Princess Cruises | Travel Requirements & Safety Protocols

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Great news! Princess Cruise line is continuously updating their protocols to allow more guests to travel! 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. The termination of the COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships Operating in U.S. Watersis welcome news for Princess and other cruise lines operating in the U.S. and we applaud the CDC’s decision as it places cruising on par with other travel, hospitality and entertainment industry operators. At this time, Princess will review these updated guidelines but please note there are no immediate changes to the operations at this time.

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Need to know Information

Pre-cruise boarding checklist:

• Negative viral COVID-19 test taken within 2 days of departure
• Complete online health questionnaire 72 hours prior to sailing
• Vaccine card if vaccinated
• Masks will be recommended, but not required in the vast majority of venues
• Shore excursion requirements
• Passport Book or Passport Card, valid for at least six months after your cruise, is recommended.
  • No passport? Bring a state-certified U.S. Birth Certificate + a valid Driver's License or picture ID issued by the government for age 16 and older.
  • If the name doesn't match, bridging documents are required, like a Marriage Certificate.

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Princess Cruise Line Health & Safety FAQs

Will I need to have a pre-travel viral COVID-19 test performed prior to boarding the ship?

All Guests prior to boarding produce a negative, medically-observed viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within 2 or 3 days of their embarkation on all Princess sailings.

• Fully Vaccinated: must take an Antigen test within 2 days or PCR test within 72 hours of boarding.
• Not Vaccinated: must take a PCR within 72 hours PLUS Antigen at terminal
• Guests will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test along with proof of full vaccination upon arrival in the terminal and can then proceed on board.
• For select longer cruises, including voyages 15 days and longer, Panama Canal Full Transit, Hawaii and Transatlantic voyages, in addition to the pre-cruise test, vaccinated guests may also have an antigen COVID-19 test administered at the terminal at embarkation as a precaution. The test will be provided on a complimentary basis and doesn’t need to be scheduled in advance.
• Guests who travel internationally should always ensure they understand all entry and airline requirements to travel from their home country and the destinations they plan to visit, including where health authorities may require pre-travel COVID-19 testing.
• Alaska Voyages: 
  • Southbound (land first) Cruisetours: Guests 2 years of age and older must now produce a medically observed negative viral COVID-19 test result at the start of their pre-cruise land tour.
    • The test must be medically observed and can be an antigen test taken within two days of the start of your tour or a PCR test taken within three days of the start of your tour. At-home medically observed antigen tests such as from Optum are allowed.
    • A COVID-19 test prior to embarkation of the cruise portion of the cruisetour will be provided on a complimentary basis.
    • For guests who end their cruise in Vancouver and are flying back into the U.S., please review requirements for returning to the U.S. via air.
    • Guests who purchase our motorcoach transportation Vancouver to Seattle are not required to have a negative test to reenter the U.S.
  • Northbound (cruise first) cruisetours: Guests will be required to meet the standard cruise only pre-cruise COVID-19 testing requirements prior to cruise embarkation

Where can I get a COVID-19 test near me?

• Guests may take their COVID-19 test at any participating drug store (Walgreens, CVC, etc).
• Schedule an appointment with your medical professional.
• Fully vaccinated guests can order at home test with live video supervision (partnered with Princess)
  • Optum - two tests is $69.99 - The at-home tests include a personal virtually video-supervised visit with an eMed Certified Guide through telehealth services.
  • Radeas - $45 each - at-home antigen test kit which includes a telemedicine consultation.
  • Testing at the Terminal: If guests have difficulties finding testing prior in order  There will be a limited number of tests at the terminal for $100 per person in Ft Lauderdale and San Diego.

If a negative COVID-19 test is required for re-entry into your home country, Princess will cover the costs to administer a COVID-19 test. COVID-19 tests will be administered just outside the terminal, near bus parking. It is a guests responsibility to know their home country’s health authority and visit travel websites to understand the latest guidance on required testing and timing for return travel.

What are the COVID-19 vaccination requirements to cruise?

Princess Cruises continues to operate highly vaccinated cruises that meet the U.S. CDC requirement for sailing with at least 90% of guests fully vaccinated, excluding children under five years of age (who are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccines). 

• Fully Vaccinated: Received primary series of COVID-19 vaccines with final dose at least 14 days before embarkation.
• Up to Date: Received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible at least 7 days before embarkation.
• Not Vaccinated: Not fully vaccinated are welcome to cruise with a pre-approved vaccination exemption. Please request a vaccination exemption to be presented upon embarkation. If cruise includes a Canadian port, an additional medical exemption is needed.

For cruises departing from the U.S.: These cruises are available for guests who have received their final dose of an authorized/approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination, in accordance with CDC guidelines. 

For Voyages that Include Canada: Cruises that begin, end, or visit Canada will require sailing guests who are not Canadian citizens, and ages 12 and above, be fully vaccinated, unless they are granted a medical exemption. 

