One part of travel that has not changed as a result of a global pandemic: the need to be prepared to travel. In the past that meant having and using a good packing list, checking and rechecking reservations and keeping our eyes open along the way among other nice to do but not required topics. In reality, we could simply show up at the pier with nothing but a booking number, credit card plus proof of who we are and we could board the ship. That was just a couple years ago and the result of focused efforts by cruise lines to make the process as easy as possible. That was then, this is now. Today, a great many more boxes must be checked to even enter the cruise terminal, let alone board the ship as the new normal resolves. Consider these big ship protocols required by Carnival Cruise Line:

HAVE FUN. BE SAFE. COVID-19 GUEST PROTOCOLS (UPDATED JANUARY 25, 2022)

Our dedication to the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit is reflected in our Have Fun. Be Safe. protocols and procedures, which were developed in consultation with our medical experts and have proven very effective during our restart and adaptable to the evolving public health situation.

Until further notice, we will continue to operate vaccinated cruises with our enhanced protocols. All our operations will follow these guidelines so we can maintain the confidence of the destinations we visit and deliver on our itineraries and guest experience. As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we will adjust our protocols based on the advice of our medical and public health advisors.

Below are the measures currently planned for our vaccinated cruises:

BOOKING

All guests should carefully review pre-booking and pre-travel health advice on our website and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website .

PRE-BOARDING INFORMATION: In order to manage our vaccinated sailings, it is very important for all guests to complete their pre-cruise vaccine attestation. Guests are asked to update their profile on Carnival.com with their current contact information as we will be communicating through a series of emails. Please read all our correspondence and complete all requests for pre-boarding information. Failure to comply with pre-cruise information requests on a timely basis will result in cancellation.

VACCINATION & TESTING STANDARDS

Fully Vaccinated Guests

Vaccinated cruises are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the sailing day (not counting embarkation day) and have proof of vaccination.

Additionally, the CDC has strongly recommended that individuals obtain a COVID-19 booster vaccination, when eligible. Should the CDC definition of fully vaccinated evolve to require the booster shot, our policy will adapt accordingly. It is also always possible that certain destinations could define a fully vaccinated guest as one who is current with a booster shot. Consequently, we also strongly encourage all guests who are eligible to get their booster vaccine at least seven days before boarding as this may become a condition for travel without prior notice. Please review the updated CDC recommendations on the CDC’s website .

The CDC requires pre-cruise testing for vaccinated guests, ages 2 and older, to be taken within two days prior to the sailing date. If the sailing is on Saturday, the test may be taken on Thursday and Friday, and as late as Saturday, if you are guaranteed to receive your results in time for check-in. On certain sailings, guests should be prepared for the possibility of an additional COVID test prior to boarding, which will be provided in the terminal on a complimentary basis.

Guests should review their pre-cruise test results, i.e., a laboratory test record, digital certificate or healthcare record, and ensure it indicates their full legal name, date of birth, type of test, date and time sample was taken, test result stating “NEGATIVE” or “NOT DETECTED” and laboratory, testing site, and/or healthcare provider details. Handwritten test results are not acceptable. Please refer to our Return to Service FAQs for complete information on testing requirements and resources.

All guests traveling on back to back cruises, regardless of vaccination status, will need to be tested in between voyages. Sailings longer than 10 days may have additional onboard testing requirements.

Proof of vaccination, as follows, will be required at the terminal in advance of boarding:

• Original vaccination record issued by the country’s health authority (i.e., U.S. CDC’s Vaccination Record Card). A digital COVID-19 Certificate (QR code acceptable), a record of COVID-19 vaccination from a healthcare provider (original digital email accepted), and a personal electronic health record or government Immunization Information System record is also acceptable. Copies or photos are not accepted.
• The name and birth date on the vaccination record must match the guest’s travel documents.
• The vaccination dates must indicate the guest has completed the required doses no later than 14 days prior to the sailing date. This means that on embarkation day, a minimum of 15 days must have passed since the final dose was received. Vaccine type, dates administered, and lot numbers must be clearly visible.

