Carnival Cruise Line | Travel Requirements & Safety Protocols

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Great news! Carnival Cruise's entire fleet of 23 ships is back in service! We are your resource for the most up to date information around vaccination & testing requirements, whether you will need a mask, taking shore excursions, and health & safety measurements taken by the cruise line.

The CDC removed its travel warning for cruise ships on March 31, 2022. Carnival Corporation will continue participation in the CDC voluntary program until further notice.

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Need to know Information

Pre-cruise boarding checklist:

• Register with Carnival and complete your pre-cruise vaccine attestation question email within 24 hours of booking (or cruise will be cancelled by Carnival) if unvaccinated guest is on reservation you will need to submit a request for capacity-managed (vaccination) exemption within 48 hours of making reservation - this must be done in order to prevent cancellation of your booking
• Ensure you get a negative viral COVID-19 test taken within 2 days of departure
• Complete online health questionnaire 72 hours prior to sailing
• Pack your vaccine card if vaccinated (Booster is recommended at least seven days before boarding),
• Review and understand the travel Insurance requirement for unvaccinated guests on Florida & Texas based ships
• Masks - recommended except where required by local authoritities) 
• Shore excursions - Unvaccinated guests may be permitted to go ashore when booked on an excersion - unless otherwise specified.
• Guests are traveling on back to back cruises, regardless of vaccination status, will need to be tested between voyages

Guests booked on sailings April 2022 and onward

Including Europe, 2023, and 2024 sailings (excludes Australia sailings)

• Children under 12 are not eligible to sail on 10+ day cruises at this time.
• Until further notice, Carnival will continue to operate vaccinated voyages with enhanced protocols
• The vaccine exemption process is currently open for sailings through December 31, 2022

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Carnival Health & Safety FAQs

What are the pre-cruise COVID-19 tests requirements?

Guests who are vaccinated:

• Guests who are up to date with their vaccines may take their test within three days prior to sailing.
  • Up to date means a guest has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, including any booster dose, when eligible.
• Guests who are fully vaccinated but not up to date with their vaccines, they must take their pre-cruise COVID-19 test within two days prior to sailing.
  • If you are eligible for a booster and have not received one, you are not considered up to date.
  • Bermuda and Canada: Fully vaccinated guests traveling to Bermuda and Canada, including those who are up to date with their vaccines, can take either a PCR test between 72 and 24 hours prior to sailing, or an antigen pre-cruise test no earlier than two days prior to sailing, in order to comply with CDC and destination regulations

Guests who are not vaccinated:

• Guests age 2 and older must present a negative PCR COVID-19 test, taken within 72 and 24 hours prior to the sailing date at check-in.

What kind of pre-cruise COVID-19 tests are acceptable?

• Guests must be tested with a COVID-19 viral test that is either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)
• Fully vaccinated guests may use a medically observed self-test (sometimes referred to as home test) that meets the following criteria:
  • The test must be a COVID-19 viral test (NAAT or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • The testing procedure must include a telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer of the test that provides real-time supervision remotely through an audio and video connection.
• Vaccinated Guests may signup for a COVID-19 test taken, at the terminal, on the day of voyage for a non-refundable $100 per person. Only available for voyages departing through March 31, 2022, and by appointment only.
• All unvaccinated guests will be assessed a US$150 per person charge on the guest’s onboard Sail & Sign account to cover the cost of testing, reporting and health and safety screenings.

Guests who are up to date with their vaccines may take their test within three days prior to sailing. Up to date means a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, including any booster dose(s), when eligible.

• If a guest is fully vaccinated but not up to date with their vaccines (i.e., is eligible for a booster but has not received one), they must take their pre-cruise COVID-19 test within two days prior to sailing.
• If a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, including any booster dose, when eligible, can take their COVID test within 3 days prior of sailing.
• If a guest is fully vaccinated and not yet eligible for a booster, the guest is also considered up to date and may take their pre-cruise COVID test as early as three days before the cruise.