In addition, where local regulations allow, Princess is managing an exemption process that supports religious, medical and other guest considerations, but children under five may be booked without an exemption.

Which COVID-19 vaccines will be accepted on board?

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
• Covaxin: 2 Doses
• Novavax: 2 Doses

Can I have mixed vaccines?

In a two-dose series, we accept mixed vaccine types only if at least 2 doses of an authorized vaccine were administered at least 28 days part, with the last dose given at least 14 days before sailing. See Which COVID-19 vaccines will be accepted on board? for a list of currently approved or authorized vaccines.

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

COVID-19 vaccine boosters are strongly recommended by the US CDC for everyone eligible at least 7 days before embarkation.

Boosters may be required by certain health authorities on the itinerary or required on specific voyages. New vaccination entry requirements can change without notice, so we recommend you keep your vaccination status up to date and ensure you are familiar with the requirements for the destinations you plan to visit.

How will you check that I am fully vaccinated?

It is our guests’ responsibility to comply with our current Princess vaccination policy.

• Prior to the cruise departure, using the MedallionClass app, guests will be required to attest that they will be fully vaccinated at time of embarkation. This means completing all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine series at least 14 days before embarkation.
• Guests should be ready to show original proof of vaccination at cruise check-in.
  • The original proof of vaccination should clearly show the guest’s name on the vaccination card matching their photo ID, the dates of vaccine doses (final dose must have been received at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise), and the name of facility administering the vaccination.
  • Alternative proof may be required if there are questions and concerns about the submitted proof of vaccination.
• Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding. Information provided will be subject to our privacy notice on princess.com, and shared only as needed with Princess personnel, third parties or local health authorities as part of screening and embarkation-related health protocols.

Do any vaccination exemptions apply for guests recently recovered from COVID-19?

Guests sailing are required to be fully vaccinated. Documentation of recovery from COVID-19 or blood antibody tests are not accepted in place of a primary vaccination series. Please note that Canada is supporting a process for medical exemptions to vaccination with proper documentation for voyages that include Canada for non-Canadian citizens.

For 2022 Alaska cruisetours and Alaska and non-Alaska cruises starting or ending in Vancouver, Canada:

Vaccination: Please note that Canada is supporting a process for medical exemptions to vaccination with proper documentation for voyages that include Canada for non-Canadian citizens. Cruises beginning or ending in Canada will require all sailing guests 12 and over to be vaccinated, unless they are granted a medical exemption. 

Testing: Guests ages five and above will require a medically observed negative viral COVID-19 test result taken before boarding.

• Within 1 day for Antigen
• Within 3 days for PCR
• Children aged two to four will require a viral PCR COVID-19 test within 3 days before boarding, plus a complimentary antigen test taken at the terminal.

Cruise tours: Will not require testing prior to the land portion.

• For cruise tours beginning with the land tour, we’ll facilitate testing prior to guests’ cruise embarkation.
• There is no requirement for disembarkation testing for fully vaccinated guests.

Pre-Boarding Requirements: Within 72 hours of embarkation, the Canadian government requires guests to sign into ArriveCAN from a computer or download the mobile app to provide docs and travel info. Guests will need to bring a copy (digital or printed) of their receipt when they travel.

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.

Will I have to wear a face mask or physically distance onboard the ship?

Masks are recommended, but not required, in the majority of venues, though they may be required in select venues or situations.

Alaska Voyages- In an abundance of caution masks are required at all indoor locations on northbound and southbound Alaska voyages between Whittier and Vancouver until further notice. 

General Mask Guidance:

• Masks will be provided to guests if needed.
• This will be clearly designated through signage and onboard communications.
• Additionally, when going ashore, guests should 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.

Will I be able to explore freely at the port?

The ability for fully vaccinated guests to go ashore in ports of call is controlled by the governments of the ports we visit, based on their specific COVID-19 protocols and requirements. These are subject to change.

• All ports allow fully vaccinated guests to go ashore with Princess shore excursions.
• Some ports may also allow tours sold by port-authorized third-party operators or independent tours and exploration. Please be aware that in select ports you may be required to take a shore excursion provided by Princess to go ashore.
• Unvaccinated guests will only be allowed to go ashore as permitted by local government and through shore excursions sold by or through Princess using tour operators who comply with our COVID-19 controls. Self-exploration or participation in shore excursions not sold through or operated by Princess will not be permitted.

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.

Will I still be able to enjoy the buffet?

Yes, only now we will also have our teammates will serving you at some stations. Tables will be cleaned and sanitized upon each table use.

Can I smoke in the Casino?

There is no smoking in the Casino at all times. Guests must wear a facemask and "sip and cover" when drinking their beverage, Smoking is not allowed anywhere on board during refueling.

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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