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In a return to normalcy, Norwegian Cruise Line has dropped all travel restrictions effective October 5, 2022. This means that guests on Norwegian cruises no longer have to submit to COVID-19 testing, masking, or vaccination requirements.
Norwegian is one of the first major cruise lines to do away with vaccination requirements and the first cruise line to get rid of all requirements, including testing.
However, travelers are still subject to local restrictions in countries visited during their cruise. This means there is a possibility of vaccination or testing requirements in order to disembark at certain ports of call.
But with more than 110 countries around the world open to all travelers regardless of vaccination status and without any additional restrictions, there’s a good chance that the ports of call on your cruise will not have any travel restrictions either.
“Health and safety are always our first priority. Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return,” said Harry Sommer, the president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line.
This much-anticipated removal of restrictions will allow all travelers to return to cruising regardless of vaccination status.
Where Does Norwegian Cruise Line Sail?
Norwegian Cruise Line is an American cruise line that is headquartered in Miami. As the third-largest cruise line in the world, Norwegian sails all around the globe, with hundreds of itineraries year-round.
Some of the most popular destinations for Norwegian cruises include:
- Cruises to the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Mexico
- Alaskan cruises
- European cruises in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Greek isles
- Northern European cruises
- Cruises to Canada and New England
- Transatlantic cruises
- Cruises to Central and South America
Norwegian is known for offering Free at Sea cruise deals, which allow passengers to score perks like free airfare, free unlimited open bar, free dining, free shore excursions, free onboard WiFi, and more.
Other Cruise Lines Dropping Restrictions
Norwegian Cruise Line is the first major cruise line to completely do away with all travel restrictions, including COVID-19 testing, masking, and vaccinations. However, other cruise lines have been dropping restrictions in recent months.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean welcomes vaccinated and unvaccinated guests, but unvaccinated guests must provide a negative COVID-19 test. All guests are subject to testing for sailings of 10 nights or longer.
Carnival
Carnival also allows unvaccinated guests, but they must provide a pre-departure negative test result. All guests are subject to testing on voyages 16 nights or longer and for cruises visiting certain destinations.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises also welcomes unvaccinated guests, but only for sailings from the U.S. and Europe, and they still must provide a negative test result prior to sailing.
Holland America Line
Yet another cruise line that has dropped vaccination requirements is Holland America Line, but unvaccinated travelers are still required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before departure. All guests must also submit to testing on cruises 16 days or longer.
MSC, Princess Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line have also dropped their vaccination requirements but still require testing for unvaccinated passengers.
What Does This Mean for Travelers?
Norwegian Cruise Line dropping all restrictions, including vaccinations and testing, means that cruising on NCL is now accessible to everyone again.
However, it’s important to research the destinations your cruise will be visiting because Norwegian must still adhere to local restrictions, which may require vaccines or testing.
Norwegian offers a list of travel requirements by country so you can be prepared before you go and understand the requirements of the destinations you are visiting. Currently, many destinations in Europe and the Caribbean have no travel restrictions, while other regions of the world are slowly opening up too.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Atlas
Tuesday 11th of October 2022
Finally! I can't wait to cruise again.