vaccination rates among passengers and crew members, it can be difficult for a cruise ship to prevent the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) once the virus has made it on board. On May 26, the cruise line updated its website to say that passengers 16 years old and older on its cruises from Seattle and The Bahamas are required to be vaccinated. 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. 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. Currently, Celebrity requires all guests 12 and older to be fully vaccinated to sail. Royal Caribbean has updated its healthy sail protocols. "Two is terrible. User @HardLinesBlog tweeted: "I'm saying goodbye to all venues moving to this requirement," in response to the tweet by @drsimonegold. Several cruise lines including Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages have already mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for its guests, crew, or both. You're supposed to take a covid test two days before either at a testing center or with a proctored testing kit that they sell on their website and the test kit does have an app to show your results. October 15th or later. Currently, Royal Caribbean requires travelers 12 and older to be vaccinated on U.S. cruises. A line-by-line guide, 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise, Cruise hack: 6 ways to turn a voyage on a mass-market ship into a luxury experience, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Visitors must still fill out a health screening form prior to arrival. Following August 1, this age requirement will fall to 12 years old or older. Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date.. Gee, what could possibly go wrong? A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. People still get covid, as do crew members, but only two people have died, and very few have gotten seriously ill. Thats Tauck "This Order introduces a phased approach for resuming passenger cruises. These may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice. Samantha started at WKMG-TV in September 2020. Like what you see? Lindblad, Silversea, Azamara cruise lines will require the additional COVID-19 vaccine dose for those eligible starting March 1. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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. "And the number of people who died from COVID who'd sailed on ships over the past year was two," Royal Caribbean Blog reported. It is typically fairly obvious if someone is wearing a slingshot mankini. Follow her adventures on Instagram. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. - As of the winter 2022 Caribbean and Central America season, Star Clippers no longer requires COVID-19 vaccinations for passengers. (Photo by Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images) Due to changing vaccine regulations in the Bahamas, which is a frequent stop for many cruise lines, Royal Caribbean's policy for voyages leaving from Florida will now be the same as its policy for those from all other U.S. embarkation ports -- proof of inoculation is required -- from Sept. 3 through at least Nov. 1, 2021. "We want you to be more comfortable. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. says. So, is the Florida government essentially not allowing businesses to do something that would help keep their customers and staff safer? The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. updated guidance from the major cruise line. Vaccines, however, have clearly helped limit the number of severe cases onboard, and showing vaccination cards is a much smaller ask of passengers than requiring them to get tested no more than two days before their cruises. Under the current voluntary CDC guidelines, 95% of passengers must be vaccinated. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. No testing is required for vaccinated passengers on voyages of nine nights or fewer. User @joanwetz agreed with the boycott, noting: "I am. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. Caribbean. Many and most of the destinations that we visit require a high degree of vaccination, and they expect our crew to be vaccinated.". Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. The only guests who will need to test . For non-U.S. guests, the line will also accept Astra-Zeneca.". box below. Cruises from Australia are also not included in this policy change. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. Feel free to visitourFAQsfor full details on vaccination requirements. I noticed that the areas reserved for vaccinated passengers were rarely, if ever, crowded. 1:03 Royal Caribbean International is resuming cruises aimed at U.S. vacationers this summer - with a twist. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. ", Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion, Quantum of the Seas: "Alaska sailings departing April 5 to October 14, 2021: In order to allow additional time for our preparation, Quantum of the Seas will remain in the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to this change, unvaccinated guests had to take a Covid-19 test before their cruise. Starting September 5, 2022, all guests can sail with Royal Caribbean, regardless of vaccination status. 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. Under the voluntary program, the CDC had been tracking covid levels on ships, assigning color levels based on positive tests and exposures. The about-face is an apparent submission to Gov. "We're making it easier for more guests to sail with Royal Caribbean. Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. regardless of vaccination status, can cruise on the . I saw a couple of crew members nicely ask passengers to pull their masks up over their noses in public spaces (and they complied). Carnival will follow with the same at-home test allowance on Sept. 6. Royal Caribbean expects to require its crew members to receive the vaccine before sailings return, a spokesperson told Insider. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Symphony of the Seas (WPLG) Royal Caribbean announced Thursday it's no longer requiring vaccinated guests to take a COVID-19 test prior to embarking on. All rights reserved. Adventure of the Seas: "June 5 to October 14, 2021: Instead of offering sailings from Barcelona, Spain, Adventure of the Seas will now offer sailings from Nassau, Bahamas beginning June 2021," the company said. . Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. A positive test would preclude them from embarking on the cruise. Guests under the age of 12 do not have any testing requirements. The 14 day time period starts the day you get your last dose. After all, enormous amounts of open space may not be the first thing that you think of when it comes to cruise ships. I showed mine, and the agent gave me a purple rubber bracelet to wear. 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. "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. 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). Royal Caribbean cruises are back but vaccinations will be optional. Royal Caribbean Internationals sister brand Celebrity Cruises (both owned by Royal Caribbean Group) is still requiring all passengers 16 years old or older be vaccinated on its seven-night Caribbean cruises that are restarting from Port Everglades on June 26. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. We would appreciate if you could take a moment to provide your COVID-19 vaccination status ahead of your cruise. 