What are the New Cruise Ship Regulations regarding COVID-19?
Amid another surge in COVID-19 cases, the CDC surprisingly announced on July 18, 2022, that its Program for Cruise Ships is no longer in effect. This means that cruise ships are now determining their own COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, if any. Before going on a cruise, consider a cruise line’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols to help you determine if you feel safe and comfortable traveling.
What are the New COVID-19 Cruise Ship Regulations?
Cruise ships operating in US waters are no longer required to follow the CDC’s Program for Cruise ships and are managing their own COVID-19 mitigation programs. The CDC continues to provide guidelines, and many cruise lines are relaxing their policies for vaccinated individuals. The situation is continuing to change and varies among cruise lines.
Below is a general outline of the new COVID-19 protocols for popular cruise lines. Additional or different guidelines may be in place depending on where the cruise travels. In most cases, vaccine exemptions are limited to a small number of guests and are capacity-controlled based on the number of vaccinated guests.
Royal Caribbean’s COVID-19 Protocols
Under 6 Nights | Over 6 Nights | |
|---|---|---|
Vaccinated Travelers | Testing NO longer required | Testing IS required up to 3 days before departure |
Unvaccinated Travelers | Testing IS required up to 3 days before departure
| |
Crew | All crew must be fully vaccinated and boosted when eligible and tested regularly | |
Information from Royal Caribbean’s Healthy Sail Center
Carnival Cruise Line’s COVID-19 Protocols
Under 6 Nights | Over 6 Nights | |
|---|---|---|
Vaccinated Travelers | Testing NO longer required | Testing IS required up to 3 days before departure |
Unvaccinated Travelers | Testing IS required up to 3 days before departure and is NO longer required to be tested on the day of departure
| |
Recently Recovered from COVID-19 (recovered from COVID-19 within 3 months and are at least 10 days past the positive test result date) | A pre-departure test is NOT required regardless of vaccination status.
A document of recovery IS required. | |
Information from Carnival Cruise’s COVID-19 Guest Protocols
MSC Cruises
Under 6 Nights | Over 6 Nights | |
|---|---|---|
Vaccinated Travelers | Testing NO longer required | Testing IS required WITHIN 3 days before departure |
Unvaccinated Travelers | Testing IS required WITHIN 3 days before departure
| |
Crew | All crew must be fully vaccinated and boosted when eligible and tested regularly | |
Information from MSC’s Health and Safety Measures
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Current CDC COVID-19 Recommendations for Cruise Ships
The CDC continues to provide detailed guidelines for how cruise ships should operate regarding COVID-19. It recommends that:
- All eligible travelers are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations
- Cruise ships require COVID-19 testing within 1 day of embarking
- Cruise lines should consider operating with at least 90 percent of passengers and 95 percent of crew members up to date on vaccines
- Isolating or quarantining travelers in single-occupancy cabins if they test positive for the virus
- Cruise ships routinely screen crew for COVID-19
You can read more about the CDC’s cruise ship guidelines for passengers and cruise lines on their website.
What was the CDC’s Program for Cruise Ships?
The CDC’s Program for Cruise Ships was first implemented in February 2022 for all cruise ships operating in US waters. It provided standardized COVID-19 protocols among cruise lines and a color tracking system so that the CDC could closely monitor and track COVID-19 outbreaks onboard.
CDC’s Color Tracking System for COVID-19 Cases on Cruise Ships
CDC’s Color Tracking System for COVID-19 Cases on Cruise Ships
Of all the 95 vessels monitored by the CDC, each one was classified as “orange” the day the CDC decided to end the program on July 18, 2022. An “orange” classification indicates that the CDC was beginning or continuing an investigation into the ship’s prevention measures based on reported onboard cases.
Without a standard tracking system and required protocols, the status of onboard COVID-19 cases among cruise ships will likely be difficult to determine. The CDC continues to provide guidelines for cruise ships; however, cruise lines are not required to follow them.
Cruise Ship COVID-19 Regulations Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
With the CDC’s Program for Cruise Ships ending, the COVID-19 protocols implemented by cruise lines is now up to each ship and vary based on vaccination status, travel destination, and length of sail. Below we answer some questions you may have regarding cruise ships and COVID-19.
What happens if I get COVID-19 on a cruise ship?
If you test positive for COVID-19 on a cruise ship, you will be required to quarantine and isolate in a separate room. If you are disembarking at a U.S. port, you will be allowed to leave and should follow the latest isolation guidelines provided by the CDC.
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What are the COVID-19 regulations for returning to the US?
As of June 12, 2022, passengers traveling from a foreign country into the US are no longer required to show a negative COVID-19 test or a document of recovery form.
Are there any monkeypox regulations for cruise ships?
There are currently no monkeypox regulations for cruise ships. Monkeypox vaccines are available and are currently administered on a need basis.
Bottom Line
Cruise ships operating in US waters can now determine their own COVID-19 protocols and will alter their guidelines depending on how the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. Many cruise lines are relaxing their testing requirements for short-length cruises for vaccinated individuals, and some are becoming more accessible to non-vaccinated passengers. Before traveling, it is important to know the current status of COVID-19 and research a cruise line’s COVID-19 protocols.
Erica graduated from Emory University in Atlanta with a BS in environmental science and a minor in English and is on track to graduate with her Master's in Public Health. She is passionate about health equity, women's health, and how the environment impacts public health.
