Covid 19 Travel Updates

MSC Cruise Lines Update

September 3, 2021

Dear Valued Partner,

This is an important update from MSC Cruises regarding a recent update from the CDC which shortens the length of time allowed for pre-cruise Covid-19 testing for fully vaccinated guests from 3 days to 2 days before arriving at the terminal for embarkation.

Please see our full Health & Safety Guidelines here: www.msccruisesusa.com/health-and-safety-measures

Please Be Reminded:
We are now requiring all guests age 12 and older to be fully vaccinated on cruises departing Sep. 3 through & including Oct. 31 in accordance with updated Health and Safety Protocols from The Bahamas. All fully vaccinated guests, 12 years and older, must show their original CDC vaccination card at embarkation. Copies and pictures will not be accepted. All guests 2 years and older, are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test at the pier. Tests must be taken no more than 2 days prior to departure (for fully vaccinated guests) or 3 days prior to departure (for not fully vaccinated guests) and the guest is responsible for the cost.

All fully vaccinated guests (12 years and older) must provide: a Negative RT-PCR or Negative NAAT or Negative antigen test taken no more than 2 days prior to departure.

Guests that are not fully vaccinated (ages 2-11) must provide: a Negative RT-PCR or Negative NAAT test taken no more than 3 days prior to departure (antigen test will not be accepted for not fully vaccinated guests).

Telehealth self-tests taken at home will be accepted for fully vaccinated guests provided the following requirements are met:

  • The test must have Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. FDA.
  • The self-test process must happen under live supervision on a video call with a telehealth representative.
  • The telehealth provider must issue a result document that includes all the necessary information.
  • An example of one test that meets these parameters is the supervised Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag Card Test available through the Abbott Navica app or eMed.com. Note that this test kit must be shipped to the home in most cases and may take up to 5 business days to arrive (in the U.S.) after the order is placed.

Thank you for choosing MSC Cruises and for your cooperation with Health and Safety updates. We look forward to welcoming your clients on board.

Sincerely,
MSC Cruises USA

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

 
Dear valued Travel Partners,
As partners, Royal Caribbean is committed to sharing the latest health and safety protocol updates with you as new information becomes available. We understand that this ever-changing environment is not always easy, and because of that, the Healthy Cruising Hub located on CruisingPower.com was designed with you in mind – in hopes of simplifying our protocols and answering your clients’ questions.  
Effective September 13, 2021, the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) states that pre-cruise COVID-19 testing requirements are as follows:
  • Vaccinated guests must present a negative PCR or Antigen test result taken no more than 2 days prior to sailing in order to board. (Previously, it was 3 days prior.) To assist in meeting this requirement, your clients can soon take advantage of our new, easy and convenient at-home test!  Additional information is shared below.
  • Unvaccinated children ages 2 to 11 must present a negative PCR test result taken no more than 3 days prior to sailing in order to board. (Antigen tests are no longer accepted.) 
  • There continues to be no testing required for guests under age 2.

Test results must be issued by an accredited test provider and show a laboratory negative result which can be printed or shown via a phone. Costs associated with this test continue to be the guest’s responsibility. To help guide your clients through the accepted test options, visit RoyalCaribbean.com/Test to learn more.

Beginning Wednesday, September 8, 2021, fully vaccinated guests can order at-home test kits, shipped right to their door (anywhere in the U.S.) in two business days or less. Complete this pre-cruise test at home, with live video supervision by a Certified Guide and get results in 15 minutes.
Your clients can visit RoyalCaribbean.com/HomeTestKit to place their order.

The remainder of our health and safety protocols remain unchanged. Should you or your clients need further clarification about these protocols or have any concerns about sailing as a result of them, please contact us.

We appreciate your continued partnership! 

 Carnival Cruise Line Update

 

CANCELLATION UPDATE
CARNIVAL CONQUEST – OCT. 8 THROUGH AND INCLUDING DEC. 10, 2021
CARNIVAL SENSATION – OCT. 21 THROUGH AND INCLUDING DEC. 31, 2021
CARNIVAL LIBERTY, SUNSHINE, PARADISE, AND ECSTASY – NOV. 1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING DEC. 31, 2021</b></div>

September 2, 2021

Dear Travel Advisor Partner:

We are providing our guests with an update on their upcoming cruise.  If we have an email address on file for your clients, we are sending the attached communication directly to them.  To ensure they receive this important information, please share this with clients whose booking numbers are referenced below.

As we have done throughout this challenging time in our industry, we are protecting the commission on all bookings paid in full. Travel agent commissions are protected on the original fully paid booking cancelled by Carnival and on the final fully paid rebooking when a future cruise credit (FCC) is redeemed on an active sailing.

Thank you for your assistance and ongoing support
September 2, 2021

Dear Travel Advisor Partner:

We are providing our guests with an update on their upcoming cruise.  If we have an email address on file for your clients, we are sending the attached communication directly to them.  To ensure they receive this important information, please share this with clients whose booking numbers are referenced below.

As we have done throughout this challenging time in our industry, we are protecting the commission on all bookings paid in full. Travel agent commissions are protected on the original fully paid booking cancelled by Carnival and on the final fully paid rebooking when a future cruise credit (FCC) is redeemed on an active sailing.

Thank you for your assistance and ongoing support.
CANCELLATION UPDATE
CARNIVAL CONQUEST – OCT. 8 THROUGH AND INCLUDING DEC. 10, 2021
CARNIVAL SENSATION – OCT. 21 THROUGH AND INCLUDING DEC. 31, 2021
CARNIVAL LIBERTY, SUNSHINE, PARADISE, AND ECSTASY – NOV. 1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING DEC. 31, 2021
September 2, 2021

Dear Carnival Guest:

With the expectation that a total of 13 ships will be sailing with guests by the end of October, and more starting in November and December, we are making good progress returning our fleet to guest operations.  However, we must continue to take a phased approach as we staff ships, train our crew on new operating protocols, manage supply chain issues for goods and services, and work with home ports and destinations on issues related to the resumption of service.  As a result, we have determined that the time is not right for us to resume the above referenced sailings.  Consequently, your cruise has been cancelled and we sincerely apologize for the disappointment.

If you have yet to receive our bonus incentive package, you are eligible for our future cruise credit (FCC) and onboard credit (OBC) as noted below, or a full refund.  If you already received this offer and have yet to use it, or it was applied to this booking, you can retain it for a future booking consistent with the terms below.

We have fully automated your ability to make your choice online without having to call us. No matter how you purchased your cruise, you can submit your request via our online tool to allow for faster processing. However, if you’re working with a Carnival Personal Vacation Planner or a travel advisor, they may also be able to help answer your questions and explore options.

Please make your selection using our online tool .

 

If you purchased your own flights for getting to your cruise, we encourage you to contact your airline or travel agent about your options as the airlines are also working to accommodate their passengers.

Thank you for your continued understanding and support.  We look forward to seeing you on board!