Carnival Corporation will be the third major cruise corporation to drop vaccine mandates for select brands, joining Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Royal Caribbean Group.
Effective 06SEP, Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises are both dropping pre-cruise testing and its vaccination mandate, while Cunard and P&O Cruises are solely dropping pre-cruise testing. All of the new updates have some exceptions.
On 15AUG, Holland America Line and Seabourn announced that they will be dropping their vaccine mandates as of 06SEP, with some exceptions.
Holland America Line
As of 06SEP, for "most" voyages up to 15 nights, vaccinated guests will no longer have to test before cruising and unvaccinated guests will be welcomed if they have taken a self-test within three days of sailing. The new protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, including Canada, Australia and Greece.
Key changes for cruises up to 15 nights (Ages 5 and older, not including full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean and designated remote voyages):
- Vaccinated guests must provide evidence of vaccination status prior to embarkation. Pre-cruise testing is no longer required.
- Unvaccinated guests are welcomed aboard and must provide results of a negative medically supervised or self-test taken within three days of embarkation.
Protocols for cruises 16 nights or longer (plus full Panama Canal transit, trans-ocean and designated remote voyages, ages 5 and older):
- All guests will be required to submit a medically supervised COVID-19 test with written negative result. The test must be taken within three days of embarkation.
- Guests must be vaccinated or request an exemption.
Holland America Line recommends that guests visit the TravelWell section of the company’s web site for updates prior to cruise departure, as well as instructions on how to provide results of a negative test.
“Our guests have been excited to return to cruising, and these changes will make it easier for more guests to explore the world in a safe and enjoyable environment,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “The new, simplified protocols recognize the evolving nature of COVID-19 while still ensuring we protect the health of our guests, team members and the communities we visit.”
Seabourn
Also on 15AUG, Seabourn updated its COVID-19 policies. As of 06SEP, for "most" cruises under 16 nights, fully vaccinated guests will no longer need to submit a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, and unvaccinated guests will only need to submit a self-administered test taken within three days of sailing. The protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary including Canada, Australia, and Greece.
Key changes for cruises up to 15 nights (Ages 5 and older, not including full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean and designated remote voyages):
- Vaccinated guests must provide evidence of vaccination status prior to embarkation. Pre-cruise testing is no longer required.
- Unvaccinated guests are welcomed aboard and must provide results of a negative medically supervised or self-test taken within three days of embarkation.
Key changes for cruises 16 nights or longer (plus full Panama Canal transit, trans-ocean and designated remote voyages, ages 5 and older):
- All guests will be required to submit a medically supervised COVID-19 test with a written negative result. The test must be taken within three days of embarkation.
- Guests must be vaccinated or request an exemption from Seabourn.
“These updated guidelines reflect our ongoing commitment to protecting our guests, the people in the communities we touch and serve, and our shipboard and shoreside employees. We look forward to welcoming all guests on board and delivering unforgettable Seabourn Moments,” said Josh Leibowitz, president Seabourn.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line's new guidelines are effective for cruises departing on 06SEP or later, and include:
- Vaccinated guests must continue to provide proof of their vaccination status prior to embarkation. Pre-cruise testing is no longer required, except for cruises to Canada, Bermuda, Greece and Australia (per local guidelines), and on voyages 16 nights or longer.
- Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail and are no longer required to apply for a vaccine exemption, except for cruises in Australia or on voyages 16 nights and longer.
- Unvaccinated guests or those who do not provide proof of vaccination must present the results of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within three days of embarkation.
- All policies are subject to local destination regulations.
Guests under the age of five years are exempt from vaccination and testing requirements from the U.S. and under the age of 12 from Australia. The cruise line notes that voyages 16 nights and longer will continue to have vaccination and testing requirements that are specific to the itinerary. More information is available on Carnival's Health & Safety web site.
For guests who have a pending vaccine exemption application and are awaiting confirmation for cruises departing 06SEP or later, the booking is confirmed unless booked on a sailing that calls on Canada, Bermuda, Australia or if the voyage is 16 nights or longer.
"Our ships have been sailing very full all summer, but there is still room for more of our loyal guests, and these guidelines will make it a simpler process, and make cruising accessible for those who were not able to meet the protocols we were required to follow for much of the past 14 months," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Duffy added that Carnival is in the process of updating its web site, communications, and processes, and sharing more details with travel advisor partners and guests to reflect these new policies. "We appreciate the patience of our guests and travel advisor partners as we update all materials, but the end result is a very positive one for all who are looking forward to cruising with us," she said.
Princess Cruises
Also starting 06SEP, vaccinated guests sailing on Princess voyages of less than 16 days will no longer have to test before boarding and only need to upload proof of vaccination.
Unvaccinated guests, or those who do not provide proof of vaccination, on those itineraries must self-test within three days of sailing and upload proof of a negative test before boarding.
These new guidelines apply to itineraries from all departure ports except where government regulations and protocols may vary like Canada, Greece and Australia.
Other key points include:
- No pre-cruise testing for vaccinated guests on voyages of up to 15 nights (guests 5 and older) with the exception of full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean and other special itineraries; unvaccinated guests must provide a negative self-test result taken within three days of embarkation (unvaccinated children under 5 years do not require pre-cruise testing)
- Guests sailing on voyages 16 nights or longer, or sailing on full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean and other specific itineraries, need to take a supervised test within three days of embarkation (guests 5 and older). Guests on these types of voyages will be contacted directly by an Ocean Navigator to assist.
"These updated guidelines help ensure a Princess vacation is available to everyone," said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises.
For more information, visit Princess Cruises' web site.
Cunard and P&O Cruises
As of 06SEP, self-testing policies for both cruise lines will change from “mandatory” to “highly recommended” for vaccinated guests on the "vast majority" of itineraries.
Only guests sailing on longer, more complex itineraries will be required to have an observed or in person antigen or PCR test with a fit to travel certificate prior to departure. These include a number of holidays of 16 nights or more and other specific cruises.
These new guidelines apply to all Cunard and P&O itineraries sailing from Southampton and all other departure points with the exception of countries where government regulations and protocols may vary including Canada and Australia.
The vaccination policies for both Cunard and P&O Cruises remains the same.
No word yet about updates to vaccination or testing requirements for Holland America Line or Seabourn.
