Carnival Cruise Line has just joined a growing number of companies lifting a number of its Covid-19 protocols.
Many cruise lines have already stated that they will no longer require passengers to undergo pre-cruise testing unless required by local laws. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Virgin Voyages are some of the cruise lines that have changed their health and safety procedures.
Beginning Aug. 4, Carnival will no longer require vaccinated passengers booking a cruise with an itinerary of five nights or less to be tested before sailing. The cruise line also said pre-cruise testing can be done three days before departure for itineraries of six nights or more.
Unvaccinated passengers will not be tested on the day of departure. However, all passengers who are two years of age or older must provide evidence of a negative COVID antigen test performed in a laboratory or under supervision within three days prior to departure.
“We remain, as always, committed to the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we serve,” a Carnival spokesperson said. “These changes will be phased in, with the first of these updates taking effect on August 4 and focusing on short-haul itineraries of five nights or less.”
More adjustments will be announced in the coming weeks, all of which will depend on the demands of the locations on the schedule.
On July 18, the COVID-19 cruise ship program was officially terminated by the CDC. Although cruise lines could not exactly opt out of the program, this “voluntary” program replaced the CDC’s previous order issued in February.
Just days after the cruise ship COVID-19 program was suspended, the CDC released a new set of recommendations for the cruise sector. The government agency still strongly advises pre-boarding coronavirus testing within a day of departure, although many of the new recommendations are optional.
