Updated Cruise Line COVID-19 Vaccination, Booster, & Testing Requirements
by Dori Saltzman
COVID-19 protocols and requirements on cruise ships continue to change on a regular basis.
In response to changing policies around the world, including the CDC ending its cruise ship monitoring program, most cruise lines have changed or removed their COVID-19 policies.
To help travel advisors keep track of what is and is not required, we’ve compiled a list of up-to-date COVID-19 policies for ocean and river cruise lines. At this point in time (August 28, 2023), only two companies — Viking and Tauck — have COVID-19 policies still in place, however, all cruise lines reserve the right to reinstate policies if needed. Advisors and their clients should check the individual requirements for each country on a cruise itinerary as some countries have separate protocols, not listed below.
AmaWaterways
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required. All guests are responsible for ensuring they meet the travel entry requirements for each country they plan to visit before, during or after their river cruise.
Testing: Not required. All guests are responsible for ensuring they meet the travel entry requirements for each country they plan to visit before, during or after their river cruise.
American Cruise Lines
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
American Queen Voyages
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Avalon Waterways
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required, unless by destination.
Testing: Not required, unless by destination.
Azamara
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Carnival Cruise Line
Vaccinations: Not required except for the transpacific September 14, 2023 sailing of Carnival Luminosa.
Boosters: Not required, except for the transpacific September 14, 2023 sailing of Carnival Luminosa (for all guests aged 2 and older).
Testing: Not required.
Celebrity Cruises
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required, unless required by destination visited.
Celestyal Cruises
Vaccinations: Proof of vaccination not required.
Boosters: Proof of vaccination not required.
Testing: Not required.
Cunard Line
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Disney Cruise Line
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Emerald Cruises
Vaccination: Not required.
Booster: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Holland America Line
Vaccinations: Not required.
Booster: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Lindblad Expeditions
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Pre-cruise testing is no longer required to board, unless required by destination(s) visited.
Margaritaville at Sea
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
MSC Cruises
Vaccinations: Not required for most cruises.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Oceania Cruises
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Princess Cruises
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not requiree.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Royal Caribbean International
Vaccinations: Not required.
Booster: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Scenic
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Seabourn
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Silversea
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Tauck
Vaccinations: Required for all guests ages 12 and older through the end of 2023.
Boosters: Through the end of 2023, at least one booster dose or proof of recovery from COVID-19 is required.
Testing: Generally not required. Unvaccinated children under 12 must present a negative result from either a PCR or antigen test taken within three days of embarkation. (If a child age 11 or under is vaccinated but not boosted, they must also present a negative test prior to their trip.)
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Viking Cruises
Vaccinations: Required for all guests through October 31, 2023.
Boosters: May be required by come countries visited during a cruise.
Testing: Not required.
Virgin Voyages
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
Windstar Cruises
Vaccinations: Not required.
Boosters: Not required.
Testing: Not required.
