COVID-19 Testing Requirements CHANGE on Another Major Cruise Line

Cruises have seen a lot of changes over the past couple of years.

Disney Wish docked at Castaway Cay

With the global pandemic, we’ve seen different testing policies and vaccination requirements on cruise ships, including Disney Cruise Line. But, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently ended its program for monitoring cruises, and some cruise lines have already made changes. Now, another major cruise line is following suit.

Royal Caribbean will no longer require vaccinated guests to be tested for COVID-19 before boarding cruises that are less than 6 nights, according to a press release from the cruise line.

©Royal Caribbean

The cruise line will still require tests for unvaccinated guests on all voyages, and for vaccinated guests on voyages 6 nights or longer. This policy will go into effect beginning August 8th, 2022.

©Royal Caribbean

So, if you’re vaccinated and going on a cruise that’s less than 6 nights long, you don’t have to worry about being tested for COVID-19 ahead of time.

©Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean said this change is based on the CDC ending its COVID-19 monitoring Program for Cruise Ships last week, which appeared to clear the way for individual cruise companies to make their own rules.

©Royal Caribbean

This isn’t the first major cruise line to change its testing policy. Recently, Virgin Voyages removed their requirement for passengers t0 submit a COVID-19 test before boarding altogether. But, they are still requiring 90% of passengers to be vaccinated on each cruise ship, and all crew members will be vaccinated.

©Virgin Voyages

But, some cruise lines, like Disney Cruise Line, still have strict COVID-19 requirements. Disney Cruise Line requires 100% of vaccine-eligible guests to be fully vaccinated before departure, and all passengers must also submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 2 days before departure, or test at the terminal.