MIAMI, August 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Carnival Cruise Line today announced protocol updates that meet public health goals but recognize the evolving nature of COVID-19. With these changes, America’s cruise line is making sailing easier for more guests with simplified vaccination and testing guidelines, including no testing for vaccinated guests on cruises of less than 16 nights and eliminating the process of the exemption request for unvaccinated guests, who will only need to show a negative test result on departure. All new guidelines are effective for departing cruises Tuesday, September 6, 2022 or later, and include:
- Vaccinated guests must continue to provide proof of their vaccination status prior to departure. Pre-cruise testing is no longer required, except for voyages in Canada, Bermuda, Greece AND Australia (according to local guidelines), and on trips of 16 nights or longer.
- Unvaccinated guests are welcome to cruise and are no longer required to apply for a vaccine exemption, except for cruises on Australia or on trips 16 nights or longer.
- Unvaccinated guests or those who do not provide proof of vaccination must submit the results of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within three days of departure.
- All policies are subject to local regulations of the destination.
Note: Guests under the age of five are exempt from vaccination and testing requirements United States and under the age of 12 from Australia.
Voyages 16 nights and longer will continue to have itinerary-specific vaccination and testing requirements. Long haul requirements and destination specific protocols are available at Carnival’s Have fun. Be sure. page on Carnival.com.
For guests who have a pending vaccine exemption application and are awaiting confirmation of departing cruises September 6 or later, the reservation is confirmed unless booked on a calling cruise Canada, Bermuda, Australia or if the trip is 16 nights or longer.
“Our ships have been sailing full all summer, but there is still room for more of our loyal guests and these guidelines will make it a simpler process and make sailing accessible for those who were unable to meet protocols that we were required to follow for most of the last 14 months,” he said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We have a lot going on, with Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Celebration joining our fleet this November and more to come in 2023. Whatever ship, home port or itinerary works for you, our great team on board is ready to deliver a fun vacation – something we all look forward to even more these days!”
Duffy added that Carnival is in the process of updating its website, communications and processes, and sharing more details with guests and travel advisor partners to reflect these new, simplified policies. “We appreciate the patience of our friends and Trip Advisor partners as we update all the materials, but the end result is a very positive one for everyone who looks forward to sailing with us,” she said.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
ABOUT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
Carnival Cruise Line, part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is proud to be known as America’s Cruise Line. Since its founding in 1972, Carnival has continuously revolutionized the cruise industry, making cruise vacations an affordable and popular option for millions of guests. Carnival operates from 14 US domestic ports and employs more than 40,000 crew members representing 120 nationalities. The newest carnival ship, Mardi Gras, with the first coaster at sea, is America’s first cruise ship powered by environmentally friendly liquefied natural gas (LNG). Carnival returns to Australia IN October 2022 and will welcome four additional ships over the next two years, including Carnival Celebration, which arrives in Miami in November to close the carnival’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
SOURCE Carnival Cruise Line
