Carnival Cruise Line is the latest brand to change its vaccination protocols to comply with destination requirements, including the Bahamas, which last week ordered that all cruise passengers on ships calling on Bahamian ports be fully vaccinated for Covid-19, effective Sept. 3.
Effective Aug. 28 through October, for departures from all Atlantic and Gulf homeports, only children under 12 and adults with a medical condition that prohibits their vaccination are exempt from vaccination requirements to sail, Carnival said, and the line will now require guests to confirm their vaccination status and show proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR or antigen test.
Carnival already meets CDC thresholds for 95% vaccinated cruises, and it has allowed a small number of exceptions for children under 12 and certain adults who are unable to be vaccinated.
Royal Caribbean International and MSC Cruises both changed their vaccinations policies last week immediately after the Bahamas changed its policy. Both lines have private islands in the Bahamas.