COVID-19 FAQS - VACCINATED VOYAGES
VACCINES & TESTING
What COVID-19 vaccine types are accepted?
We only accept vaccines that are approved or authorized for emergency use by the U.S. FDA, or the World Health Organization, or the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Some countries and regions on the itinerary may only accept vaccines approved by their regulatory agencies.
Currently approved or authorized vaccine types:
COVID-19 Vaccination Manufacturer
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Also known as:
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Pfizer: 2 Doses
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Comirnaty / BioNTech
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Moderna: 2 Doses
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Spikevax
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Johnson & Johnson: 1 Dose
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Janssen
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AstraZeneca: 2 Doses
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Covishield / Vaxzevria
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Sinopharm: 2 Doses
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Vero Cell
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Sinovac: 2 Doses
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CoronaVac
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Covaxin: 2 Doses
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Novavax: 2 Doses
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Covovax / Nuvaxovid
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Exceptions to the above may apply to itineraries that sail to ports where certain vaccine combinations are not accepted.
For updated authorized vaccine information, refer to:
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authorized U.S. FDA vaccines
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authorized World Health Organization vaccines
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authorized European Medicines Agency vaccines
Are mixed vaccines types accepted?
We accept mixed vaccines types only if at least 2 doses of an authorized vaccine were administered at least 28 days apart, with the last dose given at least 14 days before the sailing date. For example: Pfizer (1 Dose) + Moderna; AstraZeneca (1 dose) + Pfizer (1Dose) OR Moderna (1 Dose).
What is considered fully vaccinated?
A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the last dose in their primary vaccine series. On embarkation day, a minimum of 15 days must have passed since receiving the final dose in a vaccine series. Some destinations define a fully vaccinated guests as someone who has received their booster dose, if eligible.
What is considered "up to date" relative to COVID vaccines?
Up to date means a guest has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, including any booster dose, if eligible. If a guest is fully vaccinated and not yet eligible for a booster, the guest is also considered up to date. Fully vaccinated guests are encouraged to visit the CDC's website
to determine when they are eligible for a booster.
Are guests required to be boosted on any of your sailings?
Boosters may be required for specific voyages based on duration and destination requirements. The following voyages require fully vaccinated guests who are 12 years and older and more than 6 months past the last dose of their initial vaccine series to have one booster dose in order to travel.
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Carnival Pride® and Carnival Celebration™ Europe - All 2022 sailings
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Carnival Splendor® 23-day Carnival Journey (Transpacific) - September 6, 2022
What kind of proof of vaccination will Carnival accept?
Guests may present an original vaccination document issued by the country's health authority or healthcare provider that administered the vaccination, (i.e., CDC Vaccination Record Card). No photocopies or pictures of the document are acceptable.
A digital COVID-19 Certificate (QR), a record of COVID-19 vaccination from a healthcare provider (original digital email), or a personal electronic health record or government Immunization Information System record is also acceptable.
The name and date of birth on the vaccination card must match the guest's travel documents, and show the guest is fully vaccinated (and boosted when required). Vaccination type, dates and lot numbers must be clearly visible.
What happens if I am a few days short of completing my second dose within 14 days of sailing?
Unfortunately, guests will not be able to sail unless they are fully vaccinated and received their final dose of the vaccine no later than 14 days prior to the sailing date (not including embarkation day). Guests are encouraged to review their vaccination record prior to their cruise and confirm they meet this important requirement. Any one denied boarding for not meeting our requirements will not be allowed to sail and no refund will be provided.
Are fully vaccinated guests required to take a pre-travel COVID-19 test?
Yes. Testing requirements for vaccinated guests can be found here.
What kind of pre-cruise COVID-19 tests are acceptable?
Guests must be tested with a COVID-19 viral test that is either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT).
Antigen tests include (acceptable for fully vaccinated guests only):
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Rapid antigen test
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Viral antigen test
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Antigen Chromatographic Digital Immunoassay
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Antigen Chemiluminescence Immunoassay, or
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Antigen Lateral Flow Fluorescence
NAAT include (acceptable for vaccinated and unvaccinated guests):
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PCR - Polymerase chain reaction
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RT-PCR - reverse transcription real time PCR
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Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
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Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) test
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Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) test
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Molecular test or molecular diagnostic test
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Isothermal amplification
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Droplet Digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)
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Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)
A rapid antigen or rapid PCR test is acceptable (of the test types listed above).
