It only took one to open the floodgates
As I write this on 12 August 2022 we’ve seen several cruise lines begin loosening their vaccination and testing restrictions. Earlier this week Norwegian Cruise Lines announced it would end testing requirements for most cruises departing from the US as long as destinations on the cruises didn’t require COVID 19 testing. This applies to fully vaccinated guests.
Norwegian also opened the door to unvaccinated guests, again on most cruises as long as destinations do not require travelers to be vaccinated. This leaves out Canada, Bermuda, and a few other destinations. Unvaccinated guests will be, after 3 September 2022, required to test however within three (3) days of embarkation on all cruises.
Once they open the floodgates more go through
It didn’t take long for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to follow suit and they have since announced a drop in testing for SELECT sailings based upon departure ports that will take effect on 5 September 2022.
While a bit more complicated, that’s what we’re here to help you with, essentially on cruises of five (5) nights and less, vaccinated guests departing from Los Angeles and Galveston no longer need to test. Unvaccinated guests will need to test within three (3) days of embarkation. For cruises six (6) nights or more all guests, vaccinated or unvaccinated will need to test within three (3) days of embarkation.
Again, the floodgates have opened, and just as Norwegian is in a state of flux, to be absolutely sure about RCCL requirements go here: shorturl.at/ikR19 or contact us: info@barnstormerstravel.com.
What does all this mean?
Once those floodgates were opened by NCL other cruise lines have beginning to relax vaccination and testing requirements. Yesterday, the CDC announced they were relaxing quarantine recommendations and other protocols. As we move forward and hopefully FULLY out of the COVID 19 pandemic we will continue to see cruising opened up without testing requirements and even vaccination requirements. As always, we recommend travelers not only check the cruise line requirements but destination requirements as well.
