COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

Royal Caribbean’s Protocols for a healthy return to sea

Last Update: 11/11/2021

Vaccination, Testing, and Travel Document Requirements

“All Royal Caribbean guests age 12 and older must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing. In addition, guests must show a negative COVID-19 test result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days before boarding day. We will continually evaluate these requirements and make updates as local public health standards evolve.

For guests departing from Florida homeports, this is a requirement of The Bahamas and St. Thomas governments for a cruise ship to enter their waters. We remain in contact with local governments in the ports we visit and will update the policy if advised.”

Please note that Royal Caribbean’s travel requirements and health protocols are constantly evolving according to CDC recommendations and government requirements and are subject to change at any time.

All crew onboard the ship and at Perfect Day at CocoCay, are fully vaccinated. 

Vaccination Requirement:

  • All Royal Caribbean guests age 12 and older must present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose administered at least 14 days before sailing.
    • For CPC Week 1: Your final dose must be administered by 02/21/2022
    • For CPC Week 2: Your final dose must be administered by 02/28/2022
  • Each guest’s regimen must include at least two doses of vaccine unless the guest received the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. This guidance is per the U.S. CDC, and no exceptions will be made, even if the guest’s resident country has authorized a single-shot regimen for a two dose vaccine.
  • Royal Caribbean will NOT accept a Certificate of Recovery in lieu of a vaccination record card
  • Boosters are currently NOT required, but are highly recommended.
Vaccine Details and FAQs

What vaccines are accepted?

Royal Caribbean accepts vaccines that are fully approved or authorized for emergency use by the U.S. FDA or the World Health Organization. A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson).

See authorized U.S. FDA vaccines

See authorized World Health Organization vaccines

Vaccine policies are subject to change as Royal Caribbean monitors evolving public health guidance and government regulations.

Mixed Vaccines from Different Manufacturers

Royal Caribbean accepts a mixed vaccination series consisting of doses from different manufacturers, as long as your vaccine series meets the following requirements:

  • Must consist of at least two doses of vaccines that are fully approved or authorized for emergency use by the U.S. FDA or the World Health Organization.
  • The 2 doses must be administered at least 28 days apart.
  • The final dose must be completed at least 14 days before sailing.

Mixed vaccines may not be accepted at all ports of call. Guests who are vaccinated with a mixed series may not be allowed to go ashore at these ports, or may need to undergo additional testing if they wish to go ashore.

Vaccine Trial Participants

U.S. based AstraZeneca and Novavax clinical trial participants will be considered fully vaccinated 14 days after completing their vaccine series, and must provide required documents that show proof of vaccination.

Acceptable Proof of Vaccination

In order to present proof of vaccination for our cruises, the guest must show eligible documentation on boarding day at the terminal in the form of the vaccination record issued by either (1) the country’s health authority that administered the vaccination (e.g., U.S. CDC’s Vaccination Record Card) (2) electronic vaccination records where country policy requires the use of electronic documentation via app or health agency site (e.g. UK NHS App, NHS Certificate, Israel Green Pass, EU Digital COVID Certificate), or (3) a letter from the guest’s medical provider that administered the vaccination, which meets the following criteria:

  • The Proof of Vaccination must include the name of the vaccinated person matching the registered cruise guest with date of birth (DoB), the dates of the completed vaccination cycle, the administering physical or medical services provider, and the manufacturer of the vaccine issued.
  • The full vaccination cycle must be completed at least 14 days before your sail date (e.g., received the second dose in a two-dose series such as Pfizer or Moderna or a single dose of J&J).
  • The vaccine is recognized and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) and/or the World Health Organization (WHO).

NOTE: Royal Caribbean will accept a laminated original vaccine card from your country’s health authority as acceptable proof of vaccination, providing it meets all the aforementioned criteria. 