Where can I get a COVID-19 test?
For select sailings departing through July 31, 2022, a limited number of antigen tests for vaccinated guests will be available at the cruise terminal on the day of sailing. Advance reservations are required, and availability is on a capacity-controlled basis. A non-refundable payment of US$100 per person will be collected by the testing provider at the time the reservation is made (major credit cards and debit cards accepted).
Guests who schedule their test for the day of sailing must still arrive at their arrival appointment. To make a reservation, please use the link designated below for your departure port.
Embarkation Port
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Reservation Link
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Baltimore, Galveston, Long Beach, Mobile, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco and Seattle
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Reserve here
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Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa
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Reserve here
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Since capacity is limited, we kindly ask this option be used only by those guests who have been unsuccessful in making other testing arrangements.
Additionally, guests may schedule testing with Quest Diagnostics at more than 1,500 locations, including Quest Diagnostics patient service centers and select Walmart and other retail pharmacy locations throughout the U.S. Appointments are required and may be scheduled online via Quest Diagnostic's website
. Results are typically available within 48 hours via email or mobile application but Quest advises that turnaround time can fluctuate with demand, supplies and other factors, and vary by region. As with any laboratory provider, pricing for COVID-19 testing services may vary. Guests may qualify for testing at no cost to them through their insurance or the government. We urge guests to check with their health plan or the laboratory provider to see if they are eligible before scheduling a test.
Guests may also contact their nearest health center, pharmacy, state health department, or transiting airport to learn more about their availability for COVID-19 testing.
Is a self-test acceptable?
Fully vaccinated guests may consider using self-administered telehealth COVID-19 tests, which have been approved by the CDC to satisfy the pre-cruise testing requirement. The test must be a COVID-19 viral test (NAAT or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The self-test process must happen under live supervision on a video call with a telehealth representative who must confirm the person's identity, observe the specimen collection and testing procedures, confirm the test result, and issue a report that meets the requirements of acceptable proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The telehealth provider must issue a result document that includes all the necessary information which must be presented at the time of check-in. Fully vaccinated guests may consider using one of the following self-administered telehealth viral antigen tests:
Abbott BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test
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Test kits ship to all 50 states and arrive at your door in three business days or less. Order now.
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Radeas Inspire Diagnostics At-Home Health Test
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Test kits ship to all 50 states and free 5-7 business day shipping is available (expedited shipping can be purchased at checkout). Order now.
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What kind of proof of testing will Carnival accept?
A laboratory test record, digital certificate and healthcare record that show first and last name, date of birth, type of test (NAAT or antigen), date and time the sample was taken, test result as either “NEGATIVE” or “NOT DETECTED,” laboratory/testing site or healthcare provider details. Handwritten test results are not acceptable.
If there is doubt as to the authenticity or validity of the test, and the testing facility or healthcare provider is not able to be contacted for verification purposes, embarkation may be denied.
Do I need to send you my vaccine card and test results in advance?
We encourage vaccinated guests to use VeriFLY, a secure, free digital health application that allows them the ability to easily upload required pre-embarkation information, like their vaccine attestation, proof of vaccination, negative COVID-19 test results, and their health assessment. Completing these tasks before check-in will make embarkation a faster and more seamless experience. Unvaccinated guests or vaccinated guests who are unable to complete the VeriFLY process must present the required COVID-19 documentation at the time of check-in.
What happens if I test positive for COVID-19 at embarkation?
Any guest who tests positive at embarkation, and their traveling companions in the same stateroom along with other close contacts, will not be able to cruise and will be provided a future cruise credit. (A close contact is any individual who has been within 6 feet of an infected/symptomatic person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period within 10 days prior to sailing.)
If a guest traveled by air to join their cruise, and tests positive at embarkation, they and their close contacts will be unable to return home by public transport and may be required to quarantine before traveling home. While Carnival will help make quarantine arrangements, all guests are responsible for expenses associated with quarantine.
I am booked on back-to-back cruises. Will I be tested in between voyages?
