The Cruise Lines That Have Dropped Travel Restrictions (And Which Ones Still Have Rules)

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Last Updated 2 years ago

Which cruise lines have dropped COVID-related travel restrictions?

Here's everything you need to know about which cruise lines have dropped vaccine mandates and pre-cruise testing requirements (and which ones still have rules in place.)

According to recent research from Squaremouth, 65% of cruise travelers said they aren't concerned about COVID anymore.

With many countries dropping all entry restrictions in recent months, cruise lines have been following suit and removing onerous requirements like mask-wearing, vaccine mandates, and pre-cruise COVID testing.

However, not all cruise lines have returned to normal cruising yet.

Here's an overview of which cruise lines have dropped restrictions and which ones still have rules in place:

Cruise Lines That Have Dropped ALL Restrictions

The following cruise lines have dropped all restrictions, including vaccine, testing, and mask rules, with exceptions only for itineraries that visit countries with restrictions still in place.

• Norwegian Cruise Line: NCL was one of the first cruise lines to drop vaccine mandates and pre-cruise testing. The only exceptions are for the few countries that still require vaccines and/or testing, such as Bermuda.

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• Royal Caribbean: Vaccines and testing are no longer required, except for on sailings that visit a small number of ports such as Haiti or Colombia, where restrictions are still in place.
• Princess Cruises: Travelers no longer need to provide proof of vaccination or testing on most voyages, with the exception of select “enhanced guidelines voyages” to destinations that still have restrictions.
• Celebrity Cruises: Vaccine and testing requirements have been dropped for all travelers, with exceptions for itineraries that include destinations such as Bermuda, Honduras, and Turks & Caicos.

• Disney Cruise Line: The latest cruise line to drop all requirements is Disney Cruise Line, with exceptions only for select ports of call.

Cruise Lines With Some Restrictions

These cruise lines allow unvaccinated guests but still have some form of testing requirement in place for those who elected to pass on the vaccine.

• Carnival Cruise Line: Vaccines and testing are no longer required, with the exception of the few destinations that still require it. However, one major exception to note is that for cruises of 16 nights or longer, vaccines are still required for all passengers.

• Holland America Line: Unvaccinated guests must submit a negative test taken within 3 days of departure. For cruises of 16 nights or longer, all guests must be vaccinated and provide a negative test.
• MSC Cruises: Vaccines are no longer required, but unvaccinated guests are required to show proof of a negative COVID test prior to departure on some sailings.

Cruise Lines With Heavy Restrictions

The following cruise lines still require all passengers to be vaccinated and exclude unvaccinated travelers.

• AmaWaterways: This river cruise line still currently requires all passengers to be vaccinated in order to cruise with them, although their official site states they hope to remove rules in 2023.
• Cunard Line: All guests over the age of 18 are required to show proof of vaccination and a booster shot. Unvaccinated passengers between the ages of 5 and 17 are required to submit a negative test prior to departure.
• Viking: This river cruise line enforces a strict vaccine and booster policy and periodically tests guests once they are onboard.

What To Know About Cruising Right Now

With more and more cruise lines dropping all COVID-related travel requirements, it's back to cruising as usual.

However, with certain destinations still enforcing vaccine and/or testing requirements, be sure to research your cruise itinerary thoroughly before booking if you want to avoid potential restrictions in countries that have still not fully reopened to all travelers.

Currently, more than 120 countries have dropped all restrictions, including many popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean and Europe.

However, Asia and Oceania, and some countries in Central and South America, still have stricter rules in place.

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