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: May 18, 2023
https://www.amawaterways.com/travel-entry-requirements
For river cruises in 2023 and 2024, AmaWaterways is not requiring proof of Covid-19 vaccination to board our ships. 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.
Azamara
Updated: August 31, 2023
https://www.azamara.com/booked-guests/before-you-board/explore-well-at-sea
Health & Safety Protocols
You can be confident embarking on any of our ships knowing we have advanced protocols in place to protect the health and safety of our guests and crew. As public health situations change, we continuously update, monitor, and add information on travel requirements. We encourage guests to check applicable government websites for the countries we visit. If there are any specific travel requirements, we will inform booked guests prior to sailing.
Carnival
Updated: July 18, 2023
Cruising with Carnival is easy! Vaccines and testing are not required for most U.S. and European departures.*
Guests sailing to and from Australia must visit the Australia Have Fun. Be Safe. page for protocols specific to those cruises.
VACCINATION & TESTING
Although vaccines are not required, we 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. Testing is not required for either vaccinated or unvaccinated guests. However, we encourage all guests, 5 years and older, to take a pre-cruise COVID-19 test within three days of their cruise.
Celebrity
Updated: August 31, 2023
https://www.celebritycruises.com/health-and-safety
HEALTHY AT SEA
Creating the best cruise experience possible means prioritizing the well-being of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit. With the guidance of health officials around the globe and the counsel of our dedicated shoreside and shipboard medical teams, we continually update our health and safety protocols to align with global best practices.
If you’re currently booked on a cruise vacation with us and have provided an email address, you will be advised of the latest health and safety guidance leading up to departure. Be sure to update your guest account so that we may reach you.
Costa
Updated: Jan 12, 2024
https://www.costacruises.com/cruising-soon-again/safety-above-all.html
Your Cruise Free from protocols
Since the WHO has downgraded COVID to an endemic disease, we have updated and revised our health protocols. The only thing you have to worry about is packing your suitcase!
Cunard
Updated: Jan 12, 2024
There are currently no vaccination or pre-cruise testing requirements for any Cunard voyages.
While Covid-19 vaccinations aren't required for Cunard voyages, we highly recommend that all guests travelling on our ships are up to date with Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters where eligible and available.
If you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 or test positive in the 3 days prior to embarkation then please declare this to the terminal or check-in staff. Our on board medical team will then provide a secondary screening and assess if you are fit to travel.
If there are changes to the requirements for a voyage, impacted guests will be contacted directly in advance of travel. Also, at the time of travel, some ports of call may stipulate specific vaccine or testing policies for guests going ashore that differ from the Cunard vaccination and testing policy.
During your voyage it is your responsibility to meet all the entry requirements for that country at the time of sailing. Please check the government website of the country you are travelling to and ensure you are aware of the most up-to-date country requirements, as we can’t accept responsibility if you are denied entry to a country because you don’t meet the entry requirements.
Disney
Updated: December 29, 2022
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/advisory/
Our Approach to Health and Safety
Our focus remains on operating our ships in a responsible way that continues to create magic for all on board. We are resuming sailing in a gradual, phased approach that emphasizes multiple layers of health and safety measures, developed in consideration of guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical experts. Visit Know Before You Go to learn more about COVID-19 protocols and sailing requirements.
Holland America
Updated: May 18, 2023
https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/news/coronavirus-travel-advisory.html
CDC Travel Advisories
We welcome 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 our Travel Well webpage and the guest notices they receive as a guide for upcoming voyages.
U.S. Entry Testing No Longer Required For International Air Travelers
As of Sunday, June 12, 2022, the U.S. CDC no longer requires air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight.
Visitors around the world will now be able to disembark their cruise, take in the sites of the port and return to their home country with ease.
Notice To Passengers Regarding Advice From US Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) On COVID-19 And Cruise Ship Travel
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes travel advice, warnings and recommendations related to COVID-19, including for travel on cruise ships, which you should consult at CDC Cruise Ship Travel website before confirming a reservation.
If a threshold of COVID-19 is detected onboard, the voyage will be ended, the ship returned to the port of embarkation, and your subsequent travel or return home may be restricted or delayed.
MSC
Updated: July 18, 2023
https://www.msccruisesusa.com/health-and-safety-measures/caribbean-cruises
Thanks to the recent relaxation of travel restrictions worldwide, we are glad to welcome all guests back on board our ships without any testing requirements or concerns about their vaccination status.
Please remember that it is the responsibility of each guest to ensure they meet the requirements of any country they may be traveling through before, during, and after the cruise.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Updated: Jan 31, 2024
With Sail Safe, our industry leading Health & Safety Programme, we will continue to put our guests and our crew members first by keeping everyone safe and healthy on board our ships and in the communities we visit. In addition to requiring our crew to be up-to-date with all their vaccinations, we will continue to evolve our already robust science-backed programme to broaden our cleaning, sanitation and air filtration technologies across our fleet.
Princess
Updated: June 22, 2023
https://www.princess.com/en-int/faq/pre-cruise#before-you-leave-for-your-cruise
Current Health Protocols for Cruises Visiting Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific Countries
Vaccinations
- Guests must have received their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before the beginning of the cruise and provide acceptable proof at terminal check-in.
- Boosters are highly recommended for those eligible at least seven days before cruising.
Testing
- At terminal check-in, guests must attest to a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or rapid antigen) taken before embarkation.
Royal Caribbean
Updated: Jan 12, 2024
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-vaccines-are-required-to-travel-on-a-cruise
All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. In many cases inoculations are recommended, but in some circumstances, they are required by the country from which your cruise departs or countries we visit. We recommend that you check with your health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. Other informational resources can be accessed on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traveler's health website or by calling toll-free (877) FYI-TRIP and on the World Health Organization website.
COVID-19 Vaccination is no longer required to sail, though we recommend guests be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While vaccination is not required, we kindly ask that you disclose your status during check-in.
Seabourn
Updated: February 27, 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 Protocol Lookup and FAQs to find out if your voyage requires additional health regulation requirements.
Viking
Updated: June 5, 2023
https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/my-trip/current-sailings/index.html
In May 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) ended its global health emergency declaration for COVID-19, and the U.S. government lifted many of its remaining COVID-19 requirements. Most countries around the world, including the U.S., have now lifted their vaccine requirements for foreign travelers. In alignment with these recent developments, Viking will not require COVID-19 vaccination for departures beginning on or after November 1, 2023. Viking will continue to require that all guests be vaccinated against COVID-19 if they are departing on a Viking voyage on or before October 31, 2023. Experts agree that vaccination continues to be an integral part in protecting against illness. Viking recommends that guests stay up to date with all relevant vaccines, in accordance with their healthcare provider.
Virgin
Updated: October 26, 2022
https://www.virginvoyages.com/voyage-well#general-information
In keeping in line with the rest of the travel industry, we have removed all vaccine and testing requirements.
*Last modified January 31, 2024. Subject to change.