Current Vaccine & Testing Requirements
Learn about relaxed global protocols, making it easier for guests to return to sea!
Check out the cruise lines below to learn about the current vaccine and testing requirements for each of the most popular cruise lines. All excerpts below are pulled directly from the links provided for your convenience. For the most up-to-day information regarding cruise line updates and restrictions due to the illness, please visit the cruise line travel alerts listed below.
It should be noted that while we are providing links from the cruise lines since these bookings were made on CruiseDirect, the cruise line will not be able to handle issues or concerns with the bookings that were made through CruiseDirect.com. If there is still a concern about your booking, please feel free to reach out to our concierge team via Live Chat available on our website or by calling (888) 407-2784 for more information.
Cruise lines (Alphabetical Order)
- AmaWaterways
- Azamara
- Carnival
- Celebrity
- Costa
- Cunard
- Disney
- Holland America
- MSC
- Norwegian
- Princess
- Royal Caribbean
- Seabourn
- Viking
- Virgin
AmaWaterways
Updated: December 7, 2022
https://www.amawaterways.com/travel-entry-requirements
Travel entry requirements related to Covid-19 continue to evolve and may still change, so please check back with your airline for updates as they can provide you with requirements specific to your country of entry. Travelers are also responsible for ensuring they meet the travel entry requirements of each country visited during their river cruise.
AmaWaterways is operating our river cruise ships with vaccination rates approaching 100%.
For 2022, we have in place an exemption process that may result in a small number of guests onboard who are not fully vaccinated due to religious, medical and other guest considerations. These guests will be required to complete, and have available to show at time of embarkation, a negative PCR or Antigen test taken no more than 48 hours prior to embarkation or a Covid-19 recovery letter no older than 60 days prior to embarkation.
Starting in 2023, we anticipate that we will no longer need the above exemption process. However, all guests traveling with AmaWaterways remain responsible for ensuring they meet the travel entry requirements for each country they plan to visit before, during or after their river cruise. These requirements, as mandated by airlines and individual countries or regions, may change without notice and cancellation fees will apply should guests no longer meet the country entry requirements for their cruise or land program.
Itinerary Requirements Summary:
- For Tulip Time and Best of Holland & Belgium cruises: guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter any of the countries along these itineraries.
- For Rhine, Main and Moselle Cruises: guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter any of the countries along these itineraries.
- For Upper Danube Cruises (between Hungary and Germany): guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter any of the countries along these itineraries.
- For Lower Danube Cruises (between Hungary and Romania): guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter any of the countries along these itineraries.
- For cruises in Portugal and Spain: guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter any of the countries along these itineraries.
- For cruises in Portugal only: guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter Portugal.
- For cruises in France: guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter France.
- For cruises in Egypt: guests are not required to present proof of vaccination to enter Egypt.
- For African Safari & Wildlife cruises: guests are required to be fully vaccinated with an EMA* or other** approved vaccine (Based on current requirements of Zambia and Zimbabwe).
- For cruises in Vietnam and Cambodia: guests are required to be fully vaccinated with an EMA* or other** approved vaccine (Based on current requirements of Cambodia).
*European Medicine Agency (EMA): double doses - BioNTech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Covishield, Covaxin, Covovax, Moderna, Nuvaxovid (Novavax). Johnson & Johnson (single dose).
**For guests with a non-EMA Covid-19 vaccine please ensure the validity of your vaccine(s) with all countries you will be visiting.
Azamara
Updated: November 9, 2022
https://www.azamara.com/booked-guests/before-you-board/explore-well-at-sea
Beginning December 1, 2022, Azamara will no longer require proof of vaccination for sailings starting and ending in the U.S. or sailings starting and ending in Europe. All other sailings require proof of vaccination and booster until further notice. Guests can check specific travel restrictions for countries listed in the itinerary HERE or by visiting applicable government websites
Carnival
Updated: November 9, 2022
Cruising with Carnival is easy! Vaccines and testing no longer required for most cruises. Guests sailing from Australia, please visit the Australia Have Fun. Be Safe. page for protocols specific to those cruises.
VACCINATION GUIDELINES
- Cruises of 15 nights or less: Although vaccines are not required, Carnival encourage all guests 5 years of age and older to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, when eligible, and carry proof of vaccination.* Guests are considered fully vaccinated if they have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the sailing day (not counting embarkation day).
- Cruises of 16 nights or more: All guests, age 18 and older, must be vaccinated, and boosted if they are more than 6 months past the last dose of their initial vaccine series. Unvaccinated guests will need to apply for a vaccine exemption when Carnival is ready to start accepting requests for 2023.
* Proof of vaccination is required for cruises that visit Grand Turk and Cartagena, Colombia.
TESTING
- Cruises of 15 nights or less: Although not required for either vaccinated or unvaccinated guests, Carnival encourages all guests 5 years and older to take a pre-cruise test within three days of their cruise.
