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News Release

Carnival cruise line removes pre-cruise testing for vaccinated guests and welcomes all unvaccinated to sail.

MIAMI , Aug. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Cruise Line today announced protocol updates that meet public health goals but recognize the evolving nature of COVID-19. With these changes, America's Cruise Line is making it easier for more guests to sail with simplified vaccination and testing guidelines, including no testing for vaccinated guests on sailings less than 16 nights, and eliminating the exemption request process for unvaccinated guests, who will only need to show a negative test result at embarkation. All new guidelines are effective for cruises departing on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022 or later, and include:

• Vaccinated guests must continue to provide evidence of their vaccination status prior to embarkation. Pre-cruise testing is no longer required, except for cruises to Canada , Bermuda , Greece and Australia (per local guidelines), and on voyages 16 nights or longer.
• Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail and are no longer required to apply for a vaccine exemption, except for cruises in Australia or on voyages 16 nights and longer.
• Unvaccinated guests or those who do not provide proof of vaccination must present the results of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within three days of embarkation.
• All policies are subject to local destination regulations.

Note: Guests under the age of five years are exempt from vaccination and testing requirements from the United States and under the age of 12 from Australia .

Voyages 16 nights and longer will continue to have vaccination and testing requirements that are specific to the itinerary. Requirements for long voyages and destination-specific protocols are available on Carnival's Have Fun. Be Safe. page on Carnival.com .

For guests who have a pending vaccine exemption application and are awaiting confirmation for cruises departing Sept. 6 or later, the booking is confirmed unless booked on a sailing that calls on Canada , Bermuda , Australia or if the voyage is 16 nights or longer. 

Christine Duffy , president of Carnival Cruise Line . "We've got lots happening, with Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Celebration joining our fleet this November and more to come in 2023. Whatever the ship, homeport or itinerary that works for you, our great onboard team is ready to deliver a fun vacation – something we all look forward to even more nowadays!"

Duffy added that Carnival is in the process of updating its website, communications, and processes, and sharing more details with guests and travel advisor partners to reflect these new, simplified policies. "We appreciate the patience of our guests and travel advisor partners as we update all materials, but the end result is a very positive one for all who are looking forward to cruising with us," she said.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com , or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.

ABOUT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE Carnival Cruise Line , part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is proud to be known as America's Cruise Line .  Since its founding in 1972, Carnival has continually revolutionized the cruise sector, making a cruise vacation an affordable and popular option for millions of guests. Carnival operates from 14 U.S. homeports and employs more than 40,000 team members representing 120 nationalities. Carnival's newest ship, Mardi Gras , featuring the first roller coaster at sea, is the first cruise ship in the Americas powered by eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).  Carnival returns to Australia in October 2022 and will welcome four additional ships over the next two years, including Carnival Celebration, which arrives to Miami in November to close out Carnival's 50th birthday festivities.

SOURCE Carnival Cruise Line

[email protected]

AIDA Cruises is the market leader in the German-speaking cruise market. Home of the smile, AIDA Cruises is the epitome of a premium-quality, relaxing cruise and operates one of the world’s most state-of-the-art fleets. Visit: www.aida.de

Carnival Cruise Line, also known as America’s Cruise Line, is a leader in contemporary cruising and operates a fleet of ships designed to provide fun and memorable vacation experiences at a great value. Visit: www.carnival.com

Costa Cruises delivers Italy’s finest at sea, bringing modern Italian lifestyle to its ships to provide guests with a true European experience that embodies a unique passion for life through warm hospitality, entertainment and gastronomy. Visit: www.costacruise.com

Cunard is the epitome of British refinement for travelers who relish the line’s impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining, world-class entertainment, and the legacy of historic voyages and transatlantic travel. Visit: www.cunard.com

Holland America Line's premium fleet of spacious, elegant mid-sized ships feature sophisticated five-star dining, extensive entertainment and activities, innovative culinary enrichment programs and compelling worldwide itineraries. Visit: www.hollandamerica.com

P&O Cruises (UK) is Britain’s favorite cruise line with a fleet of ships combining genuine service and a sense of occasion and attention to detail, ensuring passengers have the holiday of a lifetime, every time. Visit: www.pocruises.co.uk

P&O Cruises (Australia) provides a quintessential holiday experience for Australians and New Zealanders, taking them to some of the world's most idyllic and hard-to-reach places across Asia and the South Pacific. Visit: www.pocruises.co.au

Princess is the world’s leading international cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of modern cruise ships, renowned for the innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities. Visit: www.princess.com

Seabourn provides ultraluxury cruising vacations in a unique, small-ship style that focuses on genuine, intuitive service, all-suite accommodations, superb cuisine and unique experiences in destinations worldwide. Visit: www.seabourn.com

• COVID-19 Legal Notices

Have Fun. Be Safe.

