Royal Caribbean cruises require all guests to ensure they are medically and physically fit for travel. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines on which vaccinations are required. Many ports of call in the Caribbean require vaccinations, such as Hepatitis A, Tetanus, and a yellow fever certification if you have visited areas with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Guests aged 12 and older must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose administered at least 14 days. Hepatitis B and Tetanus are the two main vaccines for Caribbean cruises, while neither is essential. Royal Caribbean has updated its health protocols for cruises sailing through April 14, 2022, to match the cruise lines’ decision to opt into the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. No vaccine or precruise testing is required on most Royal Caribbean itineraries, with a few exceptions: Cruises from Australia, transpacific, and other cruise lines.
The main injections for a Caribbean cruise include Hepatitis B and Tetanus, though these are advisory rather than required. Possible vaccinations may include rabies, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, typhoid, tetanus, and, in some cases, the yellow fever vaccination. The CDC recommends hepatitis A for most travelers, while the typhoid vaccine is also recommended in the Caribbean for most travelers.
To board a Royal Caribbean cruise, everyone will need to present an accepted form of identification. Travel documents required include an accepted form of identification, and proof of yellow fever may be required, such as from St Lucia to St Maarten.
📹 6 Things You Need To Know About Cruising And Vaccines
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What vaccines do you need for the Caribbean cruise?
What Vaccines Do I Need for the Caribbean and Northern America? The NaTHNaC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for travellers to the Caribbean and Northern America: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever and rabies.
The Caribbean and Northern America offer a wide variety of experiences for all kinds of travellers. From the snows of Greenland to the seasides of Jamaica, there is something for everyone.
On This Page:What Vaccines Do I Need for the Caribbean and Northern America?Are There Other Health Concerns in the Caribbean and Northern America?What Are the Entry Requirements in the Caribbean and Northern America?Travelling to Another Destination?
Passport Health offers all the vaccinations and medications you may need to travel safely throughout the region. See our What Vaccines… section to learn more.
Do you need to be vaccinated to go on a cruise to the Caribbean?
COVID-19 Vaccination is no longer required to sail, though we recommend guests be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While vaccination is not required, we kindly ask that you disclose your status during check-in.
All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. In many cases inoculations are recommended, but in some circumstances, they are required by the country from which your cruise departs or countries we visit. We recommend that you check with your health care professional for guidance or visit smartraveller.gov.au/.
Can you go on a cruise without being vaccinated?
Do You Need To Be Vaccinated To Go on a Cruise? Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless they’re traveling from or to a destination that requires it. Still, there are exceptions. Some cruise lines encourage vaccination even though they don’t require it.
A cruise can be a fun way to visit certain areas of the world at a slower pace. Before embarking on a cruise, it’s important to know what the cruise vaccine requirements are, which can vary by cruise line.
Sometimes, you can board a cruise ship without being vaccinated for illnesses like COVID. However, specific policies vary, and sometimes people who are unvaccinated have extra requirements.Here’s what you need to know about vaccinations and going on a cruise.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends having up-to-date routine vaccines—which can vary by age, health, and history of vaccinations—before cruising. Those routine vaccines might be for conditions or germs such as:
Can I go on a cruise unvaccinated?
Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless they’re traveling from or to a destination that requires it.Still, there are exceptions. Some cruise lines encourage vaccination even though they don’t require it. Some may also require pre-board testing for unvaccinated people.
4 Cruises That Require Vaccines. The following cruise lines require vaccines for travel based on certain factors:
- Costa Cruises: You should get vaccines as required by the destination(s) you intend to visit, though COVID vaccines are unnecessary.
- Holland America Line: Influenza vaccination is recommended, while other required vaccinations will vary based on the destination.
- MSC Cruises: You must be vaccinated according to what’s necessary or appropriate for visiting your destination.
- Virgin Voyages: COVID vaccines are not required when sailing on the Valiant Lady and Scarlet Lady ships. However, yellow fever vaccination may be necessary for travel to Australia from a country at risk for the illness.
Do you have to have shots to go on a cruise?
Do You Need To Be Vaccinated To Go on a Cruise? Most major cruise lines do not require guests to be vaccinated unless they’re traveling from or to a destination that requires it. Still, there are exceptions. Some cruise lines encourage vaccination even though they don’t require it.
A cruise can be a fun way to visit certain areas of the world at a slower pace. Before embarking on a cruise, it’s important to know what the cruise vaccine requirements are, which can vary by cruise line.
Sometimes, you can board a cruise ship without being vaccinated for illnesses like COVID. However, specific policies vary, and sometimes people who are unvaccinated have extra requirements.Here’s what you need to know about vaccinations and going on a cruise.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends having up-to-date routine vaccines—which can vary by age, health, and history of vaccinations—before cruising. Those routine vaccines might be for conditions or germs such as:
Which countries require proof of vaccination?
Do any countries still require travelers to show proof of COVID vaccination?. As of mid-2023, virtually all countries—including the United States—have stopped requiring travelers to be vaccinated. However, some destinations still have mandatory COVID testing for travelers who aren’t vaccinated, so having that vax card in your pocket can make your trip easier. Examples include the Philippines, Bolivia, and Cameroon, all of which require unvaccinated travelers to have proof of a negative test before entering the country.
