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Cruise Ship Travel During COVID-19

Cruise Ship Travel During COVID-19
Updated Nov. 3, 2022
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What You Need to Know

  • Protect yourself and others from COVID-19
    • Get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before cruise ship travel.
    • Check directly with your cruise line about their COVID-19 testing or vaccination protocols before travel.
    • If your cruise line does not have a specific testing requirement, get tested as close to time of cruise departure as possible (no more than 3 days before you travel).
    • Get tested again after cruise travel.
  • The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships. If the virus is spreading on board a cruise ship, passengers and crew are at risk for infection.

Before Cruise Travel

Plan ahead

  • Get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before travel.
    • Find out when you can get your booster and where to get a vaccine or booster.
    • COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting people—especially those who are up to date—from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying.
  • If you have a weakened immune system, or are at increased risk for severe disease, or are traveling with someone who has these risk factors, take multiple prevention steps to provide additional layers of protection from COVID-19 even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.
    • Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk before travel and consider delaying travel if advised. Even if you are up to date, you should know what precautions to take.
    • Check if your cruise line requires proof of vaccination or pre-embarkation testing, or has any other requirements to board.
  • If traveling by air before or after cruise travel, check if your airline or destination (see here for U.S. requirement) has testing, mask wearing, proof of vaccination, or quarantine requirements.
  • Consider getting travel insurance. Consider buying additional insurance that covers health care and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas. Make sure you have a plan to get care overseas, in case you need it.

Pre-embarkation Testing

  • If your cruise line does not have a specific testing requirement, get tested for current infection with a viral test (no more than 3 days) before boarding a cruise ship.
    • Make sure you get your test results before you board your cruise.
      • Don’t travel if your test result is positive.
    • If you already had COVID-19 within the past 90 days, see specific testing recommendations.
  • If you or your travel companions have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive at embarkation, the cruise ship may deny you from boarding. If you are allowed to board, you may be required to isolate or take other precautions, depending on your symptoms and test results.
Can I travel or board a cruise ship if…?

I am sick with COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days.

I am sick with COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days.

I was exposed to a person with COVID-19 in the past 10 days.

I was exposed to a person with COVID-19 in the past 10 days.

  • Follow CDC guidance, including getting tested at least 5 full days after your last exposure.
  • Do not travel on public transportation such as airplanes, buses, and trains if you will not be able to wear a high-quality mask or respirator when around others indoors for the full duration of your trip.
  • If you travel, wear a high-quality mask or respirator the entire time you are around others indoors.
  • Check with your cruise line regarding their policies.
  • Follow CDC guidance, including getting tested at least 5 full days after your last exposure.
  • Do not travel on public transportation such as airplanes, buses, and trains if you will not be able to wear a high-quality mask or respirator when around others indoors for the full duration of your trip.
  • If you travel, wear a high-quality mask or respirator the entire time you are around others indoors.
  • Check with your cruise line regarding their policies.
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During Cruise Travel

Protect Yourself and Others

If You Develop Symptoms or Use a Self-Test on Board with a Positive Result

  • Isolate yourself in your cabin immediately.
  • Call your ship’s medical center.

Cruise ships may have their own requirements for testing, isolation, mask wearing, and dining for people with COVID-19 or their close contacts. If you have questions about a cruise ship’s specific policies, please contact them directly.

  • When you disembark, follow CDC’s guidance, or local guidance if you disembark in another country.
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After Cruise Travel

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Frequently Asked Questions

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