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. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Symphony of the Seas, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed, voluntary COVID-19 reporting program for cruise ships. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). #BoycottRC." The new protocols will not apply to cruises that visit Bermuda or Canada where testing and vaccine rules will still apply. Follow her adventures on Instagram. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. 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. More than 2.7 million people have died worldwide and more than 69.9 million have recovered as of Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. That's why precruise testing is likely to go away but the vaccination requirement for all passengers ages 12 and over will remain. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Credit card showdown: Alaska Airlines Visa vs. Alaska Airlines Business Visa, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know, 21 new Hyatt hotels where you can get 500 extra points per night. Testing Requirements: All guests 2 and older are required to submit a negative test regardless of vaccination status. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Regardless of the rules, passengers are sure to have a good time. Silversea, Azamara, Lindblad, and Viking will require the additional COVID-19 vaccine dose. 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. 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. Royal Caribbean has updated its COVID-19 protocols to allow more people to sail on their ships, according to the RoyalCaribbeanblog. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention kept Royal Caribbean (RCL) - Get Free Report, Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) - Get Free Report, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) - Get Free Report and every other cruise line from sailing from ports in the U.S. from March 2020 through July 2021. 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. Four major cruise lines are dropping their vaccination requirements for some sailings next month, the . The post received over 8,100 likes and over 2,300 retweets since it was first posted on Saturday. Check here before booking an award fare. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. The cruise line said that it would only "strongly". I am a writer, journalist, professor, systems modeler, computational and digital health expert, avocado-eater, and entrepreneur, not always in that order. Joe Raedle / Getty . Before the tracking system was removed, basically every ship in the program was at the "orange" level, which in theory triggered a CDC investigation. Rather, we focus on discussions related to local stories by our own staff. "Due to evolving health protocols, imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. 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. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Since September 2022,all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, were able to cruise on most itineraries, as long as they meet testing requirements to board. That means, as of July 1, the Florida state government could . When I reached the third floor on my way to the gangway, I passed by a small waiting area with several groups of bored-looking people. 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. If your Royal Caribbean cruise visits Labadee, Roatan, or somewhere in Colombia, then unvaccinated will still need to test. 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. The tweet received at least 145 likes since it was first posted. Up until now, only unvaccinated guests under the age of 12 have been allowed on Royal Caribbean ships. Ron DeSantis, who has insisted that there will be no exception made for cruise companies to a newly passed Florida law that fines companies $5,000 each time they ask a patron to provide proof of vaccination. CDC will continue to publish guidance to help cruise ships continue to provide a safer and healthier environment for passengers, crew and communities going forward. For more information on protocols specific to your sailing, visitGetting Ready To Cruise. No, you need to bring the card. Vaccinated-only areas included the spa, casino, fitness center (during most operating hours), Izumi sushi and hibachi, Chef's Table and the lower decks of the main dining room and theater. Viking Cruises already has the booster requirement in place. Masks were not required outdoors or while eating or drinking, but I found myself constantly worrying about whether I needed to have a mask on or not. It doesn't have anything to do with vaccinations directly, but I think it's worth a mention since it's a change that didn't exist on my first two sailings. if you received your final dose on October 1st, your 14 day countdown ", "At Silversea, our top priority has always been to safeguard the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit," the company wrote. Virgin Voyages Becomes First Major Cruise Line to Eliminate Pre-embarkation COVID Testing in the U.S. Margaritaville at Sea Becomes Latest Cruise Line to Ease Pre-boarding COVID Testing Requirement, Where Can Americans Travel Right Now? Royal Caribbean has announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for guests. Requiring passengers to be fully vaccinated would be one of the best ways of preventing an outbreak. Plus Ups are excluded. Unvaccinated guests will be allowed to use the results of a self-administered test if taken within three days of sailing. Unvaccinated passengers can cruise with negative results from any commercially available test, including self-tests. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Bayley said during the President's Cruise that testing would "be around for another couple of months.". [TRENDING: Is it illegal in Florida to back into a parking space? These Countries Require It for Entry, Where Can Americans Travel Right Now? Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. MIAMI Royal Caribbean International will no longer require any of its cruise passengers to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as it had previously planned to. 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. 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. 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. With few exceptions, Royal Caribbean has dropped its pre-cruise testing requirements across the board. Royal Caribbean. At this checkpoint, an agent told me that if I wanted to present a vaccine card, that was the time to do so. The answer rhymes with Tom Cruise lips, kangaroos hips, and too much booze slips. Yes, cruise ships, as Victoria Forster described for Forbes in March 2020. After 14 days pass, you can get onboard on Day 15. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Crew members were also positioned at the entrances to restaurants, the theater and even at the Freestyle soda machines to push the buttons for passengers. This decision seems shocking only because the CDC, at least during the period where the cruise industry was shut down from U.S. ports, seemed to have an adversarial relationship with the companies it regulated. ", "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.". Sign up for notifications from Insider! Many cruise fans and potential passengers may expect that this CDC decision means that vaccine requirements and precruise testing may soon go away. 