Unvaccinated guests will be tested on board in between voyages. From time to time, vaccinated guests may be tested in between voyages.
Back-to-back guests traveling on another Carnival Cruise Line ship within one day of disembarking their first voyage should inform onboard Guest Services in advance so they can receive the required pre-travel COVID-19 test before they disembark. Guests must present their negative test results upon arrival at the cruise terminal for their next voyage.
Back-to-back guests traveling on another Carnival Cruise Line ship within 2-7 days of when they disembark their first voyage should present proof of their previous cruise to the health screening staff at check-in so they can receive the required pre-travel COVID-19 test at the cruise terminal.
The test will be offered on a complimentary basis to vaccinated guests and included in the US$60 (for guests ages 5-11) and $150 (for guests age 12 and older) testing and reporting fee assessed to unvaccinated guests.
What if I forget my vaccination card or test results?
Unfortunately, guests who are unable to provide the required proof of vaccination or negative PCR/antigen test
results will not be able to board and will not receive a refund.
Will the crew be vaccinated?
Yes, our crew is fully vaccinated and receiving booster shots when eligible.
VACCINE EXEMPTIONS
How far out are you accepting vaccine exemption requests?
The process is currently open for sailings through December 31, 2022. Guests will be notified when this period is extended.
Since vaccines have been approved for children, are you requiring them for kids of ages 5-11?
Vaccines are not required for children ages 5-11. However, given the limited number of vaccine exemptions we are able to grant, we encourage families to consider their vaccine options if they want to guarantee their ability to sail together.
If my child is under 5, do I need to request a vaccine exemption?
Children under 5 do not need a vaccine exemption. However, they are still expected to follow our COVID protocols i.e., pre-cruise and embarkation day testing, and destination and camp restrictions, etc. Please read full details at our COVID-19 Guest Protocols page.
When will I know if my vaccine exemption request was approved?
Requests are typically processed within 90 days, after the booking is paid in full, in sailing date order, and once we have finalized the estimated vaccinated guest count.
What happens to my non-refundable air if my vaccine exemption request is not approved?
Unfortunately, we cannot assist with expenses related to a denied exemption request, and guests assume all risks related to non-refundable travel costs (i.e., air fare, hotel).
Do vaccination exemptions apply for individuals recently recovered from COVID-19?
Guests sailing on vaccinated cruises are required to be fully vaccinated. A Document of Recovery from COVID-19 or blood antibody tests do not replace a primary vaccination series.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Do unvaccinated guests need to purchase travel insurance in order to
cruise with Carnival?
Yes, if sailing on a ship departing from Florida, Texas, South Carolina or Virginia. Guests must show proof of travel insurance coverage during check-in. This requirement is currently being waived for children under 12. Not having the required proof of insurance will result in denied boarding and no refund will be provided.
HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE & SCREENING
What happens if I have a positive COVID-19 test within 10 days of
sailing?
Please do not go to the cruise terminal if you tested positive within 10 days of sailing. Call 1-800-314-9859 to cancel your cruise within 24 hours of receiving your positive test result. You will receive a future cruise credit. For more information on symptoms of COVID-19, please visit the CDC's website
.
If I forget to complete the online health questionnaire, can I complete
it at check-in?
Yes, you can complete it at the time of check-in.
What happens if I have symptoms for a non-COVID illness?
If you have been treated for a non-COVID illness within the last 14 days, please bring a note from your doctor to the cruise terminal along with your required pre-travel COVID-19 test. The note should include a specific diagnosis and any test results obtained. At the terminal, you will be seen by our medical team and they will determine if you are permitted to sail. Your doctor's note should not contain vague diagnoses such as “viral syndrome” and “cough” as they do not help us determine your risk for having COVID-19.
Do I need to obtain a Travel Authorization or complete a health questionnaire for any destination?
Guests visiting certain destinations are required to obtain a Travel Authorization or complete a health questionnaire prior to visiting the said destinations. For a list of destinations, please read full details at our COVID-19 Guest Protocols page.
EMBARKATION/BOARDING
Do Platinum and Diamond guests receive priority boarding and early access to their staterooms?
