30/06/2021
Royal Caribbean has announced protocols for August Florida sailings.
Vaccine & Insurance Requirements
Statement
Royal Caribbean has released new information pertaining to August sailings departing from Florida homeports. Provided below is an overview on vaccine guidance, testing protocols, and NEW insurance requirements. Please be sure to read the information carefully. We will continue to update these protocols as public health situations evolve. Guidance for all other departure ports is still in development with federal, state and local authorities. Booked guests will be provided full details specific to their port of departure prior to sailing.
As a reminder, provided below are the Florida ships that will be sailing this August.
Freedom of the Seas (July restart)
Odyssey of the Seas (July restart)
Allure of the Seas beginning August 8, 2021
Symphony of the Seas beginning August 14, 2021
Mariner of the Seas beginning August 23, 2021
What You Need To Know
Vaccinations
We strongly recommend all guests 12 years and older be fully vaccinated. To be considered fully vaccinated, the final dose of the vaccine must be completed at least 14 days before sailing.
At check-in, guests will be asked to provide documentation of their vaccination, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.
Those who are 12 years and older and do not have or are unable to provide documentation will be considered unvaccinated.
Our unvaccinated guests must undergo additional COVID-19 testing at their own expense, provide proof of a valid insurance policy with sufficient medical coverage for needs related to a positive COVID-19 test result, and follow the health protocols described below, which are based on guidance from the CDC.
If a guest does not wish to undergo or pay for additional testing, or adhere to these health and safety protocols, we are happy to provide them with a refund. We believe that in the coming months, restrictions and requirements will be more accommodating as public health circumstances evolve.
All crew onboard our ships will be fully vaccinated.
Insurance Requirement
For cruises departing from Florida homeports from August 1 through December 31, 2021, as a condition of boarding, each unvaccinated guest 12 and older must provide proof of a valid insurance policy that has a minimum of (a) $25,000 per person in medical expense coverage and (b) $50,000 per person for quarantine and medical evacuation related to a positive COVID-19 test result.
The insurance policy must name the unvaccinated guest as the policy holder or beneficiary, and may be purchased from a travel insurance company of the guest’s choosing or through the Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program, which includes the requisite coverage.
This policy applies to sailings from August 1 through December 31, 2021, and all bookings — except bookings made between March 19, 2021 and June 28, 2021.
Testing Requirements for Vaccinated Guests
Vaccinated guests do not have any testing requirements.
Testing Requirements for Unvaccinated Guests
As a requirement to sail with us, all unvaccinated guests age two and older must undergo multiple COVID-19 tests. Testing at the terminal prior to embarkation and onboard before disembarking will be conducted by licensed and accredited third-party testing providers we have contracted. Our unvaccinated guests must register for this test and agree to the third-party testing provider terms and conditions. Registration details will be sent via email in advance.
For unvaccinated guests 12 years and older, the total charge from the third-party testing vendor for these tests is $136 USD per guest on sailings of 6 nights or less, and $178 USD per guest on sailings of 7 nights or more. This amount will be applied to the guest’s onboard expense account. Royal Caribbean will pay the testing vendor(s) on the guest’s behalf and will not retain any part of the testing costs. For guests age 2 to 11 years old, we will cover the cost of any required testing.
The testing required of our unvaccinated guests is described below.
Pre-Cruise - Unvaccinated guests 12 years of age and older will need to undergo a PCR test administered by an accredited laboratory of the guest’s choice and taken within three days of sailing. We will require documentation of a negative result for this test prior to embarkation. All costs for this test are the unvaccinated guest’s responsibility.
At the Terminal - Unvaccinated guests 2 years of age and older are required to undergo a PCR test when checking in at the terminal, which will be administered by one of our testing vendors. Registration details will be sent via email in advance.
Mid-Cruise (For Sailings 7 Nights or longer) - Unvaccinated guests 2 years of age and older will be required to undergo additional antigen testing onboard, mid-cruise. Guests will be notified onboard about how to register for this test.
Prior to Disembarking - While onboard, unvaccinated guests 2 years of age and older will be required to undergo antigen testing within 24 hours of disembarking at the end of the voyage. This test will be conducted the day before the cruise ends by one of our testing vendors. Guests will be notified onboard about how to register for this test.
These tests will be complimentary for guests ages 2-11 years. Guests under 2 years of age will not be tested.
Please note: Health protocols are expected to change over time. Guidance for other ports and sailings is still in development with federal, state, and local authorities. As the number of positive cases decline, more people are vaccinated, and different regions update their requirements – we’ll continue to share our updated protocols.
The Royal Promise: COVID-19 Assistance Coverage
Statement
The COVID-19 Assistance coverage has been modified. Vaccinated guests and children not yet eligible to be vaccinated who book a Royal Caribbean International cruise that’s sailing on or before October 31, 2021 will have the following COVID-19 Assistance at no extra charge. Unvaccinated adult guests sailing from Florida homeports who booked prior to March 19, 2021 or after June 28, 2021 will not be subject to this COVID-19 Assistance, and must provide proof of insurance prior to boarding.
COVID-19 Assistance
100% cruise fare refund for you and your Traveling Party, if any of you tests positive for COVID-19 within 14 days prior to the cruise or at the boarding terminal.
Pro-rated cruise fare refund if your cruise is cut short for reasons related to COVID-19.
If you test positive for COVID-19 during the cruise, Royal Caribbean will cover the costs of COVID-19 related medical treatment onboard, any required land-based quarantine, and travel home for you and your Traveling Party.
Last modified June 28, 2021. Subject to change. “Traveling Party” means your family members living with you in the same household and traveling companions assigned to your stateroom on the cruise. Conditioned upon compliance with the RCG COVID-19 Policies and Procedures in effect at the time of the cruise. Additional terms and conditions apply.
Key Dates
This insurance policy applies to sailings from August 1 through December 31, 2021, and all bookings — except bookings made between March 19, 2021 and June 28, 2021.
Unvaccinated adult guests sailing from Florida homeports who booked prior to March 19, 2021 or after June 28, 2021 will not be subject to this COVID-19 Assistance, and must provide proof of insurance prior to boarding.
Vaccinated guests and children not yet eligible to be vaccinated who book a Royal Caribbean International cruise that’s sailing on or before October 31, 2021 will be eligible for COVID-19 Assistance at no extra charge.
