The three largest cruise operators, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines, will no longer require facial coverings to be worn in most indoor settings. While many mask mandates are soon to be extinct, the new goal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is that most passengers and crews will be fully vaccinated and boosted, as well. Specific masking guidelines will vary per cruise line and be recommended at specified venues and events. See how Covid has changed cruising.
Carnival Cruises said they would offer more flexibility in pre-cruise testing requirements and permit children under five to sail without a vaccine as of March 1st. Royal Caribbean Cruises lifted onboard mask protocols as of February 25th for areas of ships that only permit vaccinated passengers saying that venues designated for vaccinated guests, such as select bars, lounges, restaurants, shows and casinos, would no longer require masks.
Norwegian Cruises 2022 also revealed it would loosen protocols as of March 1st with guests no longer required to wear a mask on board cruises departing U.S. ports and children under five years would not need proof of vaccination. Sister brands are also scheduled to lift mask mandates. Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises are scheduled to lift all mask mandates for fully vaccinated passengers on March 1st. Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages and Princess have already dropped the mask mandates.
The CDC lowered the travel health notice for cruising from a Level 4 to a Level 3, citing a lower number of COVID- 19 cases reported on vessels. They have mentioned cruisers should be up to date on vaccinations and booster shots.
There are three levels ranking a ship’s level of vaccination. “Not highly vaccinated” ships have at least 95% of passengers and crew fully vaccinated. Another is “Highly vaccinated” ships have at least 95% of passengers and crew fully vaccinated, but less than the percentage up to date with boosters. The highest level is the “Vaccination Standard of Excellence,” which is for ships having 95% of passengers and crew fully vaccinated and boosted.
This program that the CDC created is voluntary for cruise ships, but opting out would mean getting a “Gray status” designation, indicating the CDC cannot confirm the ship’s public health measures. So far, 110 ships have opted into the program and none have opted out. All ships are categorized as “Highly vaccinated,” and none meet the top tier criteria.