Fraudulent Documentation of Vaccination

Royal Caribbean will record all documentation of vaccination and review it for signs of fraud. They routinely provide documentation of vaccination to immigration, health and port authorities in the ports where they call. Falsifying documentation of vaccination is a crime in the U.S. and may lead to criminal prosecution in the various jurisdictions from where they sail, and in their ports of call. They reserve the right to deny boarding or remove from the ship any guest whom they believe has submitted a falsified documentation of vaccination.

Royal Caribbean further reserves the right to bring a civil action against any guest who submits false documentation of vaccination to recover all costs and damages caused by such fraudulent conduct.

Testing Requirements:

Before arriving on boarding day, you’ll need to take a COVID-19 test on your own, at your own expense, to meet U.S. CDC boarding requirements.

  • Vaccinated guests must show a negative result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days before boarding day.
    • For CPC Week 1: Your test must be taken from: 03/05/2022 – 03/07/2022
    • For CPC Week 2: Your test must be taken from: 03/12/2022 – 03/14/2022
  • There are two common types of diagnostic COVID-19 tests and Royal Caribbean accepts either kind to satisfy pre-cruise testing requirements. 
    1. A molecular test, also called a PCR test or NAAT test
    2. An antigen test, also called a rapid antigen test
  • The test must be performed by a health professional, such as a doctor, pharmacy technician, public health worker, or telehealth professional. This means that at home tests are NOT accepted (with the exception of Telehealth self-tests, see below)
  • You must receive a valid results document from your test provider that includes the name of the lab that processed the test, the lab’s CLIA Lab Number or Certification Number, the address of the lab, your name, the date the test was taken, type of test, and your negative result. This can be a printed document, email, or telehealth app notification. Fully handwritten doctor’s notes (such as those written on a prescription pad) will not be accepted. Minimal handwritten components (such as a check mark on a “negative” box) are acceptable as long as the other required information is printed on the document. 

The following tests are NOT accepted:

  • Antibody tests are NOT accepted, as they do not detect a current infection.
  • Home test kits that are self-administered at home, and not supervised live by a telehealth professional, are NOT accepted.

Cruise Ready Recap:

Follow these steps for a smooth boarding day.

  • Get Vaccinated: It’s required for guests 12 and older.
  • 30 Days Before: Download the Royal Caribbean App and check in for your cruise. Once in the app, you’ll select a 30-minute arrival time slot for your boarding day. It is very important you stick to this arrival window, as we’re arranging the boarding and testing process to accommodate a certain number of guests at one time.
  • 2 Days Before: Get your pre-cruise test. Vaccinated guests age 12 and older must show a negative COVID-19 test result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days before boarding. Read Detailed Testing FAQs
  • 1 Day Before: All guests must complete the Health Questionnaire on the Royal App.

Onboard the Ship – Mask Guidance (subject to change):

Masks are NOT required to be worn:

  • In open-air areas of the ship, unless you are in a crowded setting.
  • In the pool or any activity where they may become wet.
  • At venues designated for vaccinated guests only, such as select bars, lounges, restaurants and shows.
  • In your stateroom when you are with your traveling party.
  • While visiting our private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, unless you are in a crowded setting.

Masks ARE required to be worn:

  • While indoors in public areas of the ship, unless seated and actively eating or drinking.
  • While visiting public ports of call, where local regulations may require them.

Mask-Free Spaces:

Some venues and nightlife events will be for vaccinated guests only. Masks won’t be required in these venues. This includes some lounges, the nightclub, and College Party Cruise private events.

Travel Documents Checklist

  • Passport Book is strongly recommended for expedited check-in and US Customs & Immigration process. 
    • If you do not have a Passport, you may present a state-certified U.S. Birth Certificate (not a “baby feet” hospital certificate or baptismal paper) TOGETHER with a valid Driver’s License or photo ID issued by the government.
    • International guests (non-US Citizens) must check their visa/ESTA requirements before traveling.
  • COVID-19 vaccination proof such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 vaccination record card. The final dose of your vaccine must have been administered at least 14 days before sailing.
  • COVID-19 Test Result: Vaccinated guests must show a negative COVID-19 test result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days before boarding.
  • Health Questionnaire to be completed on our Royal Caribbean App the day before you board.