Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations?

This page was last updated on June 14, 2022.

COVID-19 policies for ocean and river cruise lines differ; bookmark this page to keep track of the following companies’ vaccination policies — it will be updated regularly as regulations change.

AmaWaterways

-  AmaWaterways requires guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to their river cruise.

- Travel entry requirements apply to accompanied minors. 

- The criteria for being “fully vaccinated” may vary from country to country; guests are responsible for ensuring they meet the entry requirements of each port country.

American Cruise Lines and Pearl Seas Cruises

- Corporate cousins American Cruise Lines and Pearl Seas Cruises both require guests to have “received the full regimen of doses required by the vaccine manufacturer and provide proof of vaccination.”

- Additionally, passengers must receive a rapid antigen COVID-19 test as part of the boarding process, either on the day of embarkation or at the pre-cruise hotel as applicable. 

- Where the brands differ, however, is on masking. While face coverings are optional on American Cruise Lines, they remain required on Pearl Seas Cruises in indoor public spaces unless seated and actively eating or drinking.

- Currently, Pearl Mist is the only passenger-carrying vessel designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as “Vaccination Standard of Excellence.”

American Queen Voyages

- American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines) were first to indicate that they would be requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for guests.

- COVID-19 vaccinations are required for both guests and crew.

- Guests must provide vaccination documentation prior to boarding.

- Face coverings are optional for guests and crew onboard, but masks are required for symptomatic guests and crew waiting for COVID-19 test results.

Atlas Ocean Voyages

- Atlas Ocean Voyages requires guests and crew to be fully vaccinated. 

- Fully vaccinated passengers must also provide a negative PCR test up to 72 hours prior to embarking or a negative antigen test up to 48 hours before boarding. Crew will also perform an additional COVID-19 antigen test on guests at embarkation. Antigen tests will also be conducted for all guests starting on day three of the voyage and at the end of the voyage ahead of disembarkation.

- Staff and crew must be fully vaccinated, must wear face masks onboard and must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of embarkation.

- Ships are operating at 75% capacity or less.

- According to the line, “the cruise brand continues to monitor the ever-changing international travel requirements and will adjust its health and safety protocols as appropriate."

Aurora Expeditions

- Aurora Expeditions updated its Health & Safety Program to include mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for guests and crew prior to sailing.

 - Booster shots will be required if more than five months have passed after the primary COVID-19 vaccination (and two months after a Johnson & Johnson vaccination).

- Vaccines must be World Health Organization (WHO)-approved and administered at least four weeks prior to sailing date.

Avalon Waterways

- Avalon Waterways will require its guests to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination as part of the health protocols stipulated by its parent company, Globus Family of Brands.

- Requirements may also include a booster shot if it keeps vaccination status current.

- Passengers, except for ineligible children, must complete their inoculations at least 14 days prior to embarkation. The requirement, which applies to all brands within the Globus Family of Brands, will be effective for travel through 2022.

Azamara

- Guests and crew traveling onboard Azamara must be vaccinated against COVID-19 with a WHO-approved vaccine no later than 14 days prior to departure. 

- Booster shots will also be required if guests are eligible for them.

- Crew members are fully vaccinated, boosted and frequently tested.

Carnival Cruise Line

- Carnival Cruise Line requires guests to show proof of a final dose of a CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before cruising. Some vaccine exemptions are allowed.

- Carnival recommends booster shots for those eligible.

- Other protocols currently include pre-cruise testing; mask wearing became optional as of March 1, 2022. There may be certain venues and events where face coverings are still required.

Celebrity Cruises

- All guests of Celebrity Cruises who who are 12 years and older must be vaccinated at least 14 days prior to sailing for all global itineraries.  

- Guests who are 2 years old and over must present a negative proctored/monitored COVID-19 test before boarding.

- Passengers must follow the protocols of each homeport country.

- Face masks are optional.

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Cunard Line

- Guests 16 years and older must be fully vaccinated and boosted (if the most recent shot was given more than 270 days prior) to sail with Cunard Line.

- Children above the age of 5 must be fully vaccinated; boosters are not required.

- All guests must also provide a negative COVID-19 test taken before traveling to the embarkation terminal. There is an additional complimentary test required at the embarkation terminal for children between the ages of 5 and 11 who are not fully vaccinated.

