Only days after the Centers for Disease Control handed down its latest guidance, Carnival Cruise Line announced that it will be canceling all cruises until at least July 1, 2021.
“We know that this is very disappointing to our guests who continue to be eager to sail, and we remain committed to working with the Administration and the CDC to find a workable solution that best serves the interest of public health. We are asking that the cruise industry be treated on par with the approach being taken with other travel and tourism sectors, as well as U.S. society at large,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “While we have not made plans to move Carnival Cruise Line ships outside of our U.S. homeports, we may have no choice but to do so in order to resume our operations which have been on ‘pause’ for over a year. We appreciate the continued patience and support from our loyal guests, travel advisors and business partners as we work on a return-to-service solution.”
Update July 21:
The first Carnival Cruise to set sail is out of Galveston and WILL require a vaccine. Here is their official vaccine policy:
Vaccinated cruises are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination. Guests will be asked to confirm their status as fully vaccinated for COVID-19 during check-in and provide proof of vaccination in advance of boarding.* It’s important for guests to come prepared, as those who arrive at the embarkation terminal without the proper proof of vaccination will not be able to cruise, and no refund will be issued.
Guests must present proof of vaccination, as well as all required travel documents, at embarkation. Acceptable proof of vaccination must be in the form of the original vaccination record document issued by the country’s health authority or healthcare provider that administered the vaccination (e.g., U.S. CDC’s Vaccination Record Card). The name on the vaccination record must match the guest’s travel documents and show that the guest is fully vaccinated. This means that the guest has completed the full cycle of required doses for the vaccine administered (e.g., received the second dose in a two-dose series) and that the guest has received the final dose at least 14 days before arriving their cruise departure.
Vaccinated guests do not have to be tested for COVID-19. However, based on medical screening that will take place on embarkation day, testing may be deemed necessary as a precautionary measure, which will be provided at no charge. In the event a test result is positive, the guest and their traveling party will unfortunately not be allowed to sail and will receive a future cruise credit. In such cases, guests may have to quarantine locally and Carnival will assist in helping to make those arrangements.
* Vaccination exemptions must be pre-approved and are subject to capacity controls. Exemptions are not granted on embarkation day. Unvaccinated guests must adhere to specific protocols and testing requirements as communicated to them in advance, as a condition for travel.
Will Carnival Cruises Require A COVID Vaccine?
When looking at search terms on Google for all major cruise lines, the most frequently asked questions now have to do with vaccines. Does Carnival Cruise Line Request A COVID vaccine? Will Carnival Require a COVID vaccine? Is Carnival Cruise line requiring a COVID vaccine? Do I need a COVID vaccine to cruise on Carnival Cruise Line? These are just a few of the variations being searched when it comes to Carnival Cruises. Prior to COVID, top Google searches included Carnival Cruise deals, specials or savings.
What are Carnival Cruise Lines Vaccine Requirements?
In a video announcement on March 26, Carnival president Christine Duffy said the line had not made a decision yet on whether it would require passengers to have a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise.
“While we have not made plans to move Carnival Cruise Line ships outside of our U.S. homeports, we may have no choice but to do so in order to resume our operations which have been on ‘pause’ for over a year,” Duffy explained. “We appreciate the continued patience and support from our loyal guests, travel advisors and business partners as we work on a return-to-service solution.”
“As more Americans are vaccinated, our focus is on securing a decision that will allow for a resumption in cruising from our U.S. homeports consistent with the expected return of other forms of travel for the summer, but with the promise that all Americans who want to vaccine will have access to one by the end of May,” she said. “We are optimistic that we will see travel resume in time for summer.”
Keep in mind that it is possible the CDC will initially require all cruise passengers to all have vaccines. The CDC fell short of announcing that this past Friday, but it is a 4 part plan they have in mind for cruises to resume, so it’s still possible that Carnival will at least for the time being require all passengers to be vaccinated when cruises first resume which they hope will be this July.
Carnival has not addressed this issue yet under their frequently asked questions section of their website. So far here is what Carnival has released.
Carnival Corp CEO Was Asked Will Carnival Cruises Require A COVID Vaccine?
In an interview with Bloomberg dated April 13, 2021, the Arnold Donald, the CEO of the Carnival Corporation, was asked will you require passengers to be vaccinated, like Norwegian Cruise Line just announced it will? His response was “No, absolutely. We would encourage everyone to get vaccinated, but today vaccines are not accessible to everyone. In some places it is illegal to mandate. And we respect personal choice and personal liberty. So we’ll follow what the regulations are wherever it is.” A follow up question was then posed. Even when the rules about vaccinations may go harder against your industry? To which he stated “We stand to do the thing that’s in the best interest of public health. However, if vaccines are not mandated for other forms of travel and tourism, then we’re not sure that it makes sense to mandate them for cruises either. We think fair and level treatment, serving the best interest of public health, is what we should be about.”
Embarkation for Carnival Cruises
Before boarding, each guest must complete their online check-in which will include a health questionnaire. To allow for social distancing guests can only enter the terminal area at their assigned time to allow for social distancing. This will apply to all level guests including Diamond, Platinum, and VIFP. Also, all guests over the age of 2 will have to have a negative COVID test (SARS-CoV-2 test) taken 5 days or less (up to 24 hours before departure.) This will be at the travelers expense. If you test positive you will be denied boarding and given a future cruise credit as long as you show to provide the test results in writing. Carnival also can randomly test guests at the port.
Carnival Cruises Onboard COVID Measures
The ship will sail with a reduced capacity although those final numbers could vary by ship and destination. Entertainment and dining will be modified to ensure proper distancing as well as health and safety measures. You may have to make reservations for certain activities. Carnival plans to do daily temperature checks on all guests. Cruises over the age of 2 will be required to wear a mask when indoors except in a stateroom or dining room. Guests will also wear masks outdoors where physical distancing is not possible. Face masks must cover the nose and mouth at all times. Bandanas are not permitted and face shields can be used but only on top of a regular mask. Various location tracking technologies may be used to assist in the collection of contact tracing information such as wearables, video surveillance, transaction data, and photographs taken during the cruise.
Also Read: Carnival Cruise Line Future Cruise Credits
Carnival Cruise Shore Excursions
When in port, initially you would just be able to walk off and explore like before. Carnival will have select shore excursions that you can choose from that comply with social distancing and any other guidelines issued by the CDC or local governments you are visiting. If you book something that is not approved by Carnival you will be denied boarding.
Related posts:
NCL Cruises Resumes for Vaccinated Passengers
Which Cruise Lines Require a COVID-19 vaccine
When Will Cruises Resume 2021
Do I Have To Wear Face Masks on a cruise