HAVE FUN. BE SAFE.™ COVID-19 GUEST PROTOCOLS

Last updated 1 may 2024.

Effective immediately, we are making it easier for all guests, irrespective of vaccination status, to sail on cruises of any length from Australia. Proof of vaccination, pre-cruise testing, and application for a vaccine exemption are no longer required. Reservations are now confirmed for all guests, including for those awaiting a vaccine exemption.

Guests who have symptoms of respiratory illness within 5 days of embarkation should test for COVID-19. If you receive a positive result, you will not be able to travel. Please contact our customer service team at 13 31 94.

We remain unwavering in our commitment to the well-being and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit. Looking ahead, we will continue to abide by our strict and robust hygiene standards, whilst closely collaborating with relevant health authorities.

Before finalising travel plans, guests need to carefully review our Have Fun. Be Safe. Protocols below and the  NSW Health Fact Sheet for Cruises Departing or Entering NSW or the QLD COVID-19 Information for the Cruise Industry to understand their obligations to comply with health requirements.

VACCINES & VACCINE EXEMPTIONS (UPDATED 29 AUGUST 2023)

Carnival Cruise Line has welcomed the decision to lift all government mandated COVID restrictions for guests in Australia. These changes will be effective immediately across all Carnival Cruise Line operations.

Although vaccines are not required, we encourage all guests, 5 years of age and older, to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, when eligible, and carry proof of vaccination.

Australian public health authorities also strongly recommend all cruise ship guests receive an annual influenza vaccination at least two weeks before the start of their cruise.

ENHANCED HEALTH SCREENINGS

At embarkation: We will refer anyone with signs and symptoms of illness, or who are identified at-risk, for additional medical screening before allowing them to board. Guests will be seen by medical personnel and boarding will be approved at their discretion.

Any guest who is denied boarding by medical personnel will not be able to cruise and are recommended to seek reimbursement through their Travel Insurance provider.

During the cruise: Secondary screenings (and health checks throughout the cruise) will be performed, if necessary, at the cost of the guest.

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 multi-layered protocols in place, there may be infectious illness cases during your cruise. Our ships' medical centres have capabilities for diagnosis and testing. It is important that you are aware of the following information:

Any guests exhibiting symptoms of illness are encouraged to go to our medical centre. Guests who are diagnosed with contagious illnesses may be required to move to an isolation stateroom until our medical team determines if it is safe to resume cruise activities.

HEALTHY ONBOARD ENVIRONMENT

Please help us maintain a healthy onboard environment by using the hand-washing sinks and hand sanitiser 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 onboard and when ashore, through daily programming, entertainment systems, announcements, in-stateroom literature, and the Carnival HUB App.

MASKS AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING

Masks are not required on board during your cruise. However, we recommend guests wear masks in public indoor spaces, outdoors when in large congregate events if they’re feeling unwell or exhibiting symptoms of illness.

GOING ASHORE

In Australia, all guests, irrespective of vaccination status, may go ashore to enjoy a Carnival tour or independent sightseeing.

We will be following the health protocols for every port we visit, which are under the control of local authorities and subject to change without prior notice. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, must come prepared to follow local guidance pertaining to mask wearing, physical distancing, testing/health screenings, etc. Since destination health protocols continue to evolve, the most up-to-date information will be provided in a stateroom advisory.

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.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend you purchase comprehensive international travel insurance that has cruise coverage. Certain ports of call may impose a requirement that you hold travel insurance if you are medically disembarked from the ship. International medical and repatriation costs can be high and are outside the scope of Australian Medicare.

NOTE: For cruises to the South Pacific that visits New Caledonia (Noumea or Lifou):

Passport Requirements

A passport is mandatory for all guests (including infants) for this voyage. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the cruise ends.

Visa Requirements

Depending on your nationality, specific travel documentation may be required to enter Fiji, even if you remain on board during the visit. Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, U.S.A, and most other countries do not require a Fijian visa. Please contact the appropriate embassy or consulate for Fiji to determine if your nationality requires one.

