Princess Cruises Will Recommend, Not Require, Facemasks Starting in March

Princess Cruises said on Monday that is planning to keep the protocols from the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Conditional Sail Program through at least March 31. However, the line is making some changes to its onboard rules in the meantime.

One is that masks will be recommended, but not required, starting on March 1, though Princess says that there will be events and venues where masks will be required.

Princess will also continue to keep its vaccination requirement at least through the end of March.

The line also said that it will allow for “additional flexibility” for pre-cruise testing requirements. Those updates haven’t been rolled out just yet, but Princess says when the changes are made, they will be available on its Cruise Health section of its website.

“Going forward, Princess is prepared to adjust operating protocols to ensure our guests have amazing vacations while always protecting the safety of our guests, team members, and destinations,” Princess president John Padgett said.

“We appreciate the ongoing collaboration among multiple governments agencies as well as the support of Alaska officials and other delegations.”

Princess most recently rolled out its 2022 summer sailings, a season that will include its first-ever Mexico, Caribbean, and Hawaii combination of itineraries. The itineraries, sailing on Sapphire Princess, will include cruises ranging from 4 to 16-days, including a July 4, 5-day holiday sailing.