Princess Cruises Removes Vaccine Requirement for Most Sailings

[DeanneB]

This is a huge development!  Princess cruises will remove the vaccination requirement for 16 days and less sailing starting on Sept 6.  This move will open a significantly large number of people who wanted to step out and cruise.  Of course, I am curious if they will allow unvaccinated passengers to disembark in ports though since a large number of ports still require vaccination.  Has anyone heard more about this?

[Grego]

Are you really referring to the elimination of Covid testing before embarkation on most voyages?  Voyages over 16 days or some ports still require testing.  If you are not vaccinated then you are still required to do a Covid test before embarkation.  This is what the announcement was for.

[DeanneB]

Yes, that is right.  Guests would still need testing for more than 16 days.  Yeah, I've only been on 7 day cruises so in my mind, no testing for me. 🙂 Yay!  The 16 days cruise is the dream though, I do not have the time yet to go o longer cruises. 

[Videoman]

I was led to believe that the Vaccine Free people would need a test before boarding, irrespective of the length of cruise.  I was also told that the Vaccine Free are not allowed to cruise for longer than 16 days.  As a footnote, I have no idea why the Vaccine Free people are being targeted for testing when everyone realises that the vaccines don't stop you having it or passing it on, but I suppose it makes those who wish to wear a mask feel safer.  I was told that RCL, NCL, Princess and Carnival are leading the way, but not Cunard or P & O. I am awaiting a response from Marella.

[Emrys]

On 9/9/2022 at 5:17 AM, Videoman said:

I was led to believe that the Vaccine Free people would need a test before boarding, irrespective of the length of cruise.  I was also told that the Vaccine Free are not allowed to cruise for longer than 16 days.  As a footnote, I have no idea why the Vaccine Free people are being targeted for testing when everyone realises that the vaccines don't stop you having it or passing it on, but I suppose it makes those who wish to wear a mask feel safer.  I was told that RCL, NCL, Princess and Carnival are leading the way, but not Cunard or P & O. I am awaiting a response from Marella.

It certainly is changing so much. It seems the UK cruise lines are slightly different compared tot he U.S. ones, and also depends on where their vessels sail. At least it's gradually getting easier to cruise now. Shouldn't be too long until they just completely drop all the requirements.

[Maureen Foster]

Princess  as with so many things have so sadly stopped doing such as great food and services!!!!.  Our Vancouver- Vancouver  voyage was a crashing disaster starting with a  2.5 HOUR embarking ordeal at the port of Vancouver  right up and including the case of COVID  you gifted me on  October 2nd!!!!!

[CruiseCaptain]

@Maureen Foster I'm sure it will get better as they start to return to more normal times.