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. Strongly recommended is certainly different from required. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Starting July 2, Royal Caribbean ships will not be requiring passengers to have covid vaccines for sailings from the U.S. The SARS-CoV2 is still actively spreading in the U.S. and throughout different parts of the world. 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. After all, rarely do you hear someone ask, is that person wearing a full business suit or just a suspender man thong? Travel agents and guests were notified of the change in policy. #CancelCulture." 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. | Trust Index: Do COVID booster shots make you more susceptible to the virus? Here, I'll explain how various facets of the sailing look for both vaccinated and unvaccinated cruisers. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. And that could be a real ship storm, so to speak. Lyan Sierra-Caro, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean International, said the plans to require passengers be vaccinated that the company submitted to the CDC only applied to its test cruises. They waved me through to security, where my carry-on was screened. When I arrived at the Port of Miami, I had to pass through a checkpoint. Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. 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. These restrictions include wearing a mask in most public spaces and limitations on areas and services unvaccinated passengers can access. Royal Caribbean no longer says Florida cruise passengers must receive the coronavirus vaccine, instead noting the shots are "strongly recommended." The reversal comes as Gov. Currently, the company requires all guests to "be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before sailing with all required COVID-19 vaccine doses" and "strongly" recommends guests receive the booster shot. "We want you to be more comfortable walking on board a ship than walking down Main Street," Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean's CEO, told the BBC. Editorial disclaimer: 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. Vacation cruising has nearly returned to normal. Unvaccinated adults and vaccine exemptions. When you strongly recommend that proper clothing be worn to a business meeting, technically that slingshot mankini is still fair game. All Guests, All Aboard," Royal Caribbean's President and CEO Michael Bayley wrote on Facebook. The Miami-based operator. Does that mean covid-testing requirements and vaccine mandates will be dropped? 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. Royal Caribbean sent out an update on Wednesday with new protocols that have removed the need to conduct a pre-cruise Covid-19 test, even if you are unvaccinated. 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'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. This closure is related to staffing and the logistics of keeping passengers socially distanced, despite the fact that the ship was sailing at less than 30% capacity and 93% of passengers were vaccinated. 2023 TheStreet, Inc. All rights reserved. Health, Travel & Risk Acknowledgement. St. Maarten / St. Martin : open to vaccinated and unvaccinated . 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 summer cruises announced by Royal Caribbean International Friday are still pending approval from the CDC after each ship successfully completes a test cruise with volunteer passengers. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider The new Florida law can leave businesses like cruise ship lines caught between a rock and a hard place. The graphic below, produced by Statista, illustrates the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. Newsweek, in partnership with NewsGuard, is dedicated to providing accurate and verifiable vaccine and health information. An attendant who was monitoring the entrance told me they were passengers waiting for their test results. You can still get Covid-19 after being fully vaccinated, albeit your chances are much lower compared to those who have not been vaccinated. In a statement CEO Michael Bayley thanked DeSantis and other elected officials for their support of the industry, which has been paralyzed since it was forced to shut down in March 2020 after COVID-19 outbreaks and deaths on several ships. That has worked to keepcovid under control. But against the context of everything we've seen, [that's] truly been a remarkable success.". Our intention is to comply with all federal, state and local laws, she said via email. The major cruise line previously mandated the covid vaccine for crew members only. On all itineraries departing Sept. 6 or later vaccinated guests will not need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test except on cruises 16 days or longer, according to Carnival. That's because testing two days before is at best imperfect and it may not have done much to stop covid from spreading. Twitter user @patriottakes wrote: "MAGAs [Make America Great Again, Donald Trump's campaign slogan] are starting to boycott Royal Caribbean because they are requiring vaccinations for adult passengers and crew members when they start sailing again in June. On a practical level, the CDC had been tracking serious illness and death and the numbers were very encouraging. This bracelet allowed me to access areas of the ship reserved for vaccinated passengers. starts on October 1st, and you would be permitted to board the ship on During one performance, I went to the theater's upper level (where anyone, including unvaccinated passengers, was able to sit) to see what it was like. Most major cruise lines require proof of vaccination for all passengers age 12 and up, and some require them for kids as young as 5 years old (Pfizer's . 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. With NewsGuard's HealthGuard browser extension, users can verify if a website is a trustworthy source of health information. 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? NOW WATCH: This is what it takes to be a cruise ship performer. Essentially, while the CDC set parameters, the cruise lines have been policing themselves for months. 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. Reminders going from indoors to outdoors and vice-versa were especially helpful. About half of the U.S. population is now fully vaccinated, which means plenty of people still have not been vaccinated. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. $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. . This is one of many changes in Royal Caribbean's approach to Covid-19, which has steadily seen health protocols erode in order to be closer to other forms of leisure travel. Speaking to Newsweek, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean said that "vaccinations will be required for the upcoming sailings from [the] Bahamas and St. Vaccinated guests aged 12 and over will no longer have any pre-cruise COVID-19 related protocols. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. Guests are also required to wear masks in all indoor public areas, in terminals, and during shore excursions, and take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test before boarding.