In a statement, Royal Caribbean said that while all crew members will be vaccinated against COVID-19, guests are "strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated" but will not be mandated to do so nor show verification. 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 said it still needs to complete simulation cruises before getting approval for the sailings it announced Friday. By 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. Royal Caribbean announced Friday that passengers will not be required to show proof of vaccination. Royal Caribbean cruises are back but vaccinations will be optional. Cruise lines have restricted their ships to only allow adults that are fully vaccinated onboard since sailings restarted in late 2020. You can also have your local travel agent or International Representative contact us. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Cruise officials said any cruise guests departing before then must adhere to the current protocols in place, which differ depending on where you are leaving from. The first is scheduled to depart Miami on July 2, with more joining the fleet through Aug. 23. This . Monique Giese, who tracks the shipping industry for the consultancy KPMG says it's important for the industry that cruise ships do get back to sea this summer, particularly before the good weather disappears in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. The announcement of these select vaccinated cruises later resulted in boycott demands in late March across Facebook and Twitter. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Outside of the CDC's remit, sailings from several Caribbean islands, Greece and within UK waters are due to put the new safety protocols through a sterner examination in the next few weeks. Royal Caribbean International is resuming cruises aimed at U.S. vacationers this summer - with a twist. Two ships, operated by Royal Caribbean sister line Celebrity Cruises, will go straight to voyages with paying passengers since the company has said it will meet the vaccine threshold. Our receipt of your vaccination accommodation request in no way implies or guarantees an approval. Vaccinated guests won't have to take a pre-cruise test on cruises that are shorter than 10 nights. 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. Royal Caribbean did not answer a question about whether its decision not to require vaccinations for passengers was a result of the states bans. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. Royal Caribbean just announced a new collection of seven-night summer cruises to the Bahamas and Mexico, but don't consider booking a spot unless you plan on being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Be aware that we may not be able to process requests submitted less than 14 days to sailing. For its part, Royal Caribbean has already been approved to start test sailings later this month ahead of its planned restart this summer. "Its important that all of our guests enjoy their experience at any destination while also meeting local measures.". TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Better make your plans now. And people want a place where they can go where they know they're safe.". However, the move from the Bahamas will also meet significant backlash from those opposed for one way or the other to vaccinations at this time. The cruise line will still require unvaccinated guests and vaccinated guests embarking on cruises six nights or longer, to take a COVID-19 test within three days of their departure date. 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. The major cruise line previously mandated the covid vaccine for crew members only. Is climate change killing Australian wine? Medical Requests: For your request to be considered by our medical team, a letter from a physician is required. Clear editor. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. The move from Royal Caribbean does not come entirely as a surprise. updated guidance from the major cruise line. This protocol will go into place starting Aug. 8. ", "This is it. If the islands decide that they do not want unvaccinated people on their island, thats their choice, just like those that choose not to get vaccinated. Paste as plain text instead, Bayley noted . You can post now and register later. Asked about forgeries he replied: "We don't think many people would would even bother to do so. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! - Facial coverings onboard are optional. Sign up for notifications from Insider! If your vaccination accommodation request is granted. A similar policy that bans certain companies for requesting vaccine verification was enacted by Texas Gov. I think we are talking about people who are vaccinated, and there are lots of different ways to show that". - More information on Royal Caribbean's COVID-19 protocols can be found on the company's website. Cruising is a global industry that, before the pandemic, was worth $150bn and supported about 1.2 million jobs. On March 1, the cruise line also announced its first "fully. It has also meant raising more than $12bn from investors to keep the company going. By contrast, the company reported a profit of $1.7bn in 2019. Royal Caribbean is starting 'fully vaccinated' cruises from Israel Half of Israel's citizens have already received one shot of the two-dose vaccine, making the country a prime spot for a. NOW WATCH: How 30,000 meals a day are made on the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas. Regardless of the port location, guests will have to show proof of full vaccination, completed at least 14 days before the cruise departs. Apr 29, 2023, 6:18 PM. For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. "I would like to sincerely thank our guests and travel partners for their incredible patience and understanding during this very difficult period.". "We want you to be more comfortable walking onboard a ship than walking down Main Street.". "Actually that's a very important part of cruising , the opportunity to go other places". How to submit a vaccination accommodation request If you believe that you meet the requirements for a vaccination accommodation, please send an email to vaxaccommodations@rccl.com. "Ports around the world are opening up and opening up very quickly. In February, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told Insider that it will expect . "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.". Everyone has choices. An exception to the new policy is for passengers boarding a ship to Alaska. