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Royal Caribbean Group adjusts COVID-19 testing requirementsRoyal Caribbean Group adjusts COVID-19 testing requirements

Royal Caribbean Group is adjusting its COVID-19 testing protocols based on vaccination and cruise length.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

July 28, 2022

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

Starting Aug. 8, testing will be required for unvaccinated travelers on all voyages and for vaccinated travelers only on voyages six nights or longer.

This followed the end of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 program for cruise ships last week.

Royal Caribbean Group President/CEO Jason Liberty said the company is adapting protocols 'to align more closely with how the rest of society and other travel and leisure businesses are operating.'

Will look at lifting requirements for longer cruises

Liberty said Royal Caribbean Group will look at removing the testing requirement for longer cruises in the next 45 days or so, where allowed by destinations. He also expects testing mandates in  the majority of deployments to be lifted in that period.

Depending on where the ships go and COVID levels in destinations, additional protocols may be layered on if needed.

Bookings spiked after US air arrivals testing requirement lifted

As soon as the US waived its testing requirement for international air arrivals to the US on June 12, Royal Caribbean experienced a 9% or 10% lift in booking activity for summer sailings. This helped Europeam cruises by removing the worry for Americans that may be stuck overseas if testing positive before their return. 

'We've made up quite a bit of ground,' Liberty said, however he noted getting flights to Europe on short notice can be a challenge.

More than 3m cruisers carried

Royal Caribbean Group has carried more than 3m passengers since returning to service last year. 

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

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