We recommend guests have the contact information (email and phone) immediately available of the healthcare provider or clinic site that issued the certificate, in order to validate the vaccination if needed. A vaccination registry site may also be used.

Guests are strongly encouraged to review their vaccination records and ensure they meet our standards, as well as have proof of their negative COVID-19 test result, prior to traveling to the cruise terminal to prevent a situation where they may not be able to cruise or be eligible for a refund.

Unvaccinated Guests — Exemptions to Vaccination Standards

We will continue to manage an exemption process for a small number of guests who are ineligible for vaccines. Requirements for cruise ships to enter ports outside the U.S. continue to evolve and Carnival Cruise Line must operate in full compliance with these regulations.

Vaccine exemptions for cruises to the Caribbean will be limited to a very small number of children under 12, and teens and adults with a medical condition who can provide written confirmation from their medical provider that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. Our sailings from Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina, Alabama, New York and Virginia will operate under these criteria with the assumption that current restrictions imposed by destinations will remain in place.

Vaccine exemptions for ships departing from California, and for our Alaska and European voyages will be accepted for children under 12 and as required by U.S. federal law (in accommodation of medical reasons and sincerely held religious beliefs).

On round trip voyages of 10 days or longer, departing from and returning to North America, vaccine exemptions will only be accommodated as required by law and destination requirements.

The vaccine exemption process is currently open for sailings through December 31, 2022. Guests will be notified when we extend this period.

Vaccine exemptions are not guaranteed and are capacity-controlled based on the total number of vaccinated guests projected to be on board. The number of exemptions we are able to grant is far fewer than the requests we receive. While the decision to vaccinate children is obviously a personal one, if you are a family with children ages 5-11 and want to guarantee your ability to sail together, we encourage you to consider your vaccination options.

Unvaccinated guests granted an exemption must abide by certain requirements and protocols, which include:

Testing

• Guests ages 2 and older must present a negative PCR COVID-19 test, taken within 72 and 24 hours prior to the sailing date at check-in (for example, if the sailing is on Saturday, the test may be taken any time from Wednesday through Friday, but not on the morning of embarkation). As part of the health screening process, unvaccinated guests must also take an antigen test at embarkation, and test again within 24 hours of debarkation on all cruises longer than 4 days. All guests traveling on back to back cruises will need to be tested in between voyages. Sailings longer than 10 days may have additional onboard testing requirements. All unvaccinated guests will be assessed a US$150 per person charge on the guest’s onboard Sail & Sign account to cover the cost of testing, reporting and health and safety screenings. Guests should review their pre-cruise test results, i.e., a laboratory test record, digital certificate or healthcare record, and ensure it indicates their full legal name, date of birth, type of test, date and time sample was taken, test result stating “NEGATIVE” or “NOT DETECTED” and laboratory, testing site, and/or healthcare provider details. Handwritten test results are not acceptable. Please refer to our Return to Service FAQs for complete information on testing requirements and resources.

Travel Insurance Requirement — Florida, Texas, South Carolina and Virginia Based Ships

• Proof of travel insurance coverage for each unvaccinated guest is required at check-in. (See section below for full details on travel insurance requirements.)

Doctor’s Note — Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina, Alabama, Virginia and New York Based Ships

• If you received a vaccination exemption for medical reasons, a letter from a medical provider stating the guest cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons must be presented at check-in.