What about other travel vaccination requirements?. The CDC Travelers’ Health site is your best resource for learning about specific health concerns and recommended/required vaccinations for each country. Enter your destination in the drop-down menu to see a list of the vaccines the CDC recommends, such as hepatitis A and typhoid. Yellow fever vaccination may be required for travelers coming from countries where there’s a risk of yellow fever transmission.
You can also ask your healthcare provider for personalized guidance on travel vaccines.
Is there malaria in Brazil?
Malaria is a risk in some parts of Brazil. If you are going to a risk area, fill your malaria prescription before you leave, and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.
Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.
In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.
Do you need to be vaccinated for COVID to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise?
COVID-19 Vaccination is no longer required to sail, though we recommend guests be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While vaccination is not required, we kindly ask that you disclose your status during check-in.
Can you travel if you aren t fully vaccinated?
If you’re traveling without being fully vaccinated, you can take some steps to protect yourself and the people around you:
- Get a COVID test 1 to 3 days before you leave.
- Wear a mask on public transportation and in airports, stations, and other travel hubs.
- Keep your distance from people who aren’t traveling with you.
- Wash your hands often or use a hand sanitizer.
After you come back from your trip, you may want to consider staying home and getting a COVID test within 3 to 5 days.
A vaccine passport is proof that you’ve tested negative for or been protected against certain infections. It can be digital, like a phone app, or physical, such as a small paper card. You can carry it with you and show it if required, like before you go into the office, board an airplane, or visit a restaurant, movie theater, or gym.
Do you need shots to go to the Caribbean?
What Vaccines Do I Need for the Caribbean and Northern America? The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for travelers to the Caribbean and Northern America: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever and rabies.
The Caribbean and Northern America offer a wide variety of experiences for all kinds of travelers. From the snows of Greenland to the beaches of Jamaica, there is something for everyone.
On This Page:What Vaccines Do I Need for the Caribbean and Northern America?Are There Other Health Concerns in the Caribbean and Northern America?What Are the Entry Requirements in the Caribbean and Northern America?Traveling to Another Destination?
Passport Health offers all the vaccinations and medications you may need to travel safely throughout the region. See our What Vaccines… section to learn more.
📹 Cruise lines relaxing COVID vaccine requirements
Four cruise lines are relaxing the requirement next month.
I think that back in December I thought that vaccines would be required before cruise lines were able get fully under way and that testing was a temporary measure. As vaccines are being more widely available in many countries, I think still that this will be the case. I am fine with that and if others don’t choose to get a vaccine shot and don’t go on cruises, then that is certainly their choice, but, I will choose not to be on a cruise where everyone, including crew, has not been vaccinated. Thanks so much for your thoughtful updates on these issues.
Wow, your articles are always well thought out, but this time you have excelled yourself. Very well thought out piece. Would give multiple thumbs up if I could. Two additional comments : 1) For crew – I hope they will be vaccinated. Earlier I saw some discussion of them being trapped on ships for months at a time, unable to go ashore, and the mental health dimension of that would seem draconian to me. 2) The list of vaccines might also be a moving target as the virus mutates. That one is personal for me. Australia is relying on Astra Zeneca for most of our population, but South Africa, which I want to visit, has pivoted to J&J because of concerns with the Astra Zeneca’s handling of the South African mutation. So it won’t surprise me if vaccines get “de-certified” for travel.
Thanks Gary. Going on full transit Panama Canal trip in Feb on HAL. i pulled the US State Dept and CDC reports on the countries we are visitING. The CDC vaccine reports show a lot of uncommon type vaccines like Hep A and B, typhoid, and Malaria. Do you know if these should be done before a cruise or have you received any feedback from those doing this route having to get this vaccines prior to sailing. Thanks for all your articles and safe sailings.
The scientific evidence that Ivermectin is both a preventive measure and treatment for COVID is very strong. It should be interesting to see how the current trials in progress right now will say. Past trials have shown Ivermectin to be very effective. Some countries have already approved Ivermectin, but sadly the US has not given full approval.
As I got older I was looking forward to travelling more and cruising was a way to do it, in the last 5 years I have done 4 of them and I feel very sad about this news because I strongly believe that the pandemic is not based on a real threat, just yesterday I pulled the death statistics for my Country, Canada for the last 10 years and since the Canadian Government has not released that information (I was told maybe until November) so I got the data from other sources and the data shows just a normal increase in deaths every year on average about 1% increase per year, my guess is due of the increase of population so more people die, so we are being told about all the deaths but the Data shows there was no increase in 2020 so why are we not standing up and demanding that all this is not necessary. I will definitely not be cruising and I am 63 years old so I hope I still get the chance to do it again free of any red tape in the near future before I die.
Maybe an idea to reduce your uploads to Youtube to once a week (or even less) in stead of almost every day? It is becoming so repetitious. It all can be summarized as: Forget cruising until spring or summer 2022 ! Thinking about going on a cruise and reading about all the false (re-)starts by cruise companies is simply a waste of time.