Mandatory Travel Insurance

To comply with destination requirements, all guests must present proof of medical travel insurance coverage for the duration of the voyage at time of check-in. The plan must include coverage for cruise, medical emergencies, repatriations, etc.

While we will do our best to provide you with as much information as possible, you should always ensure that you follow all travel and documentation requirements for this cruise. Unfortunately, guests who do not have the required documentation will not be able to sail and no compensation will be provided.

Carnival Cruise Line Refund and Cancellation Policy for COVID-19

The following information applies to all sailings until further notice. Except as specifically stated below, or as otherwise provided in the Ticket Contract for your cruise, the standard cancellation policies and penalties described in the Ticket Contract apply.

Cruise Cancelled by Carnival

• If your cruise is cancelled by Carnival, or boarding is delayed by three days or more and you elect not to sail on the delayed voyage, you are entitled to a refund of the amount paid to Carnival or an optional Future Cruise Credit (“FCC”).

Cruise Cancelled by Guest

• If you, your family members living with you in the same household or traveling companions assigned to the same stateroom cancel a cruise booking due to testing positive for COVID-19 within 5 days of embarkation, you will not be able to cruise and are recommended to seek reimbursement through your Travel Insurance provider.
• Any close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 (those in the same household or traveling companions assigned to the same stateroom) may travel if they are asymptomatic on embarkation day and have not tested positive to COVID-19 in the past 5 days.

Denial of Embarkation or Reboarding; Quarantine and/or Disembarkation

• If you, your family members, travelling companions or other close contacts are denied embarkation or reboarding, or quarantined or disembarked during the voyage, due to a positive COVID-19 test or being suspected of having COVID-19, you are advised to seek reimbursement through your Travel Insurance provider.
• Failure to comply: If you are denied embarkation or reboarding, or are disembarked or quarantined during the voyage, for failure to comply with the Carnival COVID-19 Guest Protocols in effect at the time of the cruise, you shall not be entitled to a refund or compensation of any kind. Please refer to the Ticket Contract issued for your cruise for complete details.
• Passport Requirements: A passport is mandatory for all guests (including infants) for this voyage. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the cruise ends.
• Visa Requirements: Depending on your nationality, specific travel documentation may be required to enter Fiji, even if you remain on board during the visit. Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, U.S.A, and most other countries do not require a Fijian visa. Please contact the appropriate embassy or consulate for Fiji to determine if your nationality requires one.
• Mandatory Travel Insurance: To comply with destination requirements, all guests must present proof of medical travel insurance coverage for the duration of the voyage at time of check-in. The plan must include coverage for cruise, medical emergencies, repatriations, etc. While we will do our best to provide you with as much information as possible, you should always ensure that you follow all travel and documentation requirements for this cruise. Unfortunately, guests who do not have the required documentation will not be able to sail and no compensation will be provided.

COVID-19 FAQS

Do i need a covid-19 vaccination to sail, do i have to take a covid-19 test before my cruise.

Testing is not required for either vaccinated or unvaccinated guests. However, we encourage all guests, 5 years and older, to take a pre-cruise COVID-19 test within three days of their cruise.

What if I test positive to COVID-19 within 5 days prior to sailing?

If you test positive within 5 days prior to your cruise departure, you will not be able to travel and you should notify us or your travel agent as soon as possible so we can cancel your booking. In addition, if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms at embarkation, you will be asked to complete a health screen and if you test positive to COVID-19, you will be denied boarding.

If you have a valid travel insurance policy, please submit a claim with your insurance provider.

In the event that your claim is denied, please contact [email protected] with your booking details and any relevant documentation, including a letter of denial from your insurance provider. Claims are reviewed on a case-by-case scenario, and there is no guarantee of reimbursement.

What happens if during my cruise I have COVID-19 or test positive?

Any guest reporting or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should notify our onboard medical staff and be tested for COVID-19.  Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should isolate for at least 5 days and until they are symptom free for 24 hours.

How are you maintaining a healthy onboard environment?

The health and wellbeing of our guests is our top priority. Carnival Cruise Line ships are equipped with hand sanitisation stations, and crew members may remind you to wash or sanitize your hands upon entering food service areas. Public areas and staterooms are subject to rigorous cleaning processes; and we have also enhanced our ventilation systems to allow for frequent exchanges of fresh ocean air and modified for greater particle filtration.

Do I need travel insurance to sail?

