At the end of the second year of a global epidemic, several businesses, including cruise lines, have begun operating normally again, but with strict health safeguards in place. Because the close quarters, buffet-style living, and worldwide travel aboard cruise ships can make them ideal environments for the spread of the coronavirus.

As with many modern travel restrictions, the ability to schedule a cruise may be contingent on your vaccination status. Can you still take your dream cruise if you opted out of getting the COVID-19 vaccine? Unless you have a rare medical or religious exception, the answer is probably not if you're an adult in the United States.

What's Completely Vaccinated?

Generally speaking, two weeks after receiving a second Pfizer or Moderna injection, or four weeks after receiving a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, is considered "completely vaccinated" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Some cruise lines may be willing to accept a combination of AstraZeneca's viral vector vaccination and Merck's mRNA vaccine. However, in the United States, this still needs to be permitted as part of the main series for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention both endorse certain vaccinations, and certain cruise companies, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, accept these passengers. The AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines are examples of such products. Find out what the WHO has to say about vaccinations right here.

The Problem of Adult Non-Vaccination and Vaccine Exemptions

After Pfizer's vaccine was approved for children aged 5 to 11 at the start of November, most major cruise companies began requiring evidence of immunization for all passengers aged 12 and above. Starting with their January 13th sailings, Disney Cruise Operator became the first cruise line to mandate vaccinations for guests as young as 5.

There are varying policies across cruise lines on whether they would honor medical exemptions, and it may even vary by port. For instance, Carnival states that it will accept some vaccine exemptions from passengers 12 and under and adults with "written confirmation from their medical provider" that they cannot be vaccinated, but only at its Florida, Texas, and Alabama ports until the end of March 2022.

COVID- Children under 12 and those "required by US federal law" to receive an exemption from the 19 compulsory vaccines for boarding at Carnival's Long Beach, California port due to religious or medical reasons.

What If I Have A Certificate of Recovery?

In place of vaccination as proof of immunity, several nations provide "certificates of recovery" to those infected with COVID-19 and have since recovered. For instance, the recovery from COVID-19 may be certified via the European Union's Digital COVID Certificate.

Certificates of recovery are accepted for customers departing from ports outside the United States on Royal Caribbean cruises. Before booking a trip, if you live outside the US and have a certificate of recovery, it is recommended that you get in touch with the cruise company of your choice.

If you've already had COVID-19 and want to avoid getting vaccinated against it on your trip, you won't be able to do so by showing the cruise line a certificate of recovery issued by the United States.

Unvaccinated Children On A Cruise

Depending on the vessel, it's possible that children won't be allowed to board. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line does not accept passengers younger than five because kids cannot yet be vaccinated. You should inquire with the cruise operator if your child is turning five years old during the trip.

Wish to take the kids on a Disney cruise? After the first of the year, Disney Cruise Line was the first cruise line to mandate vaccinations for all guests, even those as young as 5. Some cruise lines may not formally demand immunizations for children so young at this time, but others may follow suit shortly.

Only purchase a ticket for a kid under 12 if you have received confirmation from your preferred cruise line on the vaccination requirements and a deadline for compliance. Please keep in mind that vaccine exemptions and reimbursements are not automatic.

Why Do People Need To Get Shots Before Going On A Cruise?

Being completely vaccinated not only reduces your risk of contracting COVID-19, but it also reduces the risk of spreading the virus to people near you. It is common practice for cruise lines to quiz passengers upon boarding and disembarkation.

"If you or a member of your party tests positive, you will not be allowed to get on the boat at the last minute,"

If you become sick on the boat, you could have to go into quarantine, and if you're traveling internationally, you'll need to pass a COVID test in order to re-enter the country. If infected, you'll need to quarantine yourself in a hotel for around a week."