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Royal Caribbean International | Travel Requirements & Safety Protocols

  • Updated

Great news! Royal Caribbean is back in the water! 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.

 

Quick checklist of what you need prior to boarding your cruise. More details can be found below:

  • Get Vaccinated: Required for all guests 12 and older.
  • 30 Days Before: Download the Royal Caribbean app and check in for your cruise. Review Mask and Shore Excursion requirements
  • 2 or 3 days before: Get your pre-cruise test
  • 1 Day Before: Complete online health questionnaire on the Royal App.

Travel Documents Checklist:

You’ll need to have the following documents when you arrive to board the ship.

  • Identification Documentation:
    • A Passport Book/Card or State-certified U.S. Birth Certificate & Government Picture ID
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card
  • COVID-19 Test Result taken 2 or 3 days before travel:
    • Vaccinated guests age 12 and older must show a negative COVID-19 test result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days before boarding.
    • Unvaccinated kids age 2 to 11 must show a negative test result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 3 days before boarding. Read Detailed Testing info below.
  • Health Questionnaire to be completed on our Royal Caribbean App the day before you board.

 

Vaccine Requirements to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise on All U.S. Departures.

Royal Caribbean guests age 12 and older must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing. All crew onboard the ship and at our private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, are fully vaccinated.

 

What Vaccines are Accepted?

Royal Caribbean accepts vaccines that are fully approved or authorized for emergency use by the U.S. FDA or the World Health Organization. A guest is considered fully vaccinated after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered at least 28 days apart and at least 14 days before sailing.

  • Pfizer: 2 Doses
  • Moderna: 2 Doses
  • Johnson & Johnson: 1 Dose
  • AstraZeneca: 2 Doses
  • Sinopharm: 2 doses
  • Sinovac: 2 Doses
  • U.S. Based AstraZeneca and Novavax clinical trial participants are considered fully vaccinated.
    • US participants in COVID-19 vaccine trials can be considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after they complete the vaccine series, if it has been confirmed that they received “active” vaccine, and not placebo.

 

Can I have mixed vaccines?

Some guests may have been vaccinated with doses from two different vaccine manufacturers. Whether these are accepted depends on where you are sailing from and the mix of manufacturers. In addition, mixed vaccines may not be accepted at all ports of call.

  • Mixed Doses of mRNA Vaccines:
    • Mixed Doses: Pfizer (1 Dose) + Moderna (1 Dose) in any order
    • Mixed Doses: AstraZeneca (1 Dose) + Pfizer (1 Dose) OR Moderna (1 Dose)
  • Mixed mRNA with AstraZeneca Vaccine
    • Guests whose two-shot regimen consists only of 1 mRNA dose with 1 AstraZeneca dose will not be considered vaccinated. We continue to encourage the CDC and other U.S. government officials to re-evaluate this policy.

As a reminder:

  • Guests who received the Janssen (aka Johnson & Johnson) vaccine before or after another COVID-19 vaccine should be considered to have received a valid, single-dose Janssen vaccination—not a mixed vaccination series—and are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • The doses must be administered a minimum of 28 days apart. The guest will be considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the final dose. 
  • Some ports of call may not accept mixed vaccines and, therefore, could prevent guests with mixed vaccines from going ashore.
  • Vaccine policies are subject to change with evolving public health guidance and government regulations.

Booster Shots

Guests who have received 3 or more doses of vaccine, due to booster regimens, will be considered fully vaccinated if at least one of these conditions is satisfied:

  • At least 2 of the doses are mRNA vaccines administered at least 28 days apart. The final dose must be completed at least 14 days before sailing.
  • At least 2 of the doses are AstraZeneca administered at least 28 days apart. The final dose must be completed at least 14 days before sailing.
  • At least 1 dose is Johnson & Johnson, completed at least 14 days before sailing.

Vaccine Accommodation Due to Recent Recovery from COVID-19

  • For U.S. departures, Royal Caribbean does not grant vaccine accommodation for reasons related to recent recovery from COVID-19.

 

What proof of Vaccine documents do I need to provide?