What kind of proof of testing will Carnival accept?

• Acceptable proof of PCR/antigen COVID-19 testing includes laboratory test record, digital certificate and healthcare record
• The results must show first and last name, date of birth, type of test (NAAT or antigen), date and time the sample was taken, test result as either “NEGATIVE” or “NOT DETECTED,” laboratory/testing site or healthcare provider details

Do I need to send Carnival my test results in advance?

• No, test results are presented to the health screening staff at the terminal at time of check-in.

What are the Travel Insurance Requirements for Unvaccinated Guests? (Florida, Texas, South Carolina, & Virginia Based Departures)

• Unvaccinated guests sailing on a ship departing from these states must show proof of travel insurance coverage during check-in. This requirement is currently being waived for children under 12. However, parents are advised that purchasing travel insurance for their children is strongly recommended
• Policy requirements: a minimum of US$10,000, per person, in medical expense coverage and US$30,000 coverage for emergency medical evacuation and without COVID-19 exclusions
• The insurance policy must name the unvaccinated guest as the policy holder or beneficiary and may be purchased from a travel insurance company of the guest’s choosing or through Carnival Vacation Protection™, which includes the required coverage
• Vacation Protection is available for purchase until 14 days prior to sailing for guests residing in the U.S. (excluding New York and Puerto Rico), Canada (excluding Quebec), U.S. Virgin Islands (excluding St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix) and American Samoa (note: your booking must be paid in U.S. currency.) Should you wish to purchase Vacation Protection, please call your travel advisor for all options available
• Guests without the required proof of insurance will not be permitted to sail and no refund will be provided

Vaccine exemptions for sailings though 12/31/22

Vaccine exemptions are limited to a small number of guests (ages five and above) and are capacity-controlled based on the total number of vaccinated guests projected to be on board. Children under five are not required to apply for a vaccine exemption. However, they must still follow requirements for unvaccinated guests, including pre-cruise and embarkation day testing. Requests are not guaranteed and will be processed after the booking is paid in full, in sailing date order, and once Carnival has finalized the estimated vaccinated guest count.

Requirements to enter ports outside the U.S. continue to evolve and Carnival Cruise Line will approve exemptions in compliance with these regulations, as indicated below:

• Vaccine exemptions for cruises to the Caribbean will be limited to a very small number of children ages 5-11, and teens and adults with a medical condition preventing their vaccination. Sailings from Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina, Alabama, New York and Virginia will operate under these criteria with the assumption that current restrictions imposed by destinations will remain in place.
• Vaccine exemptions for ships departing from California (not calling on Canada) will be accommodated for children ages 5-11 and as required by U.S. federal law (in accommodation of medical reasons and sincerely held religious beliefs).
• Vaccine exemptions for sailings to Canada will be accommodated for children 5-11 and for medical reasons, in accordance with destination requirements.
• Vaccine exemptions for cruises to Bermuda, Europe, Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific will be accommodated for children ages 5-11 traveling with fully vaccinated parents/guardians, in accordance with destination government requirements.
• On Panama Canal cruises of 16 days or longer, vaccine exemptions will only be accommodated as required by U.S. law and destination requirements. (Unfortunately, vaccine exemptions are not granted for unvaccinated minors under 12.)
• Doctor’s Note — Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina and Alabama Based Ships
  • If you received a vaccination exemption for medical reasons, a letter from a medical provider stating the guest cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons must be presented at check-in.
  • Doctor’s Note — Sailings Calling on Canada: If you received a vaccine exemption due to medical reasons, a form completed by you and your medical provider stating you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons must be presented at check-in. You must keep the original with you during the cruise and submit a copy to Carnival at check-in. Unfortunately, due to Canadian requirements, you will be unable to sail if this form is not completely filled by your medical provider and presented at embarkation.
  • Cruises to Caribbean - No longer requires a Doctor's Note at embarkation to travel.

