This page is updated often BUT you should check the cruise lines website directly for any new information.
Will you need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise this year?
With a growing number of cruise lines announcing plans to restart operations in the next few months, it’s become a pressing question for cruisers — and the answer isn’t always clear.
In recent weeks, more than a dozen cruise lines have announced plans to require passengers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine before stepping aboard a vessel (including, on Monday, Norwegian Cruise Line and its two sisters, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises).
IN THIS POST
- Which cruise lines have added a vaccine requirement?
- AmaWaterways
- American Cruise Lines
- American Queen Steamboat Company
- Avalon Waterways
- Azamara
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Celebrity Cruises
- Celestyal Cruises
- Crystal Cruises
- Cunard Line
- Disney Cruise Line
- Emerald Cruises
- Grand Circle Cruise Line
- Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
- Holland America
- Lindblad Expeditions
- MSC Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Oceania Cruises
- Overseas Adventure Travel
- P&O Cruises
- Princess Cruises
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
- Royal Caribbean
- Saga Cruises
- Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
- Seabourn
- Sea Cloud Cruises
- Silversea
- Star Clippers
- Swan Hellenic
- Tauck
- UnCruise Adventures
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
- Victory Cruise Lines
- Viking
- Virgin Voyages
- Windstar Cruises
Which cruise lines have added a vaccine requirement?
Cruise lines that have announced a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all or at least some upcoming cruises include American Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Virgin Voyages and Windstar Cruises.
Here’s a line-by-line look at COVID-19 vaccine and testing policies at 39 major ocean and river cruise brands:
AmaWaterways
Vaccine required? No.
Note: AmaWaterways is asking passengers to show proof of either a COVID-19 vaccine or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of boarding one of the line’s vessels.
American Cruise Lines
Vaccine required? No
For whom: All passengers on sailings through April 30
Note: American Cruise Lines does not have an across-the-board vaccine requirement for passengers, but passengers on some itineraries in specific regions or over specific time periods may face COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements. The line says it will communicate directly with passengers about them.
American Queen Steamboat Company
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers, effective for sailings scheduled for July 1, 2021, and beyond.
Note: The line also is testing passengers for COVID-19 as they arrive for their cruises.
Avalon Waterways
Vaccine required? No
Alternate requirement: All passengers must show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination to sail or proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken no earlier than 72 hours before travel. Alternately, passengers can show proof that they have recovered from a confirmed case of COVID-19 within three months of travel.
- Future cruise credit for sailings that have been cancelled by the cruise line
- Relaxed cancellation policy for bookings on future sailings
- Health & Safety Update
Azamara
Vaccine required? Yes
Note: For all passengers
- Future cruise credit or refund policy for sailings that have been cancelled by the cruise line
- Request full refund and forfeit future cruise credit
- Cruise with Confidence relaxed cancellation policy for bookings on future sailings
- Health & Safety Update
Carnival Cruise Line
Vaccine required? Yes.
Insurance is required for anyone 12 and older that was granted a waiver for being unvaccinated. If were provide with a waiver from Carnival and you are not currently insured for your cruise, click here to purchase a policy.
- Future cruise credit or refund policy for sailings that have been cancelled by the cruise line
- Health & Sailing Update
We look forward to welcoming your clients on board. In an abundance of caution and in response to the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant, we are updating our protocols and requirements. Effective with cruises departing on Sunday, August 15, 2021, all fully vaccinated guests must produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (medically supervised PCR or antigen test) taken within 3 days of their embarkation on all Princess Cruises sailings. Testing will not be available at the terminal so it is critical that guests bring their negative test results to cruise check-in.
|
|
We have also updated our onboard mask policy, and all guests must wear face masks in elevators, entertainment venues, retail shops, the casino, and in other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Masks are also required during embarkation and disembarkation in the cruise terminal.
|
Click here to see their updates on their website
Please read the following details for the July sailings on the Carnival Vista and Breeze…
Celebrity Cruises
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers who are 16 years of age or older (as of Aug. 1, the cutoff will drop to all passengers who are 12 or older). Younger passengers can sail with proof of a negative test for COVID-19.
Note: For Celebrity Silhouette sailings out of the U.K., the rule is that all passengers who are 18 years or older must be vaccinated. For sailings out of Florida, the line is asking passengers who are 16 years of age or older to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine but not requiring it, in order to comply with Florida law. Passengers on Florida sailings who do not show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine will be subject to additional screening including COVID-19 testing at their own expense.