-  Masks are recommended but not required onboard, except in the theater, cinema and medical center, where they remain mandatory. 

Disney Cruise Line

- Disney Cruise Line - Disney Cruise Line guests ages 5 and over must be fully vaccinated.

- Guests who are not vaccine eligible due to age must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than three days before the sail date. (An additional test at the port is also required of unvaccinated guests.)

- Vaccinated passengers no longer need to test at the pier, but must test negative no more than two days prior to sailing.

- Physical distancing and face coverings are no longer required in most instances. Unvaccinated guests under 5 years old must still wear masks in youth activity spaces and at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

Hapag-Lloyd

- Cruisers must fill out a health questionnaire prior to cruising with Hapag-Lloyd.

- Guests must also provide proof of full vaccination (boosters included) for all cruises, and show that the basic immunization against COVID-19 was at least three months prior to embarkation.

- The line requires clients to present negative COVID-19 tests and follow country-specific regulations.

Holland America Line

- Holland America Line’s COVID-19 protocols include requiring guests ages 5 and older to be fully vaccinated, having received their final dose at least 14 days before embarking. (Guests who arrive at the terminal without proper proof of vaccination will not be able to cruise, and no refund will be issued.)

- Fully vaccinated guests must also produce a negative, medically proctored COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) within three days of sailing. Those who aren’t fully vaccinated (i.e., have not received a booster) must take the test within two days.

- Vaccination exemptions must be pre-approved.

- Mask-wearing became optional as of March 1, 2022. There may be certain venues and events where face coverings are required.

Lindblad Expeditions

- All passengers on Lindblad Expeditions will be required to be vaccinated prior to sailing (regardless of age). 

-  Guests 12 and older who completed their primary inoculation series more than five months prior to embarkation will need to show proof of a booster, as well. Boosters can be received any time before boarding.

- Face coverings are required onboard all ships.

- Passengers must also present two negative COVID-19 tests (one taken no less than 72 hours before the cruise; the other taken just prior to boarding).

MSC Cruises

- All guests ages 12 and older sailing with MSC Cruises on ships departing from U.S. ports must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

- Prior to boarding ships departing from U.S. ports, every passenger must submit a negative test at embarkation, including all children ages 2 and older. 

- Wearing masks and social distancing onboard ships that depart from U.S. ports is optional for fully vaccinated guests. For unvaccinated children, it is recommended but not required.

- Mask-wearing is optional in MSC terminals unless required by local regulations, which guests must follow at public ports of call.

- Before booking a cruise, guests must confirm they are allowed to embark, according to their country of residence.

Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises

- Per Norwegian Cruise Line’s SailSAFE Health and Safety Program — which also applies to passengers sailing on sister brands Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises — all guests ages 12 and over must be fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure. 

- Unvaccinated children under age 12 are allowed onboard, but guests are required to be aware of any local protocols and/or travel restrictions in place at the visiting destinations at the time of sailing.

- All passengers over 2 years old will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 antigen or NAAT test (i.e., PCR) result administered by a verified third party or via medically supervised home test within two days of embarkation for cruises departing from a U.S. port, and within three days of embarkation date for cruises departing from a non-U.S. port.

- Refer to further SailSAFE requirements for unvaccinated guests ages 2 through 11.

- For all sailings, guests are responsible for complying with all local health and safety requirements, which may include additional pre-embarkation COVID-19 testing. In these cases, Norwegian will provide free testing at terminals. - It is every passenger’s responsibility to check local travel regulations for booster and other requirements.

- Facial coverings are not required onboard, although the line recommends wearing one while outside one’s stateroom.

Princess Cruises

- Guests sailing with Princess Cruises must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before departure, and boosters are recommended for those eligible at least seven days prior.

- Negative PCR or antigen test results are required two to three days before embarkation from U.S. ports. For requirements for sailings from U.K., Europe and Australia ports, refer to Princess’ CruiseHealth FAQ. A limited number of antigen tests are available in-terminal by reservation via DocGo ($60-$100) for fully vaccinated guests departing from U.S. and Canadian ports.

- Children ages 2 to 4 who are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccines will require a medically observed negative viral PCR COVID-19 test within 3 days of boarding, plus an antigen test taken at the terminal (complimentary).

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

- Vaccine-exempt guests must show proof of a negative PCR test taken within three days of embarkation, and they will be required to take a COVID-19 test at the terminal on embarkation day, as well.

