NEWS/UPDATED: Some cruise lines currently consider guests who have a mix of vaccines as not being fully vaccinated – for sailings from U.S. ports. This could mean that many residents of Canada, Britain and other countries where mixing vaccines is acceptable, might be denied cruising in the U.S.
*** UPDATE #1: Royal Caribbean seems to be in the process of revising their policy as information on their page has just changed. Updates may continue for other cruise lines without notice so be sure to check for the most updated informatIon after July 16, 2021.
UPDATE #2: Royal added another update that as of August 1, guests on Adventure of the Seas need to get a COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) three days prior to their cruise that visits the Bahamas (instead of five days).
UPDATE #3: Royal has added this regarding COVID-tests: “We are requiring all guests over the age of 2, regardless of vaccine status, to provide a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding on sailings 5-nights or longer. This new policy is for all sailings in the U.S. from July 31 to August 31. The test must be administered no more than three days prior to sailing and proof of negative results must be shown at check-in.”
UPDATE #4: Carnival has updated their policy regarding masks which are now to be worn inside in some areas. Also, vaccinated guests must also provide a negative COVID test prior to boarding, just as unvaccinated guests do. Please check their website for ongoing updates.
UPDATE #5: Princess and Holland America line have updated their policies due to the Delta variant.
UPDATE #6: Carnival has updated their policy regarding permitted some mixed vaccination combinations, mask policies and currently not selling or providing on board testing for vaccinated passengers who need a negative test to fly home on disembarkation day. Please check Carnival updates carefully and contact the cruise line as policies change frequently.
Please check policies closer to your sail date as this situation is constantly evolving.
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Here are the current mixing vaccines policies from Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean as of July 16, 2021.
The changes might be mandated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for cruises from U.S. ports, as per the Conditional Sailing Order (CSO).
While these are just a few cruise lines listed below, be sure to check other cruise lines for their mixing vaccines policies, as they may still be in the process of updating them, depending on where their cruise ships are sailing from and where they are visiting.
PLEASE NOTE that these policies CAN CHANGE AT ANY TIME, so check with your cruise line for the most up-to-date information.
CARNIVAL
Carnival accepts “Any vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO). Pfizer and Moderna can be mixed to complete a full vaccination series. All other vaccines in a 2-dose series are required to be of the same type.”
IN CASE THIS CHANGES, HERE’S THE LINK:
https://www.carnival.com/legal/covid-19-legal-notices/return-to-service-faqs
HOLLAND AMERICA
“Guests who have received one single dose of a vector vaccine (e.g. AstraZeneca) and one single dose of a mRNA vaccine (e.g. Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna) will not be considered fully vaccinated.
Guests who have received two single doses of mixed vaccines that are the same type (e.g., both are mRNA) will be considered fully vaccinated and will be permitted to sail, so long as the final dose is received at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise.”
IN CASE THIS CHANGES, HERE’S THE LINK:
https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/worry-free-promise/travel-well.html#FAQ
NORWEGIAN
“For ships embarking or disembarking at US ports, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or World Health Organization (WHO) authorized single brand vaccination protocol will be accepted, including, J&J Janssen, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Oxford.
Mixed vaccination protocol will not be accepted (i.e. Pfizer + Moderna or AstraZeneca + Pfizer etc.).
All Other Vessels departing from a non-U.S. port will accept any U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), or World Health Organization (WHO) authorized single brand vaccination protocol. Or a mixed vaccination protocol of only AstraZeneca-SK Bio, Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna combinations.”
IN CASE THIS CHANGES HERE’S THE LINK:
https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/cruise-faq/what-vaccines-will-be-accepted
PRINCESS
“Guests who have received one single dose of a vector vaccine (e.g. AstraZeneca) and one single dose of a mRNA vaccine (e.g. Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna) will not be considered fully vaccinated.
Guests who have received two single doses of mixed vaccines that are the same type (e.g., mRNA) will be considered fully vaccinated and will be permitted to sail, so long as the final dose is received at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise.”
IN CASE THIS CHANGES, HERE’S THE LINK:
https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/
ROYAL CARIBBEAN
UPDATE: Royal Caribbean seems to be in the process of revising their policy as this link information has now changed. Be sure to contact them for the most up to date information.
What did appear July 16, 2021 is:
“Vaccination requirements vary by port of departure and by age group. Below are the current published requirements for select ports. We are continually adding, monitoring and adjusting information on vaccination requirements as public health conditions evolve. Booked guests will be advised of the latest requirements for their port of departure before sailing.
Read more about what vaccines are accepted and what documents should be provided for proof of vaccination.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Guests who have used mixed vaccination protocols will not be considered fully vaccinated (i.e.1 dose Pfizer + 1 dose Moderna, or 1 dose AstraZeneca + 1 dose Pfizer, etc.).
To be considered fully vaccinated, a guest must have received all doses of one accepted vaccine. Otherwise, a guest will be considered unvaccinated.”
IN CASE THIS CHANGES, HERE’S THE LINK:
Please note that these policies of mixing vaccines CAN CHANGE at any time.
To learn more about vaccination policies click here regarding “Venues Permitted Based on Vaccination Status on Freedom of the Seas”