- New Celebrity sailings that will require passengers and crew to be vaccinated
- Future cruise credit or refund policy for sailings that have been cancelled by the cruise line
- Cruise with Confidence relaxed cancellation policy for bookings on future sailings
- Health & Safety Update
Celestyal Cruises
Vaccine required? No
Alternate requirement: All passengers will be required to show proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19 taken a maximum of 72 hours before embarkation. This requirement will be waived should qualifying proof of vaccination be provided.
COVID-19 Health Protocols
Costa Cruises
Vaccine required? Yes
- Future cruise credit or refund policy for sailings that have been cancelled by the cruise line
- Health & Safety Update
Crystal Cruises
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers
Cunard Line
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers
Note: Cunard only has announced the vaccine requirement for its initial cruising restart schedule for this summer, which will involve cruises around the U.K. for U.K. residents only.
We look forward to welcoming your clients on board. In an abundance of caution and in response to the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant, we are updating our protocols and requirements. Effective with cruises departing on Sunday, August 15, 2021, all fully vaccinated guests must produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (medically supervised PCR or antigen test) taken within 3 days of their embarkation on all Princess Cruises sailings. Testing will not be available at the terminal so it is critical that guests bring their negative test results to cruise check-in.
|
|
We have also updated our onboard mask policy, and all guests must wear face masks in elevators, entertainment venues, retail shops, the casino, and in other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Masks are also required during embarkation and disembarkation in the cruise terminal.
|
- Future cruise credit or refund policy for sailings that have been cancelled by the cruise line
- Book with Confidence relaxed cancellation policy for bookings on future sailings
Disney Cruise Line
Vaccine required? Disney Cruise Line requires all guests 12 and over to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before sailing.
Click here for all the latest information and vaccine requirements!
- Future cruise credit or refund policy for sailings that have been cancelled by the cruise line
- Cruise date flexibility policy on future sailings
- Health & Safety Update
Emerald Cruises
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers
Grand Circle Cruise Line
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Vaccine required? No
Alternate requirement: All passengers are required to show a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding the vessel. There is also a mandatory screening by thermal cameras for guests before boarding and a daily temperature check on board. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises currently only sail with residents of Germany, Austria and Switzerland for now.
Holland America
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers
We look forward to welcoming your clients on board. In an abundance of caution and in response to the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant, we are updating our protocols and requirements. Effective with cruises departing on Sunday, August 15, 2021, all fully vaccinated guests must produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (medically supervised PCR or antigen test) taken within 3 days of their embarkation on all Princess Cruises sailings. Testing will not be available at the terminal so it is critical that guests bring their negative test results to cruise check-in.
|
|
We have also updated our onboard mask policy, and all guests must wear face masks in elevators, entertainment venues, retail shops, the casino, and in other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Masks are also required during embarkation and disembarkation in the cruise terminal.
|
Click here for the latest avisory for Holland America cruise lines.
- Future cruise credit or refund policy for sailings that have been cancelled by the cruise line
- Book with Confidence relaxed cancellation policy for bookings on future sailings
- Health & Safety Update
Lindblad Expeditions
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers who are 16 years old or older.
Additional requirements: In addition to proof of vaccination, all passengers must show proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19 taken prior to leaving home for their cruise. The line also will test passengers arriving for cruises at the pier for COVID-19 using a rapid antigen test.
MSC Cruises
Vaccine required? Varies by destination
- Future cruise credit or refund policy for all sailings that have been cancelled by the cruise line
- Total CruiseFlex relaxed cancellation policy for bookings on future sailings
- Health & Safety Update
Norwegian Cruise Line
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers on departures through at least Oct. 31
Note: Norwegian has not yet made a decision about whether passengers will be required to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine on departures beyond Oct. 31.
- Future cruise credit or refund policy for sailings that have been cancelled by the cruise line
- Peace of Mind relaxed cancellation policy for bookings on future sailings
- Health & Safety Update
IMPORTANT LINKS:
- FAQs can be accessed here
- All things for Return to Service can be found here
- Suspended sailings info can be found Here
- Sail Safe guidelines and details can be found here
- For additional information pertaining to refunds can be found here
- Follow our return to cruise journey here
- Guest Relations Case Submission page https://www.ncl.com/case-submission
- For sailings from March 13 through October 31, 2020, please click here
- For Peace of Mind and Payment Schedule changes, please click here
- All available NCL itineraries will be available for viewing at www.ncl.com/vacations.