Please note, International travel insurance is recommended on Carnival Cruise Line cruises, as your cruise is outside the scope of Australian Medicare. Medical service fees will apply to onboard Covid-19 testing and treatment.

Mandatory Travel Insurance (For cruises to the South Pacific that visits New Caledonia (Noumea or Lifou))

Au covid-19 risk acknowledgment faqs.

Acknowledgement & Acceptance of Risks, Policies and Procedures for COVID-19

Please read carefully and log into Cruise Manager to acknowledge and accept.

How do we mitigate and manage COVID-19 cases on board?

We have consulted with leading medical experts to create an extensive response plan for mitigating and managing COVID-19 cases on our ships, and have also made arrangements with local port, health and transportation authorities to support our ships should it become necessary.

We have enhanced our shipboard medical capabilities with the necessary staffing, medications, supplies, oxygen, equipment and procedures to triage and treat multiple COVID-19 cases across the full clinical spectrum including intensive care. Our highly experienced doctors and nurses are up to date on the latest COVID-19 scientific status and trained on all relevant COVID-19 procedures.

In addition to our onboard Medical Centres, our shoreside Health Operations Centre is staffed 24/7 by our team of dedicated medical and public health professionals. Other measures in place include, but not limited to:

• COVID-19 viral testing capabilities, including PCR;
• Detailed quarantine management plan including isolation staterooms for COVID-19 positive cases, as well as isolation ward and beds in the medical centre;
• Enhanced cleaning and sanitising, including guest rooms and public areas;
• Onboard signage and regular communication to guests about COVID-safe practices; and,
• Regular monitoring of disease activity and health regulations in the destinations we visit so we can adjust our cruise itineraries as necessary.

Do I need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to cruise?

You should always ensure you understand all requirements to travel from your home country and the destinations you plan to visit. Details continue to be updated regularly and official websites and apps developed by government departments & agencies, and tourism ministries are the recommended resources, including:

• Smart Traveller
• Home Affairs
• Safe Travel

Any guests exhibiting symptoms of illness are encouraged to go to our medical centre. Guests who are diagnosed with contagious illnesses may be required to move to an isolation stateroom until our medical team determines if it is safe to resume cruise activities. 

What health care is available on board and how do I access it?

Each ship has a dedicated team of medical staff operating the onboard medical centre to serve the general health care needs for guests and crew. Our highly experienced doctors and nurses are up to date on the latest COVID-19 scientific status and trained in relevant COVID-19 procedures. We have also enhanced our shipboard medical capabilities in terms of staffing, medications, supplies, oxygen, equipment and procedures to triage and treat multiple COVID-19 cases across the full clinical spectrum including intensive care.

You can contact the medical centre using the phone in your room to request non-urgent appointments. This avoids congregation of patients in the medical centre and allows the medical staff to pre-determine the best location for the consultation, including your room.

Whenever possible, anyone suspected of COVID-19 will be assessed and treated in their room with all medical first responders wearing full PPE. Medical staff will arrange safe transfer of any unwell individuals to the ship's Medical Centre if additional treatment is required that cannot be provided in the guest's room. All cruises on our ships are outside the scope of Australian Medicare, New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation and private health insurance.

What is the cost of onboard health care?

For cruises to or from Australia, there is a medical facility onboard where guests can have an initial consultation and COVID-19 related testing at their expense. Different policies may apply in other jurisdictions.

Non-COVID-19 related medical consultations, treatment and medication will be charged at private rates, and must be paid for by the guest and should be claimed on guest's international travel insurance. All cruises on our ships are outside the scope of Australian Medicare, New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation and private health insurance.

What happens if my medical needs cannot be supported on board and I need to be transported off the ship?

While our onboard Medical Centres are equipped to handle many medical conditions, including COVID-19, there may be occasions where it becomes necessary to disembark or evacuate a guest to receive further essential medical treatment. To ensure guest safety, this decision will be made by the onboard doctor and the captain, in coordination with the relevant port and health authorities. Depending on medical water vessel or road ambulance, or a combination of these. Guests will be responsible for the costs of any evacuation required to treat COVID-19.

Our CareTeam will provide support to any guest who requires medical evacuation, along with their family and travel party.

What are the disembarkation arrangements for guests who test positive and close contacts?