- Cruises of 16 nights or more: Guests age 5 years and older have to present a PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days before sailing (unsupervised self-tests are not accepted).
DESTINATION REQUIREMENTS
- Unvaccinated guests are free to disembark and enjoy their time ashore. However, certain destinations have imposed certain restrictions and Carnival cannot guarantee that more will not be added.
- Grand Turk and Cartagena, Colombia – age 18 and older will have to remain on board.
Carnival will continue to monitor the protocols and requirements of the destinations that Carnival visits and will update our guests directly and this page of any changes.
Celebrity
Updated: December 7, 2022
https://www.celebritycruises.com/health-and-safety
Beginning with departures on November 9, 2022:
*All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, are welcome to cruise with us and will no longer be required to provide proof of pre-departure testing, except for specific sailings where vaccination, testing, or additional documentation are required by law. Exceptions currently include
- Bermuda Itineraries
- Galapagos Itineraries
- Australia New Zealand Itineraries
- Transatlantic/Transpacific Crossings
- Select Caribbean Itineraries (those visiting Turks & Caicos)
- Select Central and South America Itineraries (those visiting Colombia, Brazil, and Chile)
Please visit our Country Travel Requirements for more information regarding vaccination.
Costa
Updated: November 9, 2022
https://www.costacruises.com/cruising-soon/safety-above-all.html
The Travel Requirements are changing so you can go back to exploring the world on a Costa Cruise. That's right, from 8 October 2022, the rules are changing! Discover what's different below hereunder.
From 8 October 2022, all guests who are under the age of five or immunized against Covid-19 will no longer be required to take a pre-boarding antigen test for cruises in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the United Arab Emirates.
It is no longer necessary to have Covid insurance in order to board. However Costa recommends purchasing one for additional security.
Optional travel insurance should cover the following risks associated with testing positive for COVID-19, which could otherwise result in costs to you: medical and hospital expenses, expenses for extending your stay (board and lodging) on shore for quarantine, expenses for returning home (including by protected means for people who have tested positive or have come into close contact with others who have), refund of the booking fee for disruption to their cruise.
Up to 10 days before boarding, you can download your boarding pass and tickets by filling out a simple questionnaire on MyCosta regarding your health.
During your vacation you will not have to take an antigen test midway through the cruise, nor have your temperature taken daily. There is an exception to this rule for stopovers in St. Maarten and St. Vincent in the Caribbean.
In the restaurants and bars, buffets, theater, spa, night clubs, and stores will be like before as protocols adopted ashore, with no limit on the number of people who can occupy the space.
Surgical masks are recommended but no longer obligatory. They remain obligatory for the first seven days of travel for Transoceanic and World Tour cruises.
Discover a new place everyday: you can go ashore independently or you can opt to do so on one of our Costa Tours, accompanied by an exceptional guide.
Guests will need to verify the entry requirements for each country that will be visited during the cruise for Vaccination or recovery validity as well as if any antigen test is required.
Cunard
Updated: December 7, 2022
Set sail for new adventures and create wonderful holiday memories once again.
On board, you’ll find everything that makes a Cunard holiday the perfect escape. From restaurants and bars serving the finest cocktails and dining at sea, to live theatre, relaxing spas, and irresistible pools. To help you to relax and enjoy the experience, we’ve introduced a few simple protocols to protect our guests and crew, but we’ve worked hard to make these easy to adjust to.
We’d like to remind you that it's important to stay up to date with the latest health and well-being policies and protocols for your voyage, in addition to the latest travel requirements. It is your responsibility to organize and complete all documentation and testing requirements, therefore please ensure you are aware of and compliant with, the latest guidance for traveling to and/or from your port of embarkation and return home. The guidance may change with little warning.
Disney
Updated: November 9, 2022
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/advisory/
Beginning November 14, 2022, for sailings departing from the United States, Disney Cruise Line guests will no longer be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to sailing, regardless of their vaccination status.
However, the cruise line continues to recommend that all guests be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and encourages unvaccinated travelers to test two days prior to their sailing.
Holland America
Updated: December 7, 2022
https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/news/coronavirus-travel-advisory.html
Holland America welcomes the CDC’s decision to end its current program in favor of a set of guidelines for public health operations on cruise ships. This change is a testament to the effectiveness of protocols we put in place following the resumption of sailing, with cruising being among the safest forms of travel today.
We will review the newest guidelines, but there are no immediate changes to current COVID-19 protocols for Holland America Line itineraries. Guests can continue to use Holland America's Travel Well webpage and the guest notices they receive as a guide for upcoming voyages.
MSC
Updated: November 9, 2022
https://www.msccruisesusa.com/health-and-safety-measures/caribbean-cruises
The relaxation of global travel requirements and our health and safety protocols now make it easier for more guests to sail with MSC.
Vaccination & Testing Requirements:
- Vaccination is recommended but no longer required on most cruises.
