Carnival Cruise Line Ditching Several COVID-Related Restrictions 

Carnival Cruise Line Ditching Several COVID-Related Restrictions 

Carnival Cruise Line has just joined a growing number of companies dropping a number of its Covid-19 protocols.

Many cruise lines have already stated that they will no longer force passengers to undergo pre-cruise testing unless required by local laws. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Virgin Voyages are some of the cruise lines that have changed their health and safety procedures.

Beginning Aug. 4, Carnival will no longer require vaccinated passengers booking a cruise with an itinerary of five nights or less to be tested before the cruise. The cruise line also said that pre-cruise testing can be done three days prior to departure for itineraries of six nights or more.

Unvaccinated passengers will not be tested on the day of departure. However, all those passengers who are two years of age and older must provide proof of a negative antigen test COVID performed in a laboratory or under supervision within three days prior to embarkation.

“We remain, as always, committed to the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we serve,” a Carnival spokesperson said. “These changes will be made in phases, with the first of these updates effective on August 4 and focused on short cruise itineraries of five nights or less.”

More adjustments will be announced in the coming weeks, all of which will depend on the requirements of the locations on the schedule.

On July 18, the COVID -19 cruise ship program was formally discontinued by the CDC. Although cruise lines couldn’t precisely refuse to participate in the program, this “voluntary” program superseded the previous CDC order issued in February.

Just days after the COVID-19 program for cruise ships was discontinued, the CDC released a new set of recommendations for the cruise sector. The government agency still strongly advises pre-embarkation coronavirus testing within one day of embarkation, although much of the new recommendations are optional.