COVID-19

Here Are the Updated COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Each Major Cruise Line

For many, testing and vaccination requirements have made cruising more confusing than ever

NBC Universal, Inc.

Ever since the start of the pandemic, new COVID-19 protocols have complicated many travelers' ideal summer getaway: cruising.

To many, the newfound hassle of determining cruise line regulations, gathering documents and finding a testing center has turned many away from sailing. In recent months, however, many cruise lines have altered requirements to become more lenient on pre-boarding testing regulations.

Before taking to the seas on your next adventure, read this guide to review the updated testing mandates on all of your favorite cruise lines.

(All information is based on sailings out of the United States.)

Carnival Cruise Lines

Testing Requirements for Vaccinated Passengers:

  • Vaccinated guests must continue to provide evidence of their vaccination status, either through VeriFLY or at embarkation.
  • Pre cruise testing is no longer required, except for the following destination regulations: 
    • Canada: a PCR test can be taken 3 days before sailing or an antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing
    • Bermuda: a PCR test can be taken 4 days before sailing or an antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing
    • Greece: a PCR or antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing
    • Australia: a PCR test 3 days before sailing or a self-administered antigen test 1 day before sailing

Testing Requirements for Unvaccinated Passengers:

  • Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail and are no longer required to apply for a vaccine exemption, except for cruises in Australia or on voyages 16 nights and longer. 
  • Unvaccinated guests or those who do not provide proof of vaccination must present the results of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of embarkation, expect for the following destination regulations: 
    • Canada: a PCR test can be taken 3 days before sailing or an antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing
    • Bermuda: a PCR test can be taken 4 days before sailing (antigen tests are not accepted)
    • Australia: a PCR test 3 days before sailing or a self-administered antigen test 1 day before sailing

For more information, please see here.



Celebrity Cruise Line

People take pictures of the new French-made cruise ship "Celebrity Edge" of the US company of tourism cruise, Celebrity Cruise, as it leaves the shipyards of Saint-Nazaire to go to Miami, United States, on November 4, 2018 in Saint-Nazaire, western France.
Sebastien Salom Gomis | AFP | Getty Images

Testing Requirements for Vaccinated Passengers:

  • Cruises 5 days or less: With the exception of sailings to Bermuda and Canada, no fully vaccinated passengers will be required to test before sailing.
  • Cruises 6 days or more: All guests are required to take an official COVID-19 test before boarding. They can take a PCR test 72 hours prior to sailing, or an antigen test two days prior to sailing.

Testing Requirements for Unvaccinated Passengers:

All unvaccinated guests ages 2 and older are required to receive a lab-administered PCR or antigen test up to 3 days before sailing.

For more information, please see here.


Cunard Luxury Cruise Line

CHINA - 2020/03/25: In this photo illustration the cruise line company Cunard logo seen displayed on a smartphone with a computer model of the COVID-19 coronavirus on the background. (Photo by Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Testing Requirements:

All guests 5 and older are required to take an official negative COVID-19 test before embarking.

For more information, please see here.


Disney Cruise Line

PORT CANAVERAL, UNITED STATES - 2020/03/13: The Disney Dream cruise ship prepares to depart from Port Canaveral in Florida the day before the cruise line suspends its operations for all new departures effective March 14 in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Getty Images

Testing Requirements for Vaccinated Passengers:

All vaccinated guests are required to show proof of a negative antigen, NAAT or PCR test within two days of sailing.

Testing Requirements for Unvaccinated Passengers:

Unvaccinated guests (those 4 and under) must provide proof of a negative NAAT or PCR test within three days of sailing. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.

For more information, please see here.


Holland America Cruise Line

Holland America cruise ship, Koningsdam , docks in San Diego on Dec. 26, 2021.

Testing Requirements:

Regardless of vaccination status, all guests ages 2 and up are required to show proof of a negative antigen or NAAT COVID test.

For more information, please see here.


MSC Cruises

The the 92,409-ton, 16-deck MSC Orchestra cruise ship exits the lagoon as it leaves Venice, Italy
AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

Testing Requirements for Vaccinated Passengers:

  • Cruises 5 days or less: Beginning August 29, no fully vaccinated passengers will be required to test before sailing.
  • Cruises 6 days or more: All guests are required to take an official COVID-19 test before boarding.

Testing Requirements for Unvaccinated Passengers:

All unvaccinated guests ages 2 and older are required to receive a lab-administered PCR or antigen test up to 3 days before sailing.

For more information, please see here.


Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line
Paul Marotta | Getty Images
Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Dawn

Testing Requirements for Vaccinated Passengers:

Beginning September 4, no fully vaccinated passengers will be required to test before sailing.

Testing Requirements for Unvaccinated Passengers:

Beginning September 4, all children under 11 years old will not be required to test before sailing. Children 12 and older who are unvaccinated must receive a PCR or antigen test up to 72 hours before sailing.

For more information, please see here.


Princess Cruise Line

File Image: In this photo illustration the cruise line company Princess Cruises logo seen displayed on a smartphone with a computer model of the COVID-19 coronavirus on the background. (Photo by Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Getty Images

Testing Requirements: All guests 2 and older are required to submit a negative test regardless of vaccination status.

For more information, please see here.


Royal Caribbean Cruises

Fotografía cedida por la naviera Royal Caribbean donde se aprecia "Wonder of the Seas", el barco de cruceros más grande del mundo, que zarpó este viernes en su primera salida desde el puerto Everglades, en Fort Lauderdale, Florida (EE.UU.). EFE/ Royal Caribbean

Testing Requirements for Vaccinated Passengers:

  • Cruises 5 days or less: With the exception of sailings to Bermuda and Canada, no fully vaccinated passengers will be required to test before sailing.
  • Cruises 6 days or more: All guests are required to take an official COVID-19 test before boarding. They can take a PCR test 72 hours prior to sailing, or an antigen test two days prior to sailing.

Testing Requirements for Unvaccinated Passengers:

All unvaccinated guests ages 2 and older are required to receive a lab-administered PCR or antigen test up to 3 days before sailing.

For more information, please see here.


Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking Sky arrives Molde
EFE

Testing Requirements:

Viking does not require a pre-departure COVID-19 test unless it is required by a sailing's destination.

For more information, please see here.


Contact Us