Royal Caribbean outlines revised testing rules for most U.S. sailings

Clarifying information that was previously shared in a conference call last month, Royal Caribbean International has posted an official update to its testing requirements for most U.S.-based itineraries.

“We are currently developing updated protocols that provide for the continued safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit, better align with the travel and hospitality sector, and meet destination regulations,” the cruise line wrote on its website. “This means we’re transitioning to the point where everyone will be able to vacation with us.”

Starting with Aug. 8, 2022 departures, fully vaccinated guests will only have to show a test result at boarding if the sailing is six nights or longer.

Unvaccinated children will still need to show a test result to board all sailings, regardless of length. However, they will not need to test again at the terminal, Royal Caribbean says.

Guests will now have the same test standard, regardless of vaccination status: they can show a negative test result from a supervised PCR or antigen test taken within the 3 days before your boarding day. Learn more here.

The revision does not apply to guests whose itinerary visits Canada or Bermuda, the cruise line notes.

“They will still need to follow our current testing protocols until further notice.”

Current testing protocols will remain in place through August 7, 2022 for all U.S. departures, Royal Caribbean says, adding that it will provide more updates in the coming days.  

The update follows similar actions taken by Azamara, Virgin Voyages, Margaretville at Sea, Celebrity and Carnival, which have all ended pre-embarkation COVID-19 testing following the CDC's ending of its Cruise Ship COVID-19 program.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.