What Top Cruise Lines Are Saying About Possible COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements

The cruise industry has been forced to the sidelines for nearly a year amid the coronavirus pandemic but the emergence of the COVID-19 vaccine has major cruise lines looking ahead to the remainder of 2021 with optimism. Some companies have already announced that crew members will have to be vaccinated before returning to work while others are requiring vaccines for employees and passengers alike. Here's a look at the latest intel from major cruise lines heading into March.

Sister companies American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines were the first U.S. cruise lines to announce that they will require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations from all passengers and crew members provided at least 14 days before sailing. The new requirement is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2021.

Carnival Corp. CEO Arnold Donald has discussed the possibility of requiring COVID-19 vaccines for passengers but has stopped short of confirming any future mandates. "As we do with everything, we'll be informed by our global medical and science experts. It's early, the vaccines are not as readily available to everyone all at once," he said during a webcast "Fireside Chat" with John Lovell, president of Travel Leaders Group earlier this month. "We are sailing, successfully now, without vaccines, on a very limited basis in Germany and Italy with cruises on our AIDA and Costa brands, and other companies are sailing as well, with guests very pleased. So I won't jump the gun now and say it'll be mandated but what I will say is, look, this is in everyone's best interests to get everyone vaccinated."

Crystal Cruises has announced that it will require all guests to show proof that they have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before their sailing. "We know that peace of mind is the greatest luxury, and the vaccine requirement is simply the best way to ensure the safest possible Crystal Experience for all on board," said Jack Anderson, Crystal's interim president and CEO. "This sentiment is underscored by conversations with our guests and travel partners and a recent Cruise Critic survey of cruisers that revealed that more than 80 percent of respondents would cruise if a vaccine were required."

Royal Caribbean International is also requiring that crew members receive the COVID-19 vaccine before sailings resume. "The health of our crew and guests remains our number one priority," Royal Caribbean Corporate Reputation manager Jonathon Fishman said in a statement to TravelPulse. "At this point in our planning, based on science and the guidance of our experts, we are shifting from a strategy based primarily on protocols to one that is based on vaccines, supported by protocols." No announcement has been made yet as to whether or not passengers will be required to be vaccinated before boarding.

Crew members of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises will need to be vaccinated, a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings told Business Insider last month. However, the company declined to comment on the possibility it would require all passengers to receive the coronavirus vaccine before boarding its ships. NCLH cruise brands have currently suspended operations through May 31, 2021.