Two major cruise companies have dropped their requirement for vaccinations for passengers.
P&O Cruises and TUI's Marella Cruises have both announced that full Covid vaccinations are no long essential for those wanting to come onboard.
Customers travelling on Marella sailings from 1 May 2023 will no longer have to provide proof of their Covid vaccination.
The change will apply to all of the brand's cruises, except for destinations that call for proof of vaccination as an entry requirement to the country as set by local authorities, such as the USA and US territories.
It is important to note that the arrival of a ship in port is considered as entry to the destination, regardless of whether a passenger disembarks the ship.
For any customers travelling on or before 30 April 2023, Marella Cruises’ existing vaccination rules apply, which require everyone aged 12 and over to be fully vaccinated to travel.
It's not the only cruise line to be relaxing its Covid rules.
P&O Cruises has also dropped its requirement for passengers to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and to take a test before their holiday. The cruise line previously required guests to be jabbed at least 14 days before sailing, and to show a negative test result.
“As health protocols for Covid-19 continue to evolve around the world, we have an important update to our pre-cruise vaccination and testing requirements to share with you,” P&O Cruises said in a statement.
“Covid-19 vaccination and testing are no longer mandatory for guests travelling on our holidays, apart from those booked on cruise J301.
“While vaccination is no longer required for the majority of our holidays, we still highly recommend that all guests travelling on our ships are up to date with Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters when eligible and where available.
“If you’re displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 or feel unwell in the days leading up to your holiday, we highly recommend that you take a Covid-19 test before you travel and only travel to the ship if this is negative.
“If you’re symptomatic on the day of embarkation, we ask that you declare this to terminal or check-in staff.”
It is important you're fully aware of a cruise companies vaccine rules before you book yourself onboard.
Celebrity Cruises dropped its testing and vaccine requirements on sailings in the United States and Europe in September.
The cruise line now only requires cruisers to meet local testing requirements with any commercially available test.
Princess Cruises removed most requirements for passengers on sailings of 16 days or less last summer.
Royal Caribbean has similarly ditched its jab and testing rules, while Disney Cruise Line dropped the same requirements in November.