In order to present proof of vaccination for our cruises, the guest must show eligible documentation on boarding day at the terminal in the form of the vaccination record issued by either (1) the country’s health authority that administered the vaccination (e.g., U.S. CDC's Vaccination Record Card) (2) electronic vaccination records where country policy requires the use of electronic documentation via app or health agency site (e.g. UK NHS App, NHS Certificate, Israel Green Pass, EU Digital COVID Certificate), or (3) a letter from the guest's medical provider that administered the vaccination, which meets the following criteria:

  • The Proof of Vaccination must include the name of the vaccinated person matching the registered cruise guest with date of birth (DoB), the dates of the completed vaccination cycle, the administering physical or medical services provider, and the manufacturer of the vaccine issued.
  • The full vaccination cycle must be completed at least 14 days before your sail date (e.g., received the second dose in a two-dose series such as Pfizer or Moderna or a single dose of J&J).
  • The vaccine is recognized and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) and/or the World Health Organization (WHO).

NOTE: Royal Caribbean will accept a laminated original vaccine card from your country’s health authority as acceptable proof of vaccination, providing it meets all the aforementioned criteria.

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.

 

Required Testing for All Guests Sailing From U.S. Homeports

All Guests: Required Pre-Cruise Testing: Before boarding day, you’ll need to take a COVID-19 test on your own, at your own expense.

  • Vaccinated guests age 12 and older must show a negative COVID-19 test result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days before boarding day.
  • Unvaccinated kids age 2 to 11 must show a negative test result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 3 days before boarding day.
  • Kids’ pre-cruise test cannot be taken on boarding day, because that may affect the sample taken during the kids’ test at the terminal.
  • No testing required for guests under age 2.

Kids Age 2-11: Additional Complimentary Testing

  • In addition to the pre-cruise test, kids will take one or two more tests, depending on the length of the cruise. Royal Caribbean’s test provider will administer these, at no cost to our guests.
  • On boarding day, kids will take a complimentary rapid PCR test during check-in at the terminal. We’ll send registration details via email before departure.
  • For cruises that are 5 nights or longer, kids will take a complimentary antigen test onboard before the cruise ends. Vaccinated guests who require a COVID-19 test for re-entry into their country may receive one onboard as well. Guests will be notified onboard about how to register for this test.

Guests Under the Age of 2

  • Guests under the age of 2 have no testing requirements.

New! Telehealth At-Home Test Kits for Vaccinated Guests Only! IMPORTANT: Supervised telehealth home tests are NOT accepted for any unvaccinated guest, per CDC guidance.

  • Royal Caribbean is working on a new telehealth testing solution to assist fully vaccinated guests in fulfilling pre-cruise testing requirements.
  • Starting Wednesday, Royal Caribbean will launch a site that allows guests to purchase at-home test kits in packs of 2 or 3.
    • The kit includes live video supervision through eMed Telehealth.
    • When the guest is ready to test (during the required pre-cruise window), they simply sign on to eMed for a virtual visit with their Certified Guide. After taking the test, the guest will have results reported in 15 mins. The test kits ship to all U.S. states and Puerto Rico in two business days or less (Will advise as developments occur for shipment capabilities to Canada).
  • As per the latest CDC guidance, only fully vaccinated guests are approved for medically supervised telehealth testing to meet pre-cruise requirements, and that includes this new option.
  • Royal Caribbean recommends purchasing 2 tests per person just in case you lose or contaminate a part of the test, or have an error during the testing process.

Please note that these guidelines are subject to change.

 

Do I need to wear a mask?

Below is our current mask guidance for all guests, except those under the age of 2 years, who do not need to wear a mask at any time.

Masks are NOT required to be worn:

  • In open-air areas of the ship, unless you are in a crowded setting
  • In the pool or any activity where they may become wet
  • At venues designated for vaccinated guests only, such as select bars, lounges, restaurants and shows
  • In your client's stateroom when they are with their traveling party
  • While visiting our private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, unless you are in a crowded setting.
  • By any guest under the age of 2.

Masks ARE required to be worn:

  • While indoors in public areas of the ship, unless seated and actively eating or drinking
  • While visiting public ports of call, where local regulations may require them

Things to know:

  • Your mask should be at least two layers of tight weave fabric with loops that fit over your ears in accordance with health guidelines.
  • The mask should fit your face closely and cover your nose and mouth but allow you to breathe easily.
  • Note that neck gaiters, open chin bandanas and scarves, and face masks with valves do not meet health authority guidelines and will not be permitted.

