A number of cruise lines have announced plans to resume operations in the coming months, and some of those brands are requiring proof of a COVID-19 vaccine for passengers. Other brands are expected to follow suit, but have yet to make any announcements.
So, cruise brands that need a COVID-19 vaccine:
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises has also confirmed that all guests will be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days prior to their cruise.
Passengers will be asked to provide proof of vaccination prior to boarding and passengers must receive both doses of the vaccine.
“We know that peace of mind is the greatest luxury; and the need for a vaccine is simply the best way to ensure the safest Crystal Experience possible for everyone on board,” said Interim Crystal President and CEO Jack Anderson.
It is reported that the Crystal crew will also be fully vaccinated.
Royal Caribbean (cruises from Israel and North America)
Without making it company policy, Royal Caribbean announced that COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandatory for guests in two specific regions.
For the recently announced relaunch in North America, all crew on the ship will be vaccinated, and guests 18 years of age and older will also be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
In Israel, Royal Caribbean plans to offer the first fully vaccinated sailings, with crew and guests over 16 years of age required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the cruise line said.
Princess Cruises and P&O
Princess and P&O will also require a COVID-19 vaccination to return to work, in the UK region, planned for the summer.
Carnival Corporation Brands has announced that given the progress in the UK’s vaccination program and the strong preference expressed by guests on this series of UK ocean cruises, the cruises will only be for UK residents who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Celebrity Cruises
Another cruise line requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for passengers is Celebrity Cruises.
The cruise line will offer Caribbean cruises departing from St. Maarten starting June 5th with Celebrity Millennium.
The ship will be sailing with vaccinated crew and will be available to vaccinated adult guests and children under 18 years of age with a negative PCR test within 72 hours of boarding, according to a press release.
Virgin Voyages
In March, Virgin Voyages announced it would require all passengers and crew to be vaccinated before they could board.
“Safety is our number one priority and has always been our number one priority. We’ve heard the President talk about accelerating the rollout of vaccines, where all adults could be vaccinated by May. So, we think that’s an important criterion for creating a safe environment on our ships,” Virgin Voyages CEO Tom McAlpine told ABC News’ Good Morning America. Virgin is currently scheduled to launch flights from Miami on July 1st.
Saga Cruises
In January 2021, Saga Cruises became the first cruise line to introduce mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.
“The health and safety of our customers has always been our number one priority at Saga, which is why we have taken the decision to require everyone traveling with us to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19,” the British cruise line said in a statement.
To travel with Saga, guests must now receive two full doses of the COVID‑19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to their boarding date.
American Queen Company and Victory Cruises Line
Two other cruise lines made COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for all guests in February. American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines announced that the vaccination requirement will go into effect for all sailings beginning July 1, 2021.
Crew members and shipboard employees on all seven ships in both companies’ fleets must also be vaccinated.
“The health and safety of our guests, crew and partners continues to be our top priority. Requiring vaccinations for both our guests and crew is the smartest next step to ensure the safest cruise possible,” said John Wagoner, CEO and founder of American Queen Steamboat Company.