Guests who are in isolation, or a close contact, will be disembarked in a controlled manner, separate from other guests. Isolation arrangements can vary by country/region. For guests disembarked in Australia:

• If a guest is well enough to travel home, they can proceed with their plans to return home.
• If a guest is unwell and requires ongoing medical treatment, we will make the necessary arrangements to transfer them to a local hospital or medical facility. If the guest does not require medical attention and prefers to stay locally until they recover, Carnival will assist in making arrangements however the guest will be responsible for any expenses.

Our CareTeam will provide assistance and support, as required, to guests who test positive to COVID-19 during their cruise, their families and any close contacts, to ensure they arrive home safely.

I have an existing medical condition. Can I still cruise?

We recommend guests seek advice from their medical practitioner about their condition and any possible risk associated with cruise travel. If you are travelling with a specific medical requirement, please let us know at the time of booking as we may require you to complete a medical questionnaire prior to travel.

Guests who use oxygen (concentrators or tanks) and those who are undergoing dialysis are welcome to travel on cruises 7 days or less, but please let us know at the time of booking.

Unfortunately, we are currently unable to welcome guests on board cruises of 8 nights or longer who are dependent on supplemental oxygen tanks or who are undergoing haemodialysis. Our medical experts have determined that, for the guests own safety, this is the right decision. We remain optimistic that our approach on future departures will become more flexible.

Do I need travel insurance?

We strongly recommend you purchase comprehensive international travel insurance that has both cruise and COVID coverage. Certain ports of call may impose a requirement that you hold travel insurance if you are medically disembarked from the ship. International medical and repatriation costs can be high and are outside the scope of Australian Medicare.

Please note, International travel insurance is recommended on Carnival Cruise Line cruises, as your cruise is outside the scope of Australian Medicare. Medical service fees will apply to onboard COVID-19 testing and treatment.

Will the cruise itinerary be altered if there are COVID-19 cases on board?

Our cruise itineraries are never guaranteed and may be altered for various reasons. In the event of COVID-19 cases on board, depending on the level of transmission and perceived risk by local port and health authorities, we may not be permitted to visit certain destinations included in the cruise itinerary.

How will guests be advised of COVID-19 positive cases and level of transmission on board?

If there are a small number of controlled cases, only close contacts will be notified by the onboard medical staff. When there is a potential risk of ongoing COVID-19 transmission, guests will be advised, as required by health authorities. Communication may include onboard announcements, letters to guest rooms and additional information in the Carnival Hub App.

Do guests need to be aware of and comply with Government entry requirements when returning from an international cruise, or when visiting the countries included in the itinerary?

Guests arriving on a cruise that has transited international ports are responsible for ensuring they meet local government entry requirements. Failure to do so may result in denial of boarding, being issued a fine, deportation or the ship being denied entry.

Guests are also responsible for ensuring they meet the entry requirements of the countries included in their itinerary, including any vaccination requirements.

Details continue to be updated regularly and official websites and apps developed by government departments & agencies, and tourism ministries are the recommended resources, including:

What if a guest fails to comply with the required health protocols during their cruise?

Anyone who doesn't comply with the onboard public health measures may be disembarked at the first available opportunity. Other consequences could include being denied service, required isolation in their room and being banned from cruising with Carnival Cruise Line and other Carnival Corporation and plc brands in future.

For any guest who is non-compliant, no refund will be issued of the cruise fare for missed cruise days, nor will travel expenses (if flying home) be covered.

If the travel party of a guest who is non-compliant is impacted and they are required or voluntarily choose to disembark with them, the same policies will apply to travel party: no refund of cruise fare for missed cruise days or coverage of travel expenses home.

What are the implications for guests travelling from overseas to join a cruise departing from Australia?

We strongly recommend guests obtain appropriate international travel insurance which may cover costs associated with changes to travel arrangements. Also, it is a condition of entry into some countries that guests hold specific travel insurance. It is your responsibility to inform yourself about what insurance you are required to hold and carry proof of any coverage. Guests travelling from overseas should also ensure their travel insurance provides cover for COVID-19 related medical care. If ongoing medical treatment is required after disembarkation, any associated costs will be incurred by the guest.

How will a COVID-19 outbreak on board be managed?

We have a COVID-19 response management plan covering varying levels of risk determined by the number of positive COVID-19 cases, clusters and close contacts.