Given our focus on the implementation of our health and safety protocols, we have adjusted how we deliver priority check-in. All guests will need to complete Online Check-In, which will open 14 days prior to sailing. Platinum and Diamond guests will be given two days advance access to select their preferred Arrival Appointment. It is important that guests arrive on a timely basis as early arrivals cannot be accommodated and will be asked to return at their assigned time. Due to enhanced cleaning and sanitation, staterooms may not be ready at the time of boarding for the early Arrival Appointments.
If I miss the ship at the home port, will I be able to join at the first
port of call?
Guests who miss the ship at the home port will not be able to join at the first port and no compensation will be
provided.
How are you handling the safety drill?
All guests must participate in a mandatory self-muster process. This means that as soon as they get on the ship, they should locate their muster station (it's on their boarding pass and on the Carnival HUB App) and find their way there to check-in with our team. We will provide a demonstration on how to wear a life jacket. Afterwards, they should watch our safety briefing which will play on the in-stateroom TV.
QUARANTINE
What happens if I show symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive at
embarkation or during the cruise?
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If guests traveled by air to join their cruise and test positive at embarkation and are not able to cruise - or test positive during the cruise - they and their close contacts may be required to quarantine before traveling home.
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In the event guests are in close contact with or exposed to anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, or display any symptoms for a COVID-like illness during the cruise, they and their close contacts will be required to undergo additional testing and may be required to quarantine in their stateroom until our medical team determines it is safe for them to resume their cruise activities.
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Guests who are quarantined on board will receive a pro-rated future cruise credit equal to the number of days in quarantine.
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For guests who must quarantine locally, Carnival will help make quarantine arrangements; however, all related expenses will be the guests' responsibility.
ONBOARD EXPERIENCES
Although I don't gamble, will I still be able to watch others play in the casino?
The casino will be limited to guests who are actively playing and their companions only.
Are there any activities and events that won't be offered?
Most of our usual fun activities and events will be offered. However, the following events will be temporarily
not available: Seuss-a-palooza™ Parade, Seuss-a-palooza™ Story Time, Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast,
Photo Time! With Dr. Seuss®, Towel Animal Theater and Behind the Fun Tour.
Will my kids be able to participate in the youth program on board?
Carnival Youth Programs are open for children and teens ages 5 to 17. We look forward to resuming our full children's program in the future. In the meantime, we are unable to accept children under five years old.
What if I don't want my stateroom to be serviced?
All staterooms will be serviced once daily. However, you may opt out of the daily stateroom service by informing your stateroom attendant.
What happens if I am asked to isolate on board?
Guests who test positive for COVID-19 will move to isolation staterooms that are closer to the Medical Center and will enjoy complimentary amenities like Wi-Fi and room service, along with regular visits or tele-consultations with medical staff to monitor their wellness. Guests will receive a pro-rated future cruise credit equal to the number of days in isolation.
How have you improved your medical center?
Our medical center facilities have been enhanced and protocols improved to provide the necessary care for any COVID-19 related cases that may arise. When necessary, medical appointments will be scheduled virtually or in your stateroom. In the event we have suspected cases of COVID-19, we will be able to isolate, test and treat patients and will coordinate assistance with our group of health experts and relevant public health authorities.
Have you improved your indoor ventilation systems?
Indoor ventilation systems have been enhanced to provide frequent exchanges of fresh ocean air and modified for
greater particle filtration.
GOING ASHORE
What happens if the ship misses a port of call?
If we miss any or multiple ports of call, our team will do all possible to find replacement ports. If secured, guests will receive a refund if there is any overage between the taxes, fees and port expenses of the cancelled and the replacement ports. In the event we are unable to secure replacement port(s), the taxes, fees and port expenses will be refunded to the guest's Sail & Sign® account. Additionally, any pre-purchased Carnival shore excursions for the cancelled port(s) will be automatically refunded to the guest's onboard account. Should there be additional sea days, our entertainment team will be ready to make your time on board fun and memorable.
GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES
If I require oxygen and/or dialysis during my cruise, may I still
travel?
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept guests who use oxygen or depend on hemodialysis on sailings scheduled to depart through September 30, 2022. Our medical experts have determined, that for the guest's own safety, this is the right decision.
We remain optimistic that our approach on future sailings will become more flexible.