How do I apply for a vaccine exemption?

• To apply for vaccine exemptions you will need:
  • The guest’s birth certificate or passport (for children), or a letter from a medical provider stating that the individual cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, must be presented at check-in, along with the exemption approval letter from Carnival
• Unfortunately, all other vaccine exemptions previously granted for upcoming sailings cannot be fulfilled due to new limitations
• If you have already received an exemption approval for anyone in your party that does not meet the requirements of these two categories (under 12 or proven medical condition that prohibits vaccination), that exemption is no longer valid
• Once you have submitted your vaccine exemption, you will receive an email informing you of approval or denial. The amount of exemptions are capacity controlled.
• Children under 5 will be able to sail without a vaccine exemption. Protocols for unvaccinated guests, including testing, shore excursion and children’s camp requirements, still apply.
• The vaccine exemption process is currently open for sailings through December 31, 2022. We will notify you when this period is extended.

If you are an unvaccinated guest, your reservation is not considered confirmed unless you receive an approved exemption. Exemptions are typically approved starting 90 days prior to sailing, in the order in which they were received by Carnival . If Carnival Cruise Lines are unable to approve your request, you will have the option to cancel the unvaccinated guest(s) from a reservation, move to a future sailing date, or cancel with a full refund to the original form of payment. Unfortunately, Carnival cannot assist with expenses related to a denied exemption request, and guests assume all risks related to non-refundable travel costs, (i.e., air fare, hotel, etc.). Guests whose exemptions are approved will be required to review and agree to all the restrictions and protocols prior to boarding the ship.

The number of exemptions Carnival is able to grant is far fewer than the requests received. While the decision to vaccinate yourself or your children is obviously a personal one, if you want to guarantee your ability to sail together, it is encouraged that you consider your vaccination options.

Does Carnival accept a Documentation of Recovery?

Guests who have recovered from COVID-19 within 3 months of their sailing date do not need the required pre-cruise test if they are at least 10 days past their positive test result date, have no symptoms and produce document of recovery from COVID-19. A Document of Recovery is accepted from both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated guests (with a Carnival-approved exemption) and consists of a paper or electronic copy of the positive viral test result from a certified laboratory (dated no more than 90 days prior to the sailing date).

Which COVID-19 vaccines will be accepted?

Acceptable vaccines are those that are approved, or have an emergency use authorization or listing from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO). 

• Pfizer: 2 Doses
• Moderna: 2 Doses
• Johnson & Johnson: 1 Dose
• AstraZeneca: 2 Doses
• Sinopharm: 2 doses
• Sinovac: 2 Doses
• US ONLY: Novavax clinical trial participants who can confirm that they received the full 2-dose series of the active COVID-19 vaccine.
• EUROPE ONLY: COVID-19 immunity may be considered equivalent to "Fully Vaccinated" if guest received 1 dose of one these vaccines (Comirnaty (Pfizer), Spikevax (Moderna) or Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca)) 14 days or more ago after a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, with a Digital COVID Certificate of Vaccination.

Can I have mixed vaccines?

Guests will be considered fully vaccinated who have received their final dose of an authorized/approved COVID-19 vaccine, or any combination of two doses of an authorized/approved vaccine at least 14 days before the beginning of the cruise. Acceptable vaccines are those that have been approved/authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or have emergency-use listing by the World Health Organization (WHO).

• MIXED DOSES: Pfizer (1 Dose) + Moderna (1 Dose)
• MIXED DOSES: AstraZeneca (1 Dose) + Pfizer (1 Dose) OR Moderna (1 Dose)

What proof of Vaccine do I need to provide?

