With Royal Caribbean's European cruise season just weeks away from beginning, the cruise line has begun to publish its health protocols for cruises in the region.
Guests with cruises booked in Europe this summer have been anxious to know what the onboard experience will be like, as well as what changes they can expect.
Royal Caribbean has been cautious with announcing protocols, as government regulations and health expert recommendations have been changing regularly. But the first set of protocols for cruisers is starting to emerge.
Royal Caribbean informed passengers on its transatlantic sailings, as well as cruises from Copenhagen, Denmark, of what to expect for Covid protocols. Protocols for other ships sailing in Europe in 2022 are expected soon.
Royal Caribbean also added that these protocols are subject to change due to evolving government regulations in the region.
Here's a look at the first protocols released so far on Royal Caribbean's website.
Transatlantic
Royal Caribbean has released protocols for guests sailing from U.S. to Europe on Transatlantic cruises.
These apply to the following sailings:
- April 20, 2022 Wonder of the Seas sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Barcelona, Spain
- April 23, 2022 Odyssey of the Seas sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Rome, Italy
- April 29, 2022 Vision of the Seas sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Barcelona, Spain
- April 29, 2022 Jewel of the Seas sailing from Miami, Florida to Amsterdam, Netherlands
- May 2, 2022 Anthem of the Seas sailing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey to Southampton, U.K.
Vaccination
For transatlantic sailings, all guests, regardless of age, must be fully vaccinated. Guests who do not meet this requirement, including unvaccinated children under age 12, will not be permitted to board a transatlantic sailing departing from the U.S. to Europe.
Additionally, all crew members onboard will be fully vaccinated.
Testing
Depending on where your ship sails to, the testing requirements are different.
Most transatlantic guests must show a negative result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 1 day before boarding day. This is due to a requirement from the government of Spain for ships that visit the country.
Guests on the May 2nd Anthem of the Seas sailing to the U.K. will have 2 days to complete this test.
During the cruise, guests 12 and older who are considered unvaccinated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or who are not up-to-date with their vaccines will require additional testing during the sailing depending on itinerary.
Masks
Masks are optional for vaccinated guests onboard. Masks will be required in Adventure Ocean, in the terminal, and may be required at various destinations.
Excursions
Fully vaccinated guests can visit most ports of call freely. Depending on their itinerary, guests who are not up-to-date with their vaccines/ boosters may require multiple tests to disembark in ports of call.
Cruises from Copenhagen, Denmark
Voyager of the Seas will sail from Copenhagen in the summer of 2022.
Vaccination
All Royal Caribbean guests aged 12 and older must present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination approved by the WHO or EMA, with the final dose administered at least 14 days before sailing.
Children aged 11 and under do not require COVID-19 vaccination to cruise. However, kids aged 5 to 11 who have been vaccinated may present proof of full vaccination and follow the protocols for vaccinated guests.
All crew onboard the ship are fully vaccinated and receive a booster dose as they become eligible.
Testing
Sailings longer than 10 nights may have additional onboard testing requirements.
Pre-cruise
Besides what Royal Caribbean requires, non-EU or Schengen visitors must present a negative Covid-19 antigen test taken within 24 hours of their flight departure time.
Prior to embarkation day, fully vaccinated guests will need to show a negative result for an antigen test taken no more than two days before boarding day.
Unvaccinated kids age 2 to 11 will take a complimentary test when checking in at the terminal.
During the cruise
Depending on their itinerary, guests who are not up-to-date with their vaccines/ boosters or whose vaccine is not approved by the EMA, may require multiple tests and curated shore excursions to disembark in ports of call.
For sailings from Copenhagen, this currently includes guests age 12 and above for the rest of Europe.
Prior to disembarkation
Guests age 15 and above not up-to-date with their vaccines/ boosters , will take an antigen test within two days of disembarkation day. Guests will be notified onboard about how to register for this test.
Guests under 2 years of age do not need to complete a pre-cruise test.
Masks
Masks are optional for fully vaccinated guests.
Masks are required for all children age 2 and older while at the Adventure Ocean youth program. Guests under 2 do not have to wear a mask at any time.
Excursions
Fully vaccinated guests can visit most ports of call freely. Depending on their itinerary, guests who are not up-to-date with their vaccines/ boosters may require multiple tests to disembark in ports of call.
