Carnival Cruise Line has announced updated COVID-19 protocol requirements with new guidelines for cruises departing on September 6, 2022.
Significant updates include the removal of pre-cruise testing for vaccinated guests.
Unvaccinated travellers are now welcome to sail and no longer need to provide proof of exemption with only a negative test result at embarkation.
All new guidelines are effective for cruises departing on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, or later, and include the following:
- 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 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.
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.
The cruise line also said bookings are confirmed for guests who have a pending vaccine exemption application and are awaiting confirmation.
This applies for cruises departing September 6 or later except for sailings that call on Canada, Bermuda, or Australia or if the voyage is 16 nights or longer.
Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line said: “Our ships have been sailing very full all summer, but there is still room for more of our loyal guests.
“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.
“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!”
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.
For additional information, visit www.carnival.com.
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