Carnival Cruise Line on Saturday updated its health and safety protocols, making it easier for unvaccinated passengers to set sail again.
The cruise line announced it is eliminating pre-cruise testing for unvaccinated guests, a nod to what the company said in a statement still meets "public health standards goals but recognizes the evolving nature of COVID-19."
The updated protocols include:
-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 when sailing from the United States and under the age of 12 sailing from Australia.
"Our ships have been sailing very full all summer, but there is still room for more of our loyal guests, and 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," Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement. "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!"
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.
It was just last week that Royal Caribbean updated its health and safety protocols as well.
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