Vaccinated cruises are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to embarkation day and have proof of vaccination. You will also need to provide proof of vaccination at the terminal in advance of boarding, as follows:

• Guests must bring their original vaccination record issued by the country’s health authority that administered the vaccination (i.e., U.S. CDC's Vaccination Record Card). Copies or photos are not accepted.
• The name and birth date on the vaccination card must match the guest’s travel documents and show the guest is fully vaccinated. Vaccine type, dates administered, and lot numbers must be clearly visible.
• Vaccination dates must indicate the guest has completed the required doses no later than 14 days prior to the sailing date.
• Alternatively, guests may present a digital COVID-19 Certificate (QR code acceptable) and a record of COVID-19 vaccination from a healthcare provider (original digital email accepted), personal electronic health record or government Immunization Information System record.

Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine booster to be considered fully vaccinated?

COVID-19 vaccine boosters are strongly recommended for specific at risk groups by the FDA and US CDC.

• At this time, booster doses are not required to embark sailings in the U.S. Although, not required, Carnival highly recommends vaccinated guests take the COVID booster when available.
• Guests who have received the full series of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO) authorized COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of authorized vaccines and have received the last dose at least 14 days prior to the day of embarkation are considered fully vaccinated.
• Boosters are required on the following sailings:
  • Carnival Pride and Carnival Celebration Europe - All 2022 departures
  • Carnival Splendor 23-day Carnival Journey (Transpacific) – September 6, 2022

We do not collect vaccination cards or store proof of vaccination. Those cruise lines that have vaccine requirements to cruise will likely ask for proof at the time of boarding.

Please note that these guidelines are subject to change.

Are masks required onboard?

• Masks are recommended on board but not required. However, masks are required in the medical center, during the entire embarkation and debarkation process (at the home port and port of call), on any transportation, including water shuttles, and when indoors on any Carnival tour.
• Masks are also recommended in large congregate events outdoors where physical distancing cannot be maintained. When going ashore, guests must be prepared to follow all local guidance regarding masks and physical distancing. The status of local guidelines will be shared with guests prior to debarkation at the destination.
• As advised by health experts, guests are recommended to use higher-grade masks indoors (such as surgical or KN95) that have two or more layers, completely cover the nose and mouth, fit snugly against the sides of the face and have a nose wire.
• Guests are not required to maintain physical distance on board the ship.

Can I smoke in the Casino?

• Guests may smoke in the casino when seated and playing at a table or slot machine and must wear a facemask unless actively smoking or drinking. The casino bar is open but is a no-smoking area. Smoking is not permitted in the casino when closed.

Can I take a Shore Excursion if I am Unvaccinated?

• It will be necessary to follow the health protocols for every port we visit, which are under the control of local government and subject to change without prior notice. Carnival is working closely with local health authorities in all ports on your cruise itinerary.
• As the COVID-19 situation continues to improve, Carnival is now able to relax some of the shore excursion restrictions for unvaccinated guests. Effective immediately, unvaccinated guests are not restricted to “bubble” tours (as had been required) and may now purchase from many of our Carnival shore excursion offerings (some exclusions apply). Please note, however, that unvaccinated guests still can only debark if they have purchased a tour and cannot go ashore in the ports of call on their own.
• If the cruise visits a private port of call, such as Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays, unvaccinated guests may go ashore on their own or purchase a Carnival tour.
• As destination requirements continue to evolve, the Islands have informed us that unvaccinated guests may not be permitted to go ashore when visiting specific islands. Please check your destination to make sure all guests will be allowed to go ashore.
  • Destinations who have imposed restrictions for unvaccinated guests:
    • San Juan - age 12 and older will have to remain on board
    • Bonaire - age 12 and older will have to remain on board
    • Grand Cayman - age 12 and older will have to remain on board
    • St. Kitts - age 12 and older will have to remain on board
    • Tortola - age 12 and older will have to remain on board
    • Grand Turk - age 16 and older will have to remain on board
    • Cartagena, Colombia - age 18 and older will have to remain on board

These restrictions are under the control of local government and are subject to change without advance notice, so we encourage guests to come prepared for potential mask requirements ashore.

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