Carnival Cruise Line Removes Pre-Cruise Testing for Vaccinated Guests and Welcomes All Unvaccinated To Sail

[ProgRockCruiser]

You can read about it here:

 

https://www.carnivalcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/princess-cruises-removes-vaccine-requirement-most-voyages

 

I suspect Carnival Cruise Lines will have a similar announcement shortly.

[ProgRockCruiser]

Oh yeah, and Carnival Corp released a similar announcement for Cunard an hour before.  So probably timing them hour by hour.

[ProgRockCruiser]

CCL Corp just released the same wording for P&O as they used for Cunard.

 

(Sorry for the constant updates, but for once I'm seeing it happen in real time and I find it fascinating for some reason.)

[allinwonderland]

C'mon, c'mon, Carnival, make the announcement! I've got a 7-day cruise at the end of September (with 0 restrictions from the ports) for which I would love not having to deal with the testing malarkey.

 

In all seriousness, I'm quite surprised the higher-end lines in their portfolio - known for having significantly older passengers on average - dropped restrictions and testing before Carnival itself.

[ProgRockCruiser]

3 minutes ago, allinwonderland said:

In all seriousness, I'm quite surprised the higher-end lines in their portfolio - known for having significantly older passengers on average - dropped restrictions and testing before Carnival itself.

Maybe they are waiting for John Heald to approve, and he's just finishing his cruise on P&O Iona, so might have to wait until Monday.  🤣

 

My more serious expectation is they will release something around 4pm ET (US).  But I've been wrong before on such things...

[firefly333]

I wish I was booked on princess then. I am sick and tired of pre testing

[ProgRockCruiser]

1 minute ago, firefly333 said:

I wish I was booked on princess then. I am sick and tired of pre testing

I would be shocked if Carnival doesn't come out with a similar announcement before Monday evening (noting a weekend is upon us, so if they miss today, it will wait until Monday afternoon).

 

And I'm guessing it will be today, maybe 4pm ET as noted above.

[ProgRockCruiser]

3 minutes ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

And I'm guessing it will be today, maybe 4pm ET as noted above.

Apparently I haven't been paying attention to the time, since it was around 4pm when I posted that.

 

OK, I will reset my expectations to "before 5pm ET".

[Concretemanstan]

Do it Carnival!  No more testing!  I can fly to the US from the UK knowing I'll definitely be allowed on the ship!

[allinwonderland]

21 minutes ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

Maybe they are waiting for John Heald to approve, and he's just finishing his cruise on P&O Iona, so might have to wait until Monday.  🤣

After the way the whole Bahamas testing thing was handled - with him virulently doubling down that it was a port requirement, only to have them backtrack after a couple days - I personally think they'd be best off keeping him away from the news at first. 🤣🤣🤣

[Laurab23]

My cruise is in Oct. Fingers crossed no more pre cruise testing.

 

Laura

[Lee Cruiser]

20 minutes ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I would be shocked if Carnival doesn't come out with a similar announcement before Monday evening (noting a weekend is upon us, so if they miss today, it will wait until Monday afternoon).

 

And I'm guessing it will be today, maybe 4pm ET as noted above.

Yes, I am with you. I believe it is coming in the next few days. Hopefully it will be like these with mostly no testing.

[Lee Cruiser]

38 minutes ago, allinwonderland said:

C'mon, c'mon, Carnival, make the announcement! I've got a 7-day cruise at the end of September (with 0 restrictions from the ports) for which I would love not having to deal with the testing malarkey.

We have one beginning September 23. I’ve been believing that it wouldn’t require testing since the CDC dropped their cruise ship program. I haven’t ordered tests yet either because I’m still thinking it will happen soon!

[allinwonderland]

6 minutes ago, Lee Cruiser said:

We have one beginning September 23. I’ve been believing that it wouldn’t require testing since the CDC dropped their cruise ship program. I haven’t ordered tests yet either because I’m still thinking it will happen soon!

Haha, mine leaves on the 24th. I've been watching the news like a hawk since the CDC dropped the program, in the hopes that no tests would be required by my cruise. I would've also had to make sure that my traveling companion gets their test done correctly, whether proctored online or finding them a test site to go to that wouldn't charge $130, or they could be denied boarding (we don't live in the same state), so IF the testing drops in time, I'll be extra excited not to have to stress about them potentially screwing it up and ruining my vacation!

Edited August 12, 2022 by allinwonderland

[kdr69]

The announcement doesnt make sense.

 

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Aug. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Princess Cruises today announced updated COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, removing the vaccine requirement for most voyages of less than 16 days so that anyone can cruise, and adjusting pre-travel testing requirements to make it less complicated.

 

Starting Sept. 6, vaccinated guests sailing on voyages of less than 16 days will no longer have to test before boarding and only need to upload proof of vaccination while getting OceanReady. Unvaccinated guests, or those who do not provide proof of vaccination, on those itineraries will self-test within three days of sailing and upload proof of a negative test before boarding.   

 

If the Vaccine requirement is removed so anyone can sail why the need to upload proof of vaccination????

[Concretemanstan]

What we need is a Uri Geller special where we all stick a spoon on the TV and together will Carnival to drop it all.

[Bers]

5 minutes ago, kdr69 said:

If the Vaccine requirement is removed so anyone can sail why the need to upload proof of vaccination????

So they know who needs a test. Unvaxxd get tested. 

[Native Floridian 26]

CCL has been announced now!

[Native Floridian 26]

Here we go.

 

https://www.carnivalcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/carnival-cruise-line-removes-pre-cruise-testing-vaccinated

Edited August 12, 2022 by Native Floridian 26

[allinwonderland]

https://www.carnivalcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/carnival-cruise-line-removes-pre-cruise-testing-vaccinated

 

Once again, it looks pretty copy-paste LOL. But who cares?

[Lee Cruiser]

Great news!! We knew it had to be coming soon.

Edited August 12, 2022 by Lee Cruiser

[Lee Cruiser]

55 minutes ago, kdr69 said:

The announcement doesnt make sense.

 

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Aug. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Princess Cruises today announced updated COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, removing the vaccine requirement for most voyages of less than 16 days so that anyone can cruise, and adjusting pre-travel testing requirements to make it less complicated.

 

Starting Sept. 6, vaccinated guests sailing on voyages of less than 16 days will no longer have to test before boarding and only need to upload proof of vaccination while getting OceanReady. Unvaccinated guests, or those who do not provide proof of vaccination, on those itineraries will self-test within three days of sailing and upload proof of a negative test before boarding.   

 

If the Vaccine requirement is removed so anyone can sail why the need to upload proof of vaccination????

Unvaccinated still have to test

[jsglow]

It'll be interesting to see if some destinations drop the requirements. I suspect Canada will hold out for the remainder of the Alaska season. 

[Jamman54]

Great news, but of course our next two cruises are to Bermuda and Canada! 😀

[csm5986142]

If I understood correctly, new guidelines are effective for cruises departing on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022 or later (just missing those of embarking on Labor Day Cruises).  Still great news though.