In the unlikely event there is an outbreak of COVID-19 on board which is considered to be higher risk, all non-essential services will be suspended, and guests who are not isolating will be asked to minimise their movements around the ship and remain in their room as much as possible or utilise outdoor areas while maintaining physical distancing. Masks will also be required to be worn by guests at all times when outside their rooms, except while consuming food & drinks. The ship may still call at destinations for the provisioning of essential stores, subject to local health and port authority approvals, however shore visits will be suspended. In consultation with relevant health and port authorities, arrangements may be made to shorten the cruise and return to the closest suitable port to safely disembark all guests

Where an outbreak is considered to be moderate risk, some services may be modified or suspended in order to mitigate the risk, as outlined in Question 21.

Enhanced cleaning and sanitisation will be implemented in all areas, and hand washing or sanitiser use will be enforced at all food outlets and restaurants.

Guests will be kept informed onboard of any COVID-19 outbreak and any changes to the situation and what this means, including any changes to onboard health protocols. In addition, guests due to board the next cruise after a COVID-19 outbreak of moderate to higher risk has occurred will be informed of this prior to boarding.

Will activities be cancelled if there is a COVID-19 outbreak?

Where an outbreak is considered to be moderate risk, some activities and services may be modified or suspended in order to mitigate the risk, which may include:

• Reduced capacity in dining venues and lounges, with extended hours to facilitate physical distancing;
• Suspension of dining events, such as Chef's table;
• Walk-up bar service suspended, and only table service will be provided;
• Modification or suspensions of Kids Club centre and procedures and activities;
• Modification of entertainment, activities and shows, which may include reduced capacity, suspension, venue changes, shortening shows to increase frequency;
• Closure of waterslides;
• Reduced capacity in onboard shops;
• Reduced capacity in the gym, with masks required to be worn at all times and increased sanitising; and
• Closure of self-serve guest laundries.

During a moderate level outbreak, where we are still permitted to call at a destination as determine by the local health and port authorities, some shore tours may need to be modified or cancelled.

In the unlikely event there is an outbreak of COVID-19 on board which is considered to be higher risk, all non-essential services will be suspended.

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Coronavirus Updates

People should avoid cruise travel regardless of their vaccination status, the cdc says.

Jonathan Franklin

The Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Sunrise ship is seen in the port of Miami on Dec. 23, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

The Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Sunrise ship is seen in the port of Miami on Dec. 23, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new advisory Thursday that travelers should avoid traveling by cruise ship, regardless of vaccination status, after a recent surge in positive COVID-19 cases onboard ships.

The agency increased its travel warning for cruises to Level 4 — the highest level — following investigations of dozens of ships that have had outbreaks of the virus.

"Even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants," the CDC said on its website .

Shots - Health News

Tracking the coronavirus around the u.s.: see how your state is doing.

Following the identification of the omicron variant, there has been an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases among cruise passengers and crew reported to the agency, the CDC said.

More cruise ships have reached "level yellow" — the level where the CDC investigates a ship's COVID outbreak.

"It is especially important that travelers who are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide, regardless of vaccination status," the agency added.

More cruise ships are under CDC investigation following COVID-19 outbreaks on board

There are 91 cruise ships currently under investigation or observation, according to the CDC website. However, the agency has not specified how many COVID-19 cases have been reported, according to The Associated Press .

An additional three ships are being monitored.

The CDC advised that those who choose to travel on a cruise should get vaccinated against COVID-19 before their trip and, if eligible, receive a booster dose.

In addition, masks should also be worn in shared spaces and passengers who are not fully vaccinated against COVID should self-quarantine for five days after travel, in addition to getting tested three to five days after their return, the CDC said.

Goats and Soda

The goal: at least 40% vaxxed in all nations by year-end. this map shows how we stand.

In an email to NPR, a spokesperson for the Cruise Lines International Association said the trade group was "disappointed" by the CDC's latest advisory against cruise ship travel.

"While we are disappointed and disagree with the decision to single out the cruise industry—an industry that continues to go above and beyond compared to other sectors—CLIA and our ocean-going cruise line members remain committed to working collaboratively with the CDC in the interest of public health and safety," the trade group said .

Most cruise lines require adult passengers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19, according to AP.

For now, CDC guidanc e allows cruise ships to relax measures — such as mask usage — if at least 95% of passengers and 95% of the cruise ship crew are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

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• CDC COVID-19 guidance

Watch CBS News

Court rules Carnival Cruises was negligent during COVID-19 outbreak linked to hundreds of cases

By Caitlin O'Kane

October 25, 2023 / 12:30 PM EDT / CBS News

An Australian court has ruled Carnival Cruises was negligent during an outbreak of COVID-19 onboard one of its ships in March 2020. A class-action lawsuit alleged the cruise line failed to take appropriate measures to ensure passengers on its Ruby Princess ship didn't get sick as the coronavirus was spreading around the world .