Dining & Entertainment

All dining areas will feature spaced, sanitized seating. Nearly all restaurants and cafes will be available to all guests, though a select few specialty restaurants may be reserved for vaccinated guests only.

  • In the Main Dining Room, which spans multiple decks, we will designate areas for parents and kids, and areas for vaccinated parties only.
  • My Time Dining will not be available to parties that include unvaccinated guests.
  • If you prefer a buffet, Windjammer will be open to everyone for breakfast and lunch, and the food will be served by our crew.
  • We recommend that you make dining reservations via Cruise Planner before your cruise or using the Royal Caribbean app onboard.

Entertainment

  • Theaters and activity venues will offer spaced seating and more showtimes.
  • Some activities, showtimes, or seating areas will be reserved for vaccinated guests only.
  • Be sure to make show reservations once onboard using the Royal Caribbean app.

 

Can I get off the ship at port?

Royal Caribbean has worked with local tour operators to ensure they follow our Healthy Sail Panel health guidance for all Shore Excursions. These tours are available at a variety of price points and may be purchased in advance on Cruise Planner or once onboard using the Royal Caribbean App.

  • No Tours Required for Vaccinated Guests: Fully vaccinated parties may book a shore excursion or visit the port freely.
  • Tours for Families: Families traveling with unvaccinated kids must purchase a local tour through Royal Caribbean if they wish to go ashore. This applies to all ports of call except Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Port Canaveral, Florida. Vaccinated parents wishing to go ashore freely can visit our youth facilities onboard to learn about drop off program hours and availability, and reserve time for their child on the day they wish to go in port.
  • Tours Recommended in Port Canaveral, Florida: For ships that stop at Port Canaveral, we strongly recommend that families traveling with unvaccinated kids purchase a local tour through Royal Caribbean if they wish to go ashore. Additionally, we recommend the use of face masks when going ashore.
  • No Tours Required at Perfect Day: Tours or planned activities are not required of any guest who wishes to go ashore at Perfect Day at CocoCay, our private destination.

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.

 

Health & Safety on the Ship

As we return to sea, your health and safety remains our top priority. We’ve partnered with expert medical and scientific minds to guide us in the development of comprehensive protocols to protect you and the ones you love. And we're working with local health authorities in our homeport countries to ensure our guests meet current inbound travel requirements. We’re continually evaluating these protocols and will make updates as public health standards evolve.

Buffets will be open to everyone for breakfast and lunch, and the food will be served by our crew. My Time Dining will not be available to parties that include unvaccinated guests.

Things to know:

  • In the event a guest or crew member tests positive while we’re sailing, Royal Caribbean has partnered with local authorities to develop transport protocols to get you home safely.
  • The Main Dining Room, which spans two decks, will have one deck for everyone, which includes parties with both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests, such as parents and unvaccinated children. The other deck will be for vaccinated parties.

Vaccine Requirements to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise on Non U.S. Departures.

BARCELONA: On Harmony of the Seas

Vaccination Requirement

  • All Royal Caribbean guests age 18 and older must present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing.
  • Guests younger than 18 don’t need to be vaccinated— but if they are, they should bring their proof of vaccination to board and they can follow the testing guidance for fully vaccinated guests.
  • For transatlantic cruises from Barcelona, all guests must present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing.
    • Guests without proof of vaccination will not be permitted to sail.
  • All guests sailing on back to back cruises must be fully vaccinated.
    • Unvaccinated guests including children will not be permitted to sail on a back to back cruise.
  • All crew onboard Harmony of the Seas will be fully vaccinated.

What Proof of Vaccination do I need?

All guests ages 18 years and older, must present proof of vaccination as well as all required travel documents upon arrival at the ship.

  • Acceptable proof of vaccination must be in the form of the original vaccination record document issued by the country’s health authority or healthcare provider that administered the vaccination.
  • The vaccination record submitted must show that the guest is fully vaccinated.
  • This means that the guest has completed the full cycle of required doses for the vaccine administered (e.g., received the second dose in a two-dose series) and that the guest has received the final dose at least 14 days before arriving at their cruise departure terminal in Barcelona.
  • Guests living in the EU are advised to present their EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate.

 

 

Check here for the most up to date information on each Cruise Destination, including vaccination requirements, mask mandates, shore excursions, and insurance requirements. 

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