How To Cruise During COVID
Cruising during COVID can be complicated, but it doesn't have to be! Here's our guide on how to set sail in 2022.
The cruising industry was arguably hit the hardest by the pandemic, with cruise ships having some of the world's first outbreaks. Since summer 2021, cruise ships have set sail once more, albeit with a host of new requirements for travelers aimed at keeping people safe. Let's dig into all the changes, and what to expect while you're on board!
First, A Word About The CDC
It may come as a surprise to some, but the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a lot of say on which cruise lines can set sail. It was their "no-sail" directive that halted the domestic cruise industry in 2020, and their new regulations that cruise lines must follow to continue to host travelers like you.
Thankfully, since the no-sail order has been lifted, the CDC has continued to loosen its guidelines. Just know that it's incredibly important to check with your cruise line directly on what's required for your sailing. This article is meant to be a helpful guide, but the most up-to-date information will be found on your cruise line's website.
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Requirement #1: Vaccinations
Vaccinations are the first requirement that travelers must have in order to sail on cruises right now, and for good reason! Cruise ships have always been places that airbone diseases can spread easily, so the requirement will hopefully prevent massive oubreaks from occurring. Each cruise line has different stipulations (like for boosters, age which you have to be fully vaccinated, etc), so we'll break things down by cruise line.
American Queen Voyages: All sailors fully vaccinated (14 days after final shot)
Avalon Waterways: All sailors must be fully vaccinated before boarding.
Azamara: All sailors 12 years and older must be fully vaccinated (2 weeks before boarding); Under 12 must take an antigen test before boarding and after the sailing.
Carnival Cruises: Carnival operates both "vaccinated" and "non-vaccinated" cruises. On vaccinated cruises, all guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before sailing. On the other cruises, guests 12 and over must have a doctor's note with a reason why they can't be vaccinated.
Celebrity Cruises: Guests 12 and older must be fully vaccinated, with guests 18 and older for sailings from the United Kingdom.
Disney Cruise Line: Guests 5 and older must be fully vaccinated.
Holland America Line: All guests must be fully vaccinated (14 days before sailing).
MSC Cruises: Guests 12 and older must be fully vaccinated.
Norwegian Cruise Line: All guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before sailing.
Oceania Cruises: All guests must be fully vaccinated before sailing.
Princess Cruises: All guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before sailing.
Regent: All guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before sailing.
Royal Caribbean: All guests 12+ must be fully vaccinated 14 days before sailing.
Seabourn: All guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before sailing.
Silversea: All guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before sailing.
Victory: All guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before sailing.
Viking: All guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before sailing.
Virgin Voyages: All guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before sailing.
Windstar: All guests must be fully vaccinated 14 days before sailing.
Requirement #2: Testing Pre-Cruise
Another potential requirement pre-cruise will be to find a COVID test. I recently sailed on the Virgin Voyage Scarlet Lady, who made it easy to test because all guests took an antigen test in the terminal before boarding. There was no requirement to find a test 24 or 48 or 72 hours before. While this might add some anxiety right before boarding ("What if I test positive??"), the process was smooth and simple. These requirements were tightened a bit when the Omicron variant began circling around, but have begun to loosen again for March 2022 sailings for many cruise lines. For example, my March 2022 Princess cruise currently requires an antigen or PCR test taken within two days of sailing, but they've announced they may be loosening that restriction for our cruise.
Requirement #3: Masks
Many cruise lines are requiring masks on board sailings, unless actively eating or drinking. This was done upon the initial re-start of cruising, and then re-instated after the Omicron variant began spreading. However, these requirements are starting to be repealed as cases come down due to Omicron. Check with your cruise line directly on requirements on board. When I sailed on Virgin Voyages in January 2022, masks were required outside our staterooms, but overall it didn't detract from our fun time on board.
What If You Test Positive?
A great question. If you test positive while on board (most sailings under 10 days won't be requiring testing), the cruise line will quarantine you from other passengers. That might be in your present stateroom, or on a passenger deck specially designated as a quarantine floor. Many cruise lines are offering a pro-rated refund for the fun days you missed on board if you test positive (another thing to check with your cruise line about). While incredibly inconvenient, the hope would be that symptoms are minor or non-existent, and at least you'll have some great room service and views during your quarantine time!
The Onboard Experience
Like many travel opportunities during the pandemic, the experience on board may be a little different than "normal cruising." That may include reduced capacity in shows, restaurants, and activities, or even less people on board your ship than normal! I've also found that itineraries are changing more frequently than before- I received an email this morning from Princess detailing some date swaps for ports we're visiting on my upcoming voyage, for example. To me, I think it's helpful for travelers to go with a "go with the flow" attitude to cruising right now. There may be slight annoyances, or service hiccups, that under normal times would be cause for concern. Exercise patience, be nice to others, and remember that you're cruising, so have a good time!
