In a new update yesterday, Royal Caribbean has announced some changes in protocols for guests traveling with cruises visiting or embarking in Canada and Barbados.
In an email to its travel partners, the cruise line highlighted new protocols for its customers, good news for many cruisers who had to endure the extra costs associated with testing and other entry paperwork.
Both the Canadian and Barbadian governments recently announced a number of updates to their Covid protocols as it relates to tourists. A welcome change for many, which has allowed cruise lines to modify their policies.
There are, however, no new updated protocols for Bermuda, which still requires pre-cruise testing and entry approval with a fee.
Here is what cruisers need to know about the changes for cruises to Canada and Barbados.
Changes to cruises to Canada
Starting October 1, 2022, for sailings of 9 nights or less, Royal Caribbean is welcoming all guests, regardless of vaccination status, for cruises that embark, debark, or visit Canada. This is welcome news for cruisers leaving on New England sailings in the remainder of the year.
Vaccination and testing
Royal Caribbean notes the following protocols based on vaccination status:
- Vaccinated guests, regardless of age, will no longer need to test for sailing lengths of 9 nights or less. And, boarding day tests are no longer required.
- Unvaccinated guests aged 5 and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of the sail date.
- Additionally, for sailings of 10 nights or more, all guests ages 5 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of the sail date.
Despite the changes in protocols, the cruise line continues to recommend that guests be vaccinated against Covid-19. Noting that for those eligible, “ we recommend that guests joining us be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While vaccination is not required, we kindly ask you disclose your status during check-in to ensure we maintain a highly vaccinated onboard population”.
Testing information
Royal Caribbean, in a major improvement for cruisers, is allowing guests to take advantage of at-home antigen tests; even unsupervised tests will satisfy this requirement for cruises to and from Canada.
Passengers must present proof of a negative test at boarding. This can be provided in the form of a printout, an email, or an app screen from the test provider. Additionally, guests can show a picture of their negative home test on their phone, or present the actual negative test itself.
ArriveCAN App
The ArriveCAN app was introduced by the Canadian government for cross-border travel during the pandemic. Travelers entering Canada had to complete the electronic form with health information and other details prior to arrival in Canada.
The Canadian government has announced that as of Effective October 1, 2022, completion of the ArriveCAN form is no longer required. As such, it is not a requirement for guests traveling to and from Canada as part of their cruise.
Although the government has said that it will be optional, and plans are to make it part of an advanced declaration form to speed up the process for those flying into Canada in the future,
Current cruises that will be impacted by changes in 2022
This is good news for cruisers traveling on the remaining itineraries to Canada in 2022. Royal Caribbean has sailings running throughout October, including:
- 7-night cruise to Canada, leaving from Boston, Massachusetts, on Voyager of the Seas
- 8-night Canada and New England Cruise leaving from Baltimore, Maryland on Enchantment of the Seas
- 9 night Canada and New England Cruise sailing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey on Adventure of the Seas
Changes to cruises from Barbados
For cruisers on or after October 1, Royal Caribbean is accepting all guests, regardless of vaccination status, back onboard for itineraries from Barbados. Royal Caribbean offers a number of cruises that originate in Bridgetown, Barbados in 2022 and the future.
Vaccination and testing
For cruises out of Barbados, the requirements are as follows:
- Vaccinated guests, regardless of age, will no longer need to test for sailing lengths of 9 nights or less. And, boarding day tests are no longer required.
- Unvaccinated guests aged 5 and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of our sail date.
- Additionally, for sailings of 10 nights or more, all guests age 5 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of the sail date.
Despite the changes in protocols, the cruise line does continue to recommend that guests be vaccinated against Covid-19; for those who are eligible, Guests are asked to disclose their status during check-in to ensure we maintain a highly vaccinated onboard population.
Testing details
Passengers must present proof of a negative test at boarding. This can be provided in the form of a printout, an email, or an app screen from the test provider. Alternatively, passengers can show a picture of their negative home test on their phone, or present the actual negative test itself.
Barbados Customs and Immigration Form
All guests need to adhere to any entry requirements and complete the Barbados Customs and Immigration form within 72 hours of arrival in Barbados. The form can be completed in advance and once finished, a receipt will be emailed to passengers with a travel code.
Upcoming Barbados cruises impacted by changes
This will impact cruises with sailings out of Bridgetown, Barbados, including both the Rhapsody of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas, which start running in November of this year.
