Cruise Lines Opt-In to CDC’s Voluntary COVID-19 Program

On February 9, 2022, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced a voluntary COVID-19 program for cruise operators in U.S. waters. This guidance centers around a classification system defined by the CDC, which places cruise ships in specific categories based on the vaccination status of guests and crew. Based on a ship’s percentage of vaccinated guests, the CDC suggests pre-cruise testing requirements, onboard mask-wearing, and social distancing options.

The organization requested each cruise line operator sailing in U.S. waters to respond by February 18, 2022, if they will opt-in to these voluntary guidelines. Accordingly, the following are the status and response (if available) by each cruise line to the CDC’s program: 

Azamara - CDC dashboard denotes Azamara cruise ships have opted into the voluntary program.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line - CDC dashboard denotes Bahamas Paradise Crusie Line has opted a ship into the voluntary program. 

Carnival Cruise Line - ​​Carnival confirmed its participation in the CDC program and is advising guests of the following changes: 

• Effective with cruises departing on or after Mar. 1, masks will be recommended but not required. However, there may be specific venues and events where masks will be required. 
• Carnival will continue to meet the standard of vaccinated cruises and will not include children under five years old in any vaccinated guest calculation. As such, children will not need to receive an exemption to sail. 
• Effective with cruises departing Mar. 1, some additional flexibility in pre-cruise testing requirements will become available.

Celebrity Cruises - CDC dashboard denotes Celebrity ships have opted into the voluntary program. 

Disney Cruise Line - CDC dashboard denotes Disney Cruises ships have opted into the voluntary program. 

Holland America Line - Holland America confirmed participation in the CDC’s voluntary program. The line says it “will continue to operate vaccinated cruises, with two key changes to onboard protocols for guests beginning March 1: Masks on board will be recommended but not required; however, there may be certain venues and events in which masks may be required. In addition, flexibility for pre-cruising testing requirements will become available.” 

MSC Cruises - CDC dashboard denotes MSC Cruises ships have opted into the voluntary program.

Norwegian Cruise Line - CDC dashboard denotes Norwegian Cruise Line ships have opted into the voluntary program. 

Oceania Cruises - CDC dashboard denotes Oceania ships have opted into the voluntary program. 

Princess Cruises - Princess confirmed it would participate in the CDC program. The line shared the following, “Princess confirms that it is participating in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated program for cruise ships operating in U.S. waters through March 31.”  The line is advising guests of the following changes:

• Effective with cruises departing Mar. 1, masks on board will be recommended but not required. Additionally, there may be specific venues and events with required masks.
• Additional flexibility for pre-cruising testing requirements will become available. 
• Princess will continue to meet the standard of vaccinated cruises.

Regent Seven Seas - CDC dashboard denotes Regent Seven Seas ships have opted into the voluntary program. 

Royal Caribbean International - The line shared the following statement of its joining the CDC program, “Royal Caribbean International will participate in the U.S. CDC's voluntary COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships Operating in U.S. waters, beginning with sailings departing on or after February 25th, 2022 from the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). We will be operating under the Highly Vaccinated category defined by the CDC. To be considered Highly Vaccinated, requirements include sailing with 95% of crew members fully vaccinated, which we already meet with 100% of our crew. And, 95% of guests eligible for the vaccine must be fully vaccinated. In addition, the updated protocols will include face masks being optional for all fully vaccinated guests and expected for unvaccinated children.” 

Seabourn - Seabourn will participate in the CDC program. The line released the following statement, “Seabourn, the ultra-luxury ocean and expedition cruise line, has confirmed today that it will opt-in to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated program for cruise ships operating in U.S. waters.” The line will continue to operate vaccinated cruises, with two changes for guests effective on March 1:

• Masks on board will be recommended but not required. However, there may be certain venues and events where masks will still be required.
• Additional flexibility for pre-cruising testing requirements will become available. 

SeaDream Yacht Club - CDC dashboard denotes SeaDream ships have opted into the voluntary program. 

Silverseas Cruises - CDC dashboard denotes Silverseas ships have opted into the voluntary program. 

Viking Cruises - CDC dashboard denotes Viking ships have opted into the voluntary program. 

Virgin Voyages - CDC dashboard denotes Virgin Voyages ships have opted into the voluntary program. 

112 total cruise ships have opted into the program. By February 22, 2022, if cruise lines have not informed the CDC of their decision to participate in the program, their ships will automatically be designated as “grey” on the CDC dashboard, indicating they are not participating. 

Explore up-to-date color status from all cruise lines on the CDC dashboard here. 

Latest Update: Feb. 23, 2022. We will continue to update this list as cruise lines share more information regarding program updates and protocols.