Celebrity Cruises today announced new protocols for guests sailing from U.S. and European ports by dropping vaccination requirements and simplifying testing guidelines.
Beginning September 5, 2022, all guests, regardless of vaccination status, departing on most sailings from the U.S. and Europe can now cruise as long as they meet local testing requirements to board. Celebrity Cruises will also now accept any commercially available test, including unsupervised self-tests, in many destinations.
“A new world is waiting and I’m thrilled to now more closely align our operations with the rest of the travel industry and open up opportunities for everyone to explore, once again,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. “Travel is making its grand comeback and we’re looking forward to the continued momentum from consumers around the world.”
New pre-boarding testing requirements for the U.S. and Europe include:
Fully vaccinated guests no longer need to test to board sailings from the U.S. that are nine nights or less (excluding sailings that visit Canada and Bermuda).
A negative test result from a simple, unsupervised and self-administered test will be accepted for all sailings (excluding sailings that visit Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Greece or New Zealand).
Children under 5 years of age sailing from the U.S. and guests under 12 years of age sailing from Europe do not need to test prior to boarding.
Requirements in Other Regions
While Celebrity Cruises has dropped vaccination requirements, sailings to and from ports in Canada, Australia and New Zealand require all guests ages 12 and up to be fully vaccinated to sail in keeping with country requirements. Galapagos cruises require guests ages 3 and older to be vaccinated.
Carnival Cruise Line today announced protocol updates for COVID-19.
\With these changes, Carnival said is making it easier for more guests to sail with simplified vaccination and testing guidelines, including no testing for vaccinated guests on sailings less than 16 nights, and eliminating the exemption request process for unvaccinated guests, who will only need to show a negative test result at embarkation.
All new guidelines are effective for cruises departing on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, or later, and include:
• Vaccinated guests must continue to provide evidence 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 was 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 United States and under the age of 12 from Australia, the company said.
Voyages 16 nights and longer will continue to have vaccination and testing requirements that are specific to the itinerary. Requirements for long voyages and destination-specific protocols are available on Carnival’s Have Fun. Be Safe. page on Carnival.com
For guests who have a pending vaccine exemption application and are awaiting confirmation for cruises departing Sept. 6 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.
“We’ve got lots happening, with Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Celebration joining our fleet this November and more to come in 2023. Whatever the ship, homeport or itinerary that works for you, our great onboard team is ready to deliver a fun vacation – something we all look forward to even more nowadays!”
Duffy added that Carnival is in the process of updating its website, communications, and processes, and sharing more details with guests and travel advisor partners to reflect these new, simplified 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.
Norwegian Prima Year Built: 2022 Capacity: 3,215 guests Status: Under construction Location: Marghera, Italy
Nearing the completion of its construction, the Norwegian Prima recently returned from the first set of sea trials. With its first cruise now scheduled in September, the vessel is being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy.
Norwegian Encore Year Built: 2019 Capacity: 4,200 guests Status: In service Location: Alaska
The Norwegian Encore is currently sailing a summer program in Alaska. Based in Seattle, the vessel is offering weekly departures to Victoria, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Glacier Bay.
Norwegian Bliss Year Built: 2018 Capacity: 4,200 guests Status: In service Location: Alaska
In Alaska for the summer, the Norwegian Bliss is offering week-long cruises departing from Seattle. The ship’s regular itinerary includes Victoria, Ketchikan, the Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Sitka.
Norwegian Joy Year Built: 2017 Capacity: 4,200 guests Status: In service Location: Bermuda
Based in New York City, the Norwegian Joy is offering a series of cruises to Bermuda. The seven-night itineraries include a visit to Norfolk and a three-day stop in King’s Wharf.
Norwegian Escape Year Built: 2015 Capacity: 4,200 guests Status: In service Location: Eastern Mediterranean
The Norwegian Escape is currently sailing varied itineraries in the Eastern Mediterranean. Departing from Italy, the seven- to 11-night cruises feature visits to ports in Greece, Croatia, Malta, Montenegro and more.
Norwegian Getaway Year Built: 2014 Capacity: 4,000 guests Status: In service Location: Eastern Caribbean
Returning to North America after a short season in the Baltic, the Norwegian Getaway recently kicked off a summer program in the Caribbean. Sailing from Port Canaveral, the vessel is offering seven-night cruises to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and the Dominican Republic.
Norwegian Breakaway Year Built: 2013 Capacity: 4,000 guests Status: In service Location: Western Caribbean
Based in Miami, the Norwegian Breakaway is sailing a rotating schedule of seven-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises.
Norwegian Epic Year Built: 2010 Capacity: 4,200 guests Status: In service Location: Western Mediterranean
Capacity: 2,400 guests Status: In service Location: Eastern Mediterranean
Another Norwegian ship in Europe, the Norwegian Gem is currently positioned in the Eastern Mediterranean, offering cruises to ports such as Trieste, Dubrovnik, Corfu and Santorini.
Norwegian Jade Year Built: 2006 Capacity: 2,400 guests Status: In service Location: Eastern Mediterranean
The Norwegian Jade is currently based in Piraeus for a series of cruises to the Greek Islands and Turkey that includes visits to Istanbul, Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini and more.
Norwegian Pearl Year Built: 2006 Capacity: 2,400 guests Status: In service Location: East Coast
Based in Boston, the Norwegian Pearl is offering week-long cruises to Bermuda and Maine.
Norwegian Jewel Year Built: 2005 Capacity: 2,400 guests Status: In service Location: Alaska
Pride of America Year Built: 2005 Capacity: 2,000 guests Status: In service Location: Hawaii
As the industry’s only large U.S.-flagged cruise ship, the Pride of America continues to offer its year-round schedule of Hawaii cruises. Sailing from Honolulu, the vessel’s regular itinerary includes visits to Kahului, Hilo, Kailua Kona and Nawiliwili.
Norwegian Dawn Year Built: 2002 Capacity: 2,200 guests Status: In service Location: Northern Europe
The Norwegian Dawn is presently in Northern Europe for a series of Baltic cruises. Leaving from Stockholm and Copenhagen, the itineraries feature visits to Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden and more.
Norwegian Star Year Built: 2001 Capacity: 2,200 guests Status: In service Location: Northern Europe
Based in Reykjavik, the Norwegian Star is presently offering a series of cruises to Iceland and Greenland.
Norwegian Sun Year Built: 2001 Capacity: 2,002 guests Status: In service Location: Alaska
After hitting a growler in late June, the Norwegian Sun recently resumed its program of five- to nine-night cruises in Alaska.
Norwegian Spirit Year Built: 1999 Capacity: 2,000 guests Status: In service Location: Alaska
As the last ship to resume service for Norwegian Cruise Line, the Norwegian Spirit welcomed guests back in May. Before arriving in Alaska – where it’s currently sailing – the 1999-built vessel offered itineraries to the South Pacific and Hawaii.
Norwegian Sky Year Built: 1999 Capacity: 2,000 guests Status: In service Location: Miami, Florida
The Norwegian Sky is in Miami today for yet another short cruise to the Bahamas. The three-night sailing includes visits to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay – Norwegian’s private island destination in the region.
Wetravel2u's Weblog 