February 22, 2022
(Updated 3:56 p.m. EST) -- Several cruise lines have updated their vaccine policies to require passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and protected with booster shots as the omicron variant continues to spread throughout the globe.
Cunard became the first cruise line to do so in December 2021, stating in letter to booked passengers posted to Cruise Critic's message boards that all passengers intending to embark on Queen Mary 2's January 14, 2022 voyage will need to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19, along with proof of a third-dose booster shot given at least one week prior to embarkation
"In order to travel on your voyage, all guests must be fully vaccinated with a booster vaccination at least seven days prior to travel," states the letter.
"The definition of "fully vaccinated" being having completed an approved two dose Covid-19 vaccination course with a third booster vaccination (approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) or the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL)), or the approved single dose Janssen Covid-19 vaccine with a booster.
"A single or double dose of any other vaccine will not be accepted."
Since then, other cruise lines have also begun to slowly make boosters against COVID-19 mandatory for all eligible passengers. With the exception of Cunard and UK cruising powerhouse P&O Cruises, most lines are smaller luxury lines or small-ship adventure and river cruise operators.
Other major lines -- including Carnival, Disney, Holland America Line, Princess, and Royal Caribbean -- recommend passengers who can obtain their booster shots do so, but have so far stopped short of actually requiring them as a condition of sailing.
Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Booster Shots?
More lines have begun rolling out requriements for mandatory booster shots to protect against COVID-19 as the omicron variant continues to complicate travel across the globe.
Here is a rundown of which cruise lines currently require COVID-19 booster shots:
Azamara: As of March 1, 2022
Cunard Line: As of January 14, 2022
Grand Circle: As of April 2022
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: As of February 15, 2022
Lindblad Expditions: As of March 1, 2022
P&O Cruises: Caribbean voyages as of January 3, 2022
Sea Cloud Cruises: As of April 2022
Silversea Cruises: March 1, 2022
TUI: As of February 23, 2022
UnCruise Adventures: As of February 5, 2022
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