Ponant

- Ponant’s sailing requirements mandate that all passengers ages 16 and over must be fully vaccinated prior to sailing, and must show proof of a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours of boarding. A booster is recommended at least seven days prior to departure.

- Guests will also be asked to do a health check and screening before boarding.

- Facial coverings are recommended for all guests when outside their staterooms, but are no longer required. Social distancing will be enforced when possible. There may be mask requirements for shore excursions.

Paul Gauguin Cruises

- On Paul Gauguin Cruises sailings departing from Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Noumea and Auckland to French Polynesia, COVID-19 tests for vaccinated travelers are no longer required, although tests are still required for all travelers with a stopover or transit in the U.S.

- Boosters are required for all guests over 18 years old if their last dose is 9 months old or more.

Riviera River Cruises

- All passengers sailing with Riviera River Cruises are required to be fully vaccinated before embarkation (i.e., two doses, with the second dose a minimum of seven days prior to travel). Guests will confirm accordingly via a pre-travel questionnaire.

- A negative COVID-19 test may be required before sailing. More details will be provided by the cruise line before departure.

Royal Caribbean International

- Royal Caribbean International requires guests 12 and older to be fully vaccinated, with the final dose of the vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing. Booster shots are recommended, but not required. 

- Royal Caribbean does not require children ages 11 and under to be vaccinated, but notes that many destinations may require guests ages 5 and older to be vaccinated.

- COVID-19 testing requirements prior to sailing vary by port of departure and a passenger's age group. For cruises departing U.S. ports, vaccinated guests must show a negative PCR or antigen test result taken no more than two days before boarding. 

- Unvaccinated children ages 2 to 11 must show a negative PCR test result taken no more than three days before boarding. Children under 2 do not need to take a test before the cruise.

- For sailings departing the U.S., Puerto Rico, Barbados and Canada, facial coverings onboard are optional for vaccinated guests and recommended for unvaccinated children. In Royal Caribbean terminals, masks are optional unless required by local regulation, and masks are optional at the line’s private destinations.

- More information on Royal Caribbean’s COVID-19 protocols can be found on Healthy Sail Center.

Seabourn Cruise Line

- All guests ages 12 and older sailing with Seabourn Cruise Line must be fully vaccinated, having received the final dose at least 14 days before boarding. For guests 18 and over traveling to Europe, a single booster dose is also required if their last dose is 9 months old or more.

- Children under 5 do not need to be vaccinated, while children between 5 and 11 years old may be unvaccinated but will need to go through an exemption process and may be subject to additional testing, fees and protocols.

- Passengers are required to complete a health questionnaire 24 to 72 hours before embarkation, to understand entry requirements for each country the cruise visits, and to complete any Passenger Locator Forms and pre-travel registrations for those countries.

- For European cruises, all passengers ages 5 and older must show a negative PCR or antigen COVID-19 test taken within three days of embarkation. All guests ages 2 and older embarking from a U.S. port that does not include Canada in the itinerary must show a negative test taken within three days of sailing.

- Facial coverings onboard are optional.

Sea Cloud Cruises

- Proof of full vaccination, including a booster shot, is mandatory for all Sea Cloud Cruises sailings.

- Prior to boarding, guests sailing on any of Sea Cloud’s three ships must take a COVID-19 test (provided by the cruise line), and they must provide a completed health questionnaire on the day of embarkation.

- Masks and social distancing are recommended.

- Before embarkation, after every shore leave and daily onboard, contactless body temperatures will be taken.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises

- Sister brands Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises require full vaccination for guests, at least 14 days prior to departure. Full vaccination may include any booster dose(s) when a country requires it.

- Emerald river cruise guests must meet the entry requirements of each country in which they embark, but the line does not require additional PCR or RAT tests for boarding Europe Star-Ships. Emerald ocean cruise guests may be required to take an antigen test at embarkation (at no additional cost). Scenic guests embarking on Europe Space-Ships will not need to take additional PCR or RAT tests.

- All guests are required to comply with any government requirements to enter countries on their itinerary at the time of travel.

- Face masks may be required in public areas onboard certain ship types when physical distancing is not possible.

Silversea Cruises

- All guests onboard Silversea Cruises sailings must be fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to embarkation. Passengers will need to be current with their vaccine status, including any booster dose(s) when eligible, in accordance with each of the countries they plan to visit.