Oceania Cruises
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers on sailings out of U.S. ports
Note: Oceania Cruises has not yet said what its COVID-19 vaccine requirements will be on sailings outside U.S. waters.
- Future cruise credit or refund policy for sailings that have been cancelled by the cruise line
- Travelers Assurance relaxed cancellation policy for bookings on future sailings
Overseas Adventure Travel
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers
P&O Cruises
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers
Princess Cruises
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers
We look forward to welcoming your clients on board. In an abundance of caution and in response to the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant, we are updating our protocols and requirements. Effective with cruises departing on Sunday, August 15, 2021, all fully vaccinated guests must produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (medically supervised PCR or antigen test) taken within 3 days of their embarkation on all Princess Cruises sailings. Testing will not be available at the terminal so it is critical that guests bring their negative test results to cruise check-in.
|
|
We have also updated our onboard mask policy, and all guests must wear face masks in elevators, entertainment venues, retail shops, the casino, and in other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Masks are also required during embarkation and disembarkation in the cruise terminal.
|
- Future cruise credit or refund policy for sailings that have been cancelled by the cruise line
- Cruise with Confidence relaxed cancellation policy for bookings on future sailings
- Health & Safety Update
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers on sailings out of U.S. ports.
Note: Regent has not yet said what its COVID-19 vaccine requirements will be on sailings outside U.S. waters.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Vaccine required? Under evaluation
Note: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has not yet announced whether or not it will require passengers to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test for COVID-19 to sail.
“The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection continues to evaluate all of our options for protecting the wellbeing of our guests … and the communities to which we will sail,” the line said in a statement sent to us.
Royal Caribbean
Vaccine required? Yes!
Click here for the latest update!
- New Royal Caribbean sailings that will require passengers and crew to be vaccinated
- Future cruise credit or refund policy for sailings that have been cancelled by the cruise line
- Cruise with Confidence relaxed cancellation policy for bookings on future sailings
- Health & Safety Update
Saga Cruises
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Vaccine required? Yes
Seabourn
Vaccine required? Yes
Click here for up to date information
Note: Seabourn has announced a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for initial cruises it plans to operate out of Piraeus, Greece, starting in July. It hasn’t said yet whether it have a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for other future sailings.
Sea Cloud Cruises
Vaccine required? No
Alternate requirement: All passengers will be required to show proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19 taken no more than 72 hours before embarkation. A PCR or antigen test will also be performed during embarkation. Only guests with a negative result are allowed to board.
Silversea
Vaccine required? Yes
Note: Silversea says the requirement will apply to all upcoming Silversea voyages globally with the exclusion of sailings departing from Australia. The line says it still is evaluating health protocols for future Australia sailings.
Star Clippers
Vaccine required? Under evaluation
Note: Star Clippers has not yet made a decision as to whether or not it will require passengers to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test for COVID-19, according to a spokesperson.
Swan Hellenic
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers
Tauck
Vaccine required? No
Alternate requirement: All passengers must show proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19 taken a maximum of five days before departing from home for their cruise.
UnCruise Adventures
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers who are 18 years old or older. Passengers under the age of 18 can sail with proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Vaccine required? No
Alternate requirement: Passengers can either show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test (either PCR or rapid) taken within 72 hours of sailing.
Victory Cruise Lines
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers
Viking
Vaccine required? Yes
Note: Viking only has announced a vaccine requirement for its initial “welcome back voyages” planned for May, June and July around the U.K., Bermuda and Iceland. The line hasn’t said what it’s longer-term policy will be. The line also has said it would test all passengers for COVID-19 with a PCR test in advance of embarkation and regularly during their sailing. The line has said it expected to do daily testing on board ships initially.
- New Viking sailings that will require passengers and crew to be vaccinated
- Future cruise credit or refund policy for sailings that have been cancelled by the cruise line
- Risk-Free Guarantee relaxed cancellation policy for bookings on future sailings
Virgin Voyages
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers
Windstar Cruises
Vaccine required? Yes
For whom: All passengers