More than 2,650 passengers were onboard the ship when it departed Sydney on March 8, 2020, and returned to Sydney on March 19.

Susan Karpik, a former nurse whose husband was hospitalized with COVID-19 after the cruise, was the lead applicant in the class-action suit, according to Shine Law, the firm that represented about 1,000 plaintiffs.

Karpik sued for over 360,000 Australian dollars, claiming she suffered psychological distress due to her husband's condition, according to the Reuters news agency . He was given only days to live at one point and is also part of the class-action lawsuit.

Karpik was awarded AU$4,423.48 ($2,826) for her medical expenses but did not receive other damages. However, attorney Vicky Antzoulatos said her husband and other passengers involved in the suit are still awaiting the court's decision on their claims and may be awarded more, according to Reuters.

About 900 COVID-19 cases and 28 deaths were linked to the cruise, Reuters reports.

During the trial, Carnival argued the nearly 700 U.S. passengers onboard signed a class-action waiver as part of the cruise line's U.S. terms and conditions and they should not be included in the suit, according to Shine Law. The court has yet make a decision on that.

"I am pleased with this outcome as it brings a degree of comfort for all passengers who were worse off as a result of traveling on the Ruby Princess," Antzoulatos said in a news release . "It's of course only a partial win as 28 lives were lost on this cruise. There are many individuals and families who will never recover from this loss."

CBS News has reached out to the law firm for further comment and is awaiting a response.

"We have seen the judgment and are considering it in detail," a Carnival Australia spokesperson told CBS News via email. "The pandemic was a difficult time in Australia's history, and we understand how heartbreaking it was for those affected."

In May 2020, Congress opened an investigation into how Carnival responded to COVID-19. At the time, more than 100 U.S. citizens who worked on cruises were stranded on ships because the CDC wanted cruise lines to make quarantine plans before allowing people to disembark.

Carnival said it was working with the CDC to get the employees home and that it would cooperate with the House investigation.

The CDC has since stopped monitoring cases of COVID-19 on cruise ships but said in 2022 it would "continue to publish  guidance  to help cruise ships continue to provide a safer and healthier environment for passengers, crew and communities going forward."

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Caitlin O'Kane is a New York City journalist who works on the CBS News social media team as a senior manager of content and production. She writes about a variety of topics and produces "The Uplift," CBS News' streaming show that focuses on good news.

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Cruising in Crisis: How Carnival Is Riding Out the COVID-19 Storm

On February 1, 2020, a passenger who had been on Carnival’s Diamond Princess ship docked in Japan tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Soon afterward, 700 people on the ship contracted the virus—the largest coronavirus outbreak outside of China at the time. Within weeks, 25 other cruise ships reported infections.

By mid-March, Carnival, the largest cruise line in the world, suspended operations across the globe. Yet it took weeks to get its 260,000 guests and 80,000 employees who were floating at sea back to their homes in more than 130 countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic devastated service industries, including bars and restaurants, retailers, and hotels, forcing many to close their doors for good. But while many service-oriented companies were permitted to gradually reopen with precautions in place, the cruise industry had to come to a screeching halt that lasted for more than a year—and it’s still unclear when many ships will set sail again.

"There was a lot at stake, with $20 billion in annual revenues and hundreds of thousands of passengers transported every year."

Compounding the challenge of losing customers has been the lack of government aid. Unlike other companies that were able to stay afloat through pandemic-related government assistance, most cruise ships are registered outside the US, including those run by Carnival’s American subsidiary, so they weren’t eligible for loans.

“There was a lot at stake, with $20 billion in annual revenues and hundreds of thousands of passengers transported every year,” says Stuart Gilson, the Steven R. Fenster Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, who studied Carnival’s predicament. He points out that in March 2020, Carnival's bonds were trading at around only 70 cents on the dollar, at which point companies are often considered financially distressed.

“Indeed, early in the pandemic, with the financial markets in turmoil, Carnival reportedly entered into discussions with a group of private equity and hedge fund investors—who typically specialize in buying the debt of financially distressed companies—over a prospective $4 billion to $6 billion debt investment in the company,” he says.

Carnival also faced a flurry of lawsuits from passengers alleging that the company didn