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Previously, Royal Caribbean required guests 16 and older to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before embarking on a cruise with plans to drop that to 12 and older after Aug. 1. When Royal Caribbean resumed cruises in summer 2021, vaccine requirements were in place and remained so until now. Unfortunately for them, they will either need to get the shot or refrain from cruising aboard Royal Caribbeans ships for the time being. "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". In another caveat, passengers on Europe sailings who aren't up to date on a COVID-19 vaccine series per European standards will need to take a COVID-19 test on board in order to get off the ship in Greece and Spain. Display as a link instead, Cancel the booking that includes the unvaccinated guest and receive a full refund for the booking. 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.. 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. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is finally doing away with its COVID-19 vaccine requirement for adults. Want to see the total eclipse in 2024? Re: covid vaccine fter 8-2022 required for usa citizen to return. When not writing, she enjoys travelling and performing improv comedy. Your link has been automatically embedded. You cant complain when it doesnt go your way. For some sailings where local regulations require vaccination, such as those sailing from Australia, we have adopted operational capacity restrictions that restrict the number of guests we can carry who are not vaccinated. traveling on another booking) remain subject to the standard cancellation penalty schedule. Royal Caribbean just announced a flood of summer cruises. 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 Completes First Test Sailing to Resume Cruises in the U.S. Carnival Cruise Line Strengthens Mask Policy Amid Omicron Variant Spread, Disney Cruise Line Will Require Kids 5 and Older to Be Vaccinated Starting in January What to Know, Royal Caribbean required guests 16 and older to be fully vaccinated, recommended all passengers and crew get the jab, vaccinated passengers can potentially ditch their masks. Share. The Miami-based operator. as well as other partner offers and accept our. 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. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. According to the statement made by Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean will not be allowing any guests onboard who have not been fully vaccinated worldwide. 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.. What vaccines are required to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise? Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty spoke about the change during an earnings call with . 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 lack of sailings means Royal Caribbean, which has about a 25% share of the global cruise market, has lost more than $6.8bn since the pandemic began. Royal Caribbean announced Friday that passengers will not be required to show proof of vaccination. 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. You can watch Richard Fain's full interview on "Talking Business with Aaron Heslehurst" this weekend on BBC World News at Saturday 23:30 GMT, Sunday 05:30 and 16:30 GMT, Monday 06:30 GMT and 10:30 GMT and Tuesday at 12:30 GMT. Travel tips you can trust. "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. Vaccines will be needed to get on ships such as Royal Caribbeans Navigator of the Sea, seen here in Miami in March, Royal Caribbean's CEO Richard Fain, wants to "make cruising safer than in your home community", Many unused cruise ships have become attractions, such as Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas, A lack of sailings for ships such as Harmony of the Seas has led Royal Caribbean to lose billions during the pandemic, Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Sea had to be restocked by boat in Sydney in April 2020 after Australia refused permission to dock, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. Norwegian Cruise Line, which has not been approved to restart, has said it will initially require everyone on board to be vaccinated. COVID-19 Vaccination is no longer required to sail, with a few exceptions. Shrimp po boys and live music: Big Freedias New Orleans favorites. Cruise lines can skip that step if they will have 95 percent of crew and passengers vaccinated. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. 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. In this episode, guests learn more about the environmental programs . 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. 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 letter must include the full name and date of birth for the guest requesting the accommodation. "If they are not sailing this year I would assume that lots of cruise operators go into insolvency and then it is decisive which brand is the strongest," she says. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have removed the COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships as of Monday. No way, experts say. The decision is a stark reversal from the company's initial vaccine mandate announced last month, which required vaccinations for all passengers over 16 years old on ships sailing from the US and the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean announced Thursday its no longer requiring vaccinated guests to take a COVID-19 test prior to embarking on cruises six nights or less. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). If your vaccination accommodation request is denied. Following August 1, this age requirement will fall to 12 years old or older. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Upload or insert images from URL. There have been outbreaks on some of the few cruises that have run around the world since the pandemic began. "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. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. 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. The reversal comes on the heels of efforts by Florida Gov. Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines sailing with unvaccinated guests have all managed to sail reasonably successfully over the last few months; while a few cases have been reported here and there, there have been no significant outbreaks or other issues onboard. Cancel only the unvaccinated guest(s) from the booking, if the remainder of the traveling party still wishes to sail. announce an end to their COVID-19 vaccination requirements, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. By smokeybandit 3 minutes ago in Royal Caribbean News and Rumors. 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. "We think it's enough to see us through during these terrible times," says Mr Fain. Royal Caribbean senses financial improvements are on the horizon. All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. So far, the CDC has approved nine ships for test cruises, operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. The Checkup With Dr. Wen: Who should get a second bivalent booster? 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. In general, Royal Caribbean said guests "are strongly recommended" to have been vaccinated before boarding, and all crew will be vaccinated. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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. Seabourn Cruise Line The US is the biggest market for the industry which has been almost completely closed down by the pandemic. "I don't think we're talking about a vaccine passport. CDC lifts some mask rules for vaccinated cruise passengers, This is it, Bayley said in the statement. Booked guests will be provided full details specific to their port of departure before sailing, Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Lyan Sierra-Caro said in an email. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Four major cruise lines are dropping their vaccination requirements for some sailings next month, the . 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna,AstraZeneca, etc.,or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). It has also prompted Royal Caribbean to take swift action. Unvaccinated guests age 5 and up will need to test within three days before boarding . While vaccination is not required for guests under 12, we kindly ask that you fill out their status below. Only those guests in the impacted booking are eligible to receive a full refund. Other informational resources can be accessed on theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention traveler's health websiteor by calling toll-free (877) FYI-TRIP and on theWorld Health Organization website. 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. Royal Caribbean Vaccine Requirement Update. USA's foreign national vaccine requirement ending May 11. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. The policy applied to ships in Florida and Texas, states that recently passed laws against vaccination requirements. Most federal covid vaccine mandates to end May 11, Biden is right to end coronavirus vaccine requirements, Masks come off in the last refuge for mandates: The doctors office, Your questions about covid-19, answered by Dr. Leana Wen, Experts trace flawed U.S. covid response and how to fix it. This protocol will go into place starting. Sign up for notifications from Insider! 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." 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. Ron DeSantis whose staff has said cruise lines could be fined $5,000 per violation for requiring proof of vaccination for their support and for helping crew get vaccinated. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Change the ship/sail date and submit a new request, if your denial was based on operational capacity. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. However, Mr Fain doesn't think he will face any staffing shortages. 6 hours ago in Royal Caribbean News and Rumors, I know this has affected some Canadian cruisers wanting to sail out of the USA, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/01/the-biden-administration-will-end-covid-19-vaccination-requirements-for-federal-employees-contractors-international-travelers-head-start-educators-and-cms-certified-facilities/. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? The cruise line has announced a further easing of its protocols by dropping the vaccine requirements on select sailings from September 5, 2022. Samantha started at WKMG-TV in September 2020. 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. Royal Caribbean expects to require its crew members to receive the vaccine before sailings return, a spokesperson told Insider. 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. Vaccines will be needed to get on ships such as Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Sea, seen here in Miami in March By Jonathan Josephs Business reporter, BBC News One of the world's biggest. In a statement, the cruise lines president and CEO, Michael Bayley, thanked elected officials including Gov. [TRENDING: Is it illegal in Florida to back into a parking space? Royal Caribbean will require vaccinated guests 5 and older to take a pre-cruise test on sailings from the U.S. that are 10 nights or longer starting Sept. 5, according to its website. Vaccines must be approved for use by the country they are sailing from. Whenever we grant a vaccination accommodation, we reserve the right to revoke it at any time. Royal Caribbean has announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for guests. 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. Greg Abbott in April. 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. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traveler's health website. Royal Caribbean International has announced it won't require US passengers to get vaccinated to go on several ships set to sail this summer. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. 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. Your previous content has been restored. Vaccinations are optional. Detours with locals. Today, Royal Caribbean International premieres, "Making an Icon, Creating Memorable Vacations Responsibly," Royal Caribbean's video series that takes guests behind the scenes on delivering the world's best vacation in 2024. Earlier this year, several states including Florida and Texas banned the concept of vaccine passports, directly affecting some cruise lines that mandated vaccines, including Norwegian Cruise Line.