COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Will Be REMOVED for Most Sailings on a Major Cruise Line

To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact an upcoming vacation.

COVID-19 vaccine and testing guidelines are changing for a variety of vacations and vacation destinations, so you need to keep up with all the latest info.

Disney Wish docked at Castaway Cay

When it comes to cruising, we’ve shared how Disney Cruise Line will be changing its COVID-19 policies soon, and how other cruise lines like Carnival and Virgin Voyages have changed their rules too. Now, we’ve got another update regarding a major cruise line.

Previously, Royal Caribbean announced that it would no longer require COVID-19 vaccines for cruises that were less than 6 nights. Then it announced that it would remove vaccination requirements entirely for cruises departing from certain ports.

But now things are changing again for upcoming Royal Caribbean guests.

©Royal Caribbean

According to the latest updates on the Royal Caribbean website, starting September 5th, individuals who are not vaccinated can sail on nearly all of their cruises from Europe and the U.S.

There is an exception, however, for cruise itineraries that will visit Canada and Bermuda, and select other cruises.

©Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has also announced that their COVID-19 testing requirements will be “easier.” Starting on September 5th (for all U.S. cruises that don’t visit Canada or Bermuda), vaccinated guests won’t need to take a pre-cruise COVID-19 test for any cruise that is shorter than 10 nights.

Unvaccinated guests (ages 5 and up) will, however, need to get a COVID-19 test within 3 days of boarding for all cruises. Royal Caribbean is also going to start accepting COVID-19 test results from at-home tests that you administer yourself. Be sure to read up on all of their policies to make sure you meet all applicable requirements.

©Royal Caribbean

For European cruises (so long as they don’t visit Greece), guests who are “up to date” with their COVID-19 vaccines won’t have to take a pre-cruise COVID-19 test for sailings that are shorter than 10 nights. Unvaccinated guests and those who are not “up to date” on their COVID-19 vaccines, ages 12 and up, will need to take a COVID-19 test within 3 days of boarding.

©Royal Caribbean

Just keep in mind that there are some cruises that won’t fall under these modifications. The current vaccine and testing requirements will stay in place for cruises from Australia and Singapore, as well as cruises that depart from or visit Canada or Bermuda, and transatlantic sailings.

©Royal Caribbean

Of course, COVID-19 rules and regulations are subject to change again. If you’re planning to go on a cruise soon, make sure you check the cruise line’s updated policies repeatedly ahead of the start of your trip to see if anything changes.

Want to learn more about cruising? Click here to learn about the COVID-19 policy changes coming to Disney Cruise Line. You can also click here to read about the BEST times to book your Disney Cruise or click here to check out some pro tips for saving space in your tiny cruise cabin!