- Vaccinated guests must show proof of vaccination at embarkation and are recommended but not required to submit a negative COVID-19 test.
- Unvaccinated guests are required to submit a negative test at embarkation.
- All crew members are vaccinated and regularly tested.
U.S. Residents Sailing From U.S. Ports:
- If you test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days prior to or during your cruise, you and your traveling party will receive a full or prorated refund and assistance if required, with onboard medical care and land-based quarantine.
A Full Experience:
- Our protocols are designed to make your cruise experience enjoyable and as safe as possible. You will be free to disembark and independently visit ports of call wherever local regulations allow it.
All guests must follow vaccination and testing protocols which may vary based on local requirements as well as general travel industry requirements to and from ports of embarkation.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Updated: November 9, 2022
Effective for Sailings October 4, 2022 and Beyond
With the relaxation of travel requirements around the world, we’re thrilled to welcome all guests back on our ships to cruise freely to the places they’ve been dreaming of – regardless of vaccination status and with no testing requirements.
Destination specific requirements will still need to be met. For specific country requirements, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country.
Princess
Updated: December 7, 2022
Princess is Ready to Welcome You on Board!
As travel requirements around the world have eased, so have the guidelines. We invite you to explore the world with Princess!
Our protocols for cruising have been lifted. This means that for most voyages there are no longer vaccination or testing requirements. Read on to learn what you can expect when you sail.
Royal Caribbean
Updated: November 9, 2022
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/topics/boarding-requirements
Pre-cruise testing is no longer required to sail, with a few exceptions. At this time, only the following sailings have pre-cruise testing requirements:
For Cruises from the U.S. and Caribbean with stops in Colombia, Haiti, or Honduras
- Guests aged 12 and up who are not fully vaccinated have 3 days to take a test before their cruise, regardless of the duration of the cruise.
- Guests under the age of 12 do not have any testing requirements.
Required testing can be completed using any type of PCR or antigen COVID-19 test. It can be professionally proctored at your doctor or drugstore, or it can be a test you administer to yourself at home without supervision.
Tests must be arranged on your own and are at your own expense.
Please note: A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). Vaccines must be approved for use by the WHO or U.S. FDA, with the exception of CanSino.
For Transatlantic Cruises
- All guests age 5 and older must bring a negative test result for a COVID-19 test taken within 2 days before boarding day.
- The test you take must be supervised by a health professional, such as a doctor, pharmacy technician, public health worker, or telehealth professional. Telehealth testing at home is accepted for vaccinated guests, and must be conducted under live video supervision. Tests must be arranged on your own and are at your own expense.
- Guests age 4 and younger do not have any testing requirements.
Please note: A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). Vaccines must be approved for use by the World Health Organization (WHO), with the exception of CanSino.
For Cruises from Australia
- All guests aged 2 and above, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative test result for a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 2 days before boarding day, or a self-administered Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 1 day before boarding, for sailings of any length.
- Required testing for all guests can be completed using a PCR test administered at a private laboratory, or any self-administered Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). Rapid Antigen Tests are not required to be administered under live video supervision.
- You will be required to present the negative test result at the time of boarding. You can show it in the form of a printout or email if taking a PCR test. Or if taking a RAT, you can show a picture of your negative RAT test on your phone, or present the actual negative test itself.
- Guests under 2 years of age do not require testing.
Please note: A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). Vaccines must be approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Seabourn
Updated: November 9, 2022
https://www.seabourn.com/en_US/health-safety.html
We have relaxed our global protocols and travel requirements for most cruises. Before you cruise, check our Enhanced Protocol Lookup and FAQs to find out if your voyage requires additional health regulation requirements.
Viking
Updated: November 9, 2022
https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/my-trip/current-sailings/index.html
Viking has discontinued all onboard COVID testing fleetwide. However, the cruise will continue to provide testing if a guest reports symptoms, requests a test, or if our Medical Team deems it necessary. Our vaccine requirement for all guests and crew remains in place—and for the time being, our crew will keep testing as needed and will wear masks at all times.
Additionally, Viking highly recommends, but no longer requires, a pre-departure COVID-19 test—unless one is required by the destination. As of June 10, 2022, select ocean voyages on the Viking Orion and expedition voyages on the Viking Octantis in the United States and Canada will continue to require a pre-departure COVID-19 test. Further details can be found here.
Virgin
Updated: November 9, 2022
https://www.virginvoyages.com/voyage-well#general-information
In keeping in line with the rest of the travel industry, Virgin have removed all vaccine and testing requirements beginning October 30, 2022 on Valiant Lady and October 28, 2022 on Scarlet Lady.
While all Sailors no longer require COVID-19 testing prior to their embarkation date, should a Sailor exhibit signs or symptoms of an illness during check-in (or during their voyage), Virgin Voyages reserves the right to test that Sailor and their traveling companion(s) for COVID-19 at the terminal (or on board), and will cover the testing fees.
*Last modified December 7, 2022. Subject to change.