Norwegian Cruise Line today dropped vaccine requirements and relaxed testing requirement
Norwegian Cruise Line today dropped vaccine requirements and relaxed testing requirement for sailings beginning September 2, 2022. Unlike Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line’s earlier announcements relaxing cruise protocols on sailings of 5 nights or less, there was no mention of cruise duration in NCL’s announcement. Additionally, Norwegian cruise line will not require an exemption for unvaccinated cruisers, unlike Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
The line stated:
“As the world continues to open up, luring travelers to explore their favorite destinations once again more freely, we have updated our health and safety protocols to further align to those of the broader travel, leisure and hospitality industry worldwide. The relaxation of global protocols and travel requirements, makes it easier for guests to return to sea with us. As such, for sailings beginning September 3, 2022, all travelers are invited to sail with us once again, regardless of vaccination status.*”
Protocols vary by age, country status and vaccine status and can be reviewed on the line’s updated Sail Safe Page. The line is still requiring that all guests age twelve and over must be fully vaccinated for sailings through September 2, 2022.
Vaccination Requirements for sailings embarking September 3, 2022 and beyond:
Guests age twelve and over will be allowed to board unvaccinated. Unvaccinated guests age twelve and over will be required to show proof of a medically supervised negative PCR or Antigen test taken no more than 72 hours prior to embarkation.
For guests age 11 years or younger, no additional protocols or testing requirements apply.
Local regulations may have different requirements to enter certain countries – make sure to check Travel Requirements by Country to understand country specific requirements. If you’re planning to visit the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Bermuda, Europe or Canada, be sure to check out the requirements as they are currently more stringent, and it some cases, unvaccinated guests are not allowed.
Testing & Pre-Embarkation Protocols for sailings embarking September 3, 2022 and beyond:
For Guests < 11 years – no testing is required, regardless of vaccination status.
For Guests ≥ 12 years – no testing is required for vaccinated guests, however, for unvaccinated guests proof of a medically supervised negative PCR or Antigen test taken no more than 72 hours prior to embarkation is required.
Face Coverings
Masks are optional on all sailings, unless visiting ports in Italy. In these ports, masks are required while indoors. Italian ports specifically require KN95/FFP2 type masks.
Please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country for more information about the destinations and mask type required.
More Norwegian Cruise Line News and Information
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Norwegian Takes Delivery Of Norwegian Prima
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