Shore Excursions and Destination Requirements

• Unvaccinated guests cannot go ashore in the ports of call on their own. Guests may only debark in the ports of call if booked on a Carnival-sponsored bubble tour. Carnival-approved bubble tours are excursions that operate in a controlled environment.
• In the event you choose not to purchase a bubble tour, bubble tours are sold out, or cancelled due to weather, unvaccinated guests will have to remain on board.
• If your cruise visits a private port of call, such as Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays, unvaccinated guests may go ashore on their own or purchase any of our tours.
• Guests participating in a bubble tour, regardless of vaccination status, must follow all tour protocols and local guidance regarding testing/screening, mask wearing, etc. Guests who do not comply with the controlled environment of a bubble tour will be removed from the tour.
• We cannot guarantee that additional restrictions will not be imposed by local authorities in the destinations we visit. Please review the destination requirements for unvaccinated guests in the ports of call listed below:
  • San Juan – Based on our agreement with the destination, guests will have to remain on board
  • Limón, Costa Rica – Guests will have to remain on board
  • Grand Turk – Guests ages 16 and older will have to remain on board
  • St. Kitts – Guests ages 12 and older will have to remain on board
  • Bonaire – Guests ages 12 and older will have to remain on board
  • Tortola – Guests ages 12 and older will have to remain on board

Requests will be processed after the booking is paid in full, in sailing date order, and once we have finalized the estimated vaccinated guest count. If you are an unvaccinated guest, your reservation is not considered confirmed unless you receive an approved exemption, which will be issued within 14 days of sailing. If we are unable to approve your request, you will have the option to cancel the unvaccinated guest(s) from a reservation, move to a future sailing date, or cancel with a full refund to the original form of payment. 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, etc.). Any unvaccinated guests whose exemptions are approved will be required to review and agree to all the restrictions and protocols prior to boarding the ship.If after reviewing all the protocols and requirements for unvaccinated guests and a vaccine exemption, you meet the criteria and wish to request an exemption, please submit an application.Unvaccinated guests are strongly encouraged to have their negative COVID-19 test result and all the necessary travel/COVID documentation prior to traveling to the cruise terminal, to prevent a situation where they may have to pay additional testing fees, not be able to cruise or be eligible for a refund.

TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIREMENT FOR UNVACCINATED GUESTS – FLORIDA, TEXAS, SOUTH CAROLINA & VIRGINIA BASED SHIPS*

• Unvaccinated guests sailing on a ship departing from these states must show proof of travel insurance coverage during check-in. This requirement is currently being waived for children under 12. However, parents are advised that purchasing travel insurance for their children is strongly recommended.
• Policy requirements: a minimum of US$10,000, per person, in medical expense coverage and US$30,000 coverage for emergency medical evacuation and without COVID-19 exclusions.
• The insurance policy must name the unvaccinated guest as the policy holder or beneficiary and may be purchased from a travel insurance company of the guest’s choosing or through Carnival Vacation Protection, which includes the required coverage.
• Carnival Vacation Protection is available for purchase until 14 days prior to sailing for guests residing in the U.S. (excluding New York and Puerto Rico), Canada (excluding Quebec), U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix) and American Samoa. (Note: your booking must be paid in U.S. currency.) Should you wish to purchase Carnival Vacation Protection, please call 1-800-CARNIVAL, your Personal Vacation Planner, or your travel advisor.
• Unvaccinated guests without the required proof of insurance will not be permitted to sail and no refund will be provided.

* Based on requirements of certain destinations. Some destination ports to which we sail are operated by Carnival affiliated entities under government concessions or licenses.

ENHANCED HEALTH SCREENINGS

All guests will be asked to complete an online health questionnaire 72 hours prior to sailing and undergo enhanced pre-embarkation health screenings, which will include confirmation of their health screening responses, validation of their vaccination documents and any required COVID-19 testing.

We will refer anyone with signs and symptoms of COVID-19, or who are identified at-risk, for additional medical screening before allowing them to board. Guests will be seen by our medical staff and boarding will be approved at their discretion. Secondary screenings (and health checks throughout the cruise) will be performed when necessary.

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 14 days prior to sailing.)

