Carnival Cruise Line is proof positive that many eager travelers are willing and ready to cruise now that pre-cruise testing and vaccination requirements have been simplified. Compared to similar dates before the pandemic, bookings are nearly double the previous rates.
Reservations increase with protocol changes
Carnival Cruise Line announced on Friday, August 12, 2022, that it is pre-sailing test requirements will be simplifiedcompletely removing the mandate for vaccinated passengers on cruises of 15 nights or less, depending on the destination.
At the same time, the exemption letter requirement was removed for unvaccinated guests, further simplifying pre-cruise documentation. These changes are effective for sailings departing on or after Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
On Monday, August 15 – the first full day of booking business after the announcement – the cruise line saw an overwhelmingly positive response to the change. Monday’s bookings were nearly double the level for the equivalent day in 2019, well before the start of the pandemic.
“We have previously disclosed strong occupancy projections for the summer, and our bookings to the end of 2022 have also been very solid. said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “With protocols further aligned with other vacation choices, our guests are booking remaining 2022 inventory and planning their 2023 start.”
Mid-summer booking activity is historically a slow period, as families have already planned their annual vacations during the school-free periods and are not yet planning for future trips.
“Mid-August is not typically a busy month for cruise bookings, but it is clear that isolated demand for Carnival has not been met and guests are responding very favorably to our updated protocols.” Duffy said.
Guests have many amazing opportunities to come on Carnival cruises still in 2022, with Bright carnival scheduled to join the fleet in Novemberquickly followed by the debut of the cruise line’s second Excel-class ship, Carnival celebrationwhich will float on it First trip from Miami on November 21st.
Loyal Carnival guests may also want to take advantage of their last chance to enjoy Fantasy Class Carnival ecstasyBefore the ship was retired from the Fun Ship fleet in early October. Carnival ecstasy is offering 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean round-trip cruises from Mobile, Alabama.
A special 10-night Eastern Caribbean cruise departing September 12 Carnival ecstasyRecent visit to eastern ports including Key West, Grand Turk and Puerto Plata.
Safety remains a priority
While pre-cruise testing protocols and vaccination requirements have been relaxed, Carnival Cruise Line remains committed to the health and safety of all guests, crew members and port communities.
The cruise line remains in contact with health officials and authorities from both home ports and ports of call, and will continue to improve onboard and pre-cruise protocols as needed.
All guests will still complete pre-cruise health questionnaires and onboard cleaning and hygiene protocols remain enhanced. All crew members are fully vaccinated and receive booster shots when eligible.
Staggered boarding procedures are still in place with boarding meetings to minimize crowding and guests are encouraged to use VeriFly to upload their health documentation for smoother boarding. To date, more than one million Carnival Cruise Line guests have successfully used VeriFly.
With such strong interest in cruise travel continuing to grow, Carnival Cruise Line is poised to bring amazing entertainment and memorable vacations to many cruise travelers well into 2022 and well into 2023.