- Per the line’s testing requirements, fully vaccinated guests who have not received an additional dose or booster must provide a negative antigen or PCR test result taken no more than two days prior to boarding. Up-to-date vaccinated guests must show a negative antigen or PCR test result taken no more than three days prior to boarding.

- All guests will undergo daily touchless temperature checks, as well as a pre-embarkation health screening that includes an enhanced health questionnaire.

- Masks are mandatory inside the casino, the theater and shore excursion buses, and during muster drills.

- Social distancing among passengers is not required.

Tauck

- Guests ages 12 and older must be fully vaccinated to travel with Tauck. If more than 270 days have passed since a passenger’s initial vaccination series, they must have a booster shot, but no booster is required if they can show proof of having recovered from COVID-19 within 180 days of travel.

- For those under 12, vaccination is recommended but not required; these minors must present a negative PCR test within three days of departure.

- All guests must follow health and safety protocols, such as wearing a mask, when necessitated by local health guidance or Tauck supplier partners. 

UnCruise Adventures

- All UnCruise Adventures guests must be fully vaccinated, including at least one booster shot.

- COVID-19 testing prior to departure is requested but not required.

- Face masks are required on vessels and onshore when physical distancing cannot be achieved (more than 6 feet from a non-cabin mate for more than 15 minutes in a 24-hour period).

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

- All passengers traveling with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises must be fully vaccinated, with the final dose administered no less than two weeks prior to embarkation. Booster doses may be required at onshore venues, depending on destinations visited.

- Children who are vaccine-ineligible must provide a negative PCR or antigen test result taken within 72 hours of embarkation.

- Any testing required before embarkation is the responsibility of the guest. If a country requires tests mid-cruise, Uniworld will facilitate testing onboard and cover the expenses. Tests required onboard for re-entry to a guest’s home country will be at the expense of the guest, but Uniworld will help facilitate them.

- Masks are encouraged in onboard public areas and in motorcoaches when social distancing is not possible.

Viking

- Per its COVID-19 policies and procedures for international voyages, Viking requires all river, ocean and expedition guests to have received the required doses of COVID-19 vaccinations at least 14 days prior to the date of embarkation, including booster shots for those who are eligible. 

- Select sailings require a negative pre-embarkation PCR test result. Passengers are otherwise encouraged to take a PCR test before sailing, though not required (unless a destination requires it).

- Throughout a cruise, guests may be asked to periodically take PCR tests and temperature checks.

- Guests are asked to follow existing public health measures such as hand hygiene, mask-wearing and social distancing. Currently, masks are optional onboard, but may be required at certain times on the ship, based on conditions at the time of travel.

Virgin Voyages

- Passengers sailing with adults-only Virgin Voyages are required to be fully vaccinated (with the final dose administered no less than two weeks out from sailing), and there are no exemptions. Boosters are not required, but are encouraged. (Note: Some ports Virgin sails from may require booster doses.)

- For voyages beginning in Miami, guests will be asked to show a negative PCR or antigen test administered by a health professional and taken within 48 hours of boarding. Free testing will continue to be offered at the terminal, as well. For sailings embarking in the U.K. and Europe, passengers will be asked to bring their own negative PCR or antigen test that was administered within 72 hours of boarding. A limited number of tests will be offered at the terminal for a fee.

- Mask-wearing is optional onboard, and facial coverings will be provided upon request. They may be required during embarkation and disembarkation, in certain destinations and while on shuttle bus services. Guests are encouraged to adhere to social distancing recommendations.

Windstar Cruises

- Windstar Cruises requires guests to provide proof of an initial completed vaccine course, finished at least 14 days prior to the guest's embarkation date. Boosters are recommended but not required. For Europe and Tahiti sailings, a passenger’s last COVID-19 vaccination shot is now required (usually within the last 270 days). Guests must ensure they meet vaccine and booster requirements for all countries they will be visiting.

- There are no exceptions to the vaccination policy.

- Passengers must show a negative COVID-19 test prior to sailing, administered for free by Windstar. Guests are responsible for complying with COVID-19 test requirements imposed by any country visited during travel.

- In most circumstances, guests are not required to wear masks onboard Windstar’s yachts in most of Europe, Greece, the Caribbean, the U.S. and Canada. French Polynesia requires guests to wear masks.