Quarantine

In addition to vaccinated cruises, we have implemented a comprehensive set of protocols with the best interests of the health and safety of our guests, crew and the destinations we serve as our number one priority. Even with our stringent, multi-layered protocols in place, there may be positive COVID-19 cases on board during your cruise. Our ships have medical centers with capabilities for diagnosis and testing and are equipped for contact tracing. Our crew is fully vaccinated, receives boosters when eligible and wears masks indoors at all times. Given our protocols, positive cases are far below what communities are experiencing shoreside. However, it is important that you are aware of the following information:

• 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.
• In the event guests are in close contact with or exposed to any guest or crew member 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. Guests who are quarantined on board will receive a pro-rated future cruise credit equal to the number of days in quarantine.
• For guests who must quarantine locally, Carnival will help make quarantine arrangements; however, all related expenses will be the guests’ responsibility.

MASKS & PHYSICAL DISTANCING

All guests, ages two and above, are required to wear masks at all times when indoors, except when eating or drinking or when in their own staterooms and when outdoors if in large gatherings and physical distancing cannot be maintained. As advised by health experts, guests are recommended to use higher-grade masks indoors (such as surgical or KN95) that have two or more layers, completely cover the nose and mouth, fit snugly against the sides of the face and have a nose wire.

All guests must wear masks during the entire embarkation and debarkation process (at the home port and ports of call, including the onboard pre-debarkation process), during any Carnival-approved shore excursions and while on any transportation vehicles, including water shuttles. Additionally, when going ashore, guests must be prepared to follow all local guidance regarding masks and physical distancing. The status of local guidelines will be shared with guests prior to debarkation at the destination.

Vaccinated guests are not required to maintain physical distance on board the ship.

It is recommended that unvaccinated guests maintain physical distancing as follows:

• Indoors – Remain at least 6 feet from others not in your cruise companion group. As such, we encourage you to take the stairs whenever possible, if you are able to do so.
• Outdoors – Remain at least 3 feet from others when not wearing a mask and not in your cruise companion group.

YOUTH PROGRAMS & SKY ZONE®

Camp Ocean™: Our Camp Ocean program is open on a modified basis only to fully vaccinated children ages 5-11.

Circle “C”® & CLUB O2®: Unvaccinated youth and teenagers will not be permitted to participate in supervised Circle “C” and CLUB O2 youth programs, or access Sky Zone® if cruising on Carnival Panorama®.

CASINO

• There is no smoking in the casino at all times.
• Guests must wear a facemask and “sip and cover” when drinking their beverage.
• Seats at gaming tables and slots are reserved for players only.
• The casino bar is open but is a no-smoking area.
• Smoking is not allowed anywhere on board during refueling.

SAFE SHORESIDE EXPERIENCES

Vaccinated guests may participate in Carnival-operated tours and independent sightseeing. Unvaccinated guests cannot go ashore in the ports of call on their own. Guests may only debark in the ports of call if booked on a Carnival-sponsored bubble tour. However, if their cruise visits a private port of call, such as Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays, unvaccinated guests may go ashore on their own or purchase any of our tours.

It will be necessary to follow the health protocols for every port we visit, which are under the control of local authorities and subject to change without prior notice. Guests must come prepared to follow local guidance pertaining to mask wearing, physical distancing, testing/health screenings, etc.

Itinerary Adjustments

Should it be necessary to cancel any or multiple ports, we will do our best to find alternative destinations. However, if we are unsuccessful in doing so, there will be no compensation for missed ports, beyond a refund of any pre-purchased Carnival shore excursions.

HEALTHY ONBOARD ENVIRONMENT

Please help us maintain a healthy onboard environment by using the hand-washing sinks and hand sanitizer dispensers at venue entrances and in high-traffic areas throughout the ship. We will also need guests to follow our guidance about the ways to stay healthy on board and when ashore, through daily programming, entertainment systems, announcements, in-stateroom literature, and the Carnival HUB App.

ONLINE CHECK-IN

Due to new embarkation processes, all guests will need to complete Online Check-In and select an Arrival Appointment. Online Check-In is available for Suite, Platinum and Diamond guests at 16 days prior to sailing; general access begins at 14 days prior to sailing. 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. With everyone’s cooperation, we can work together to guarantee an on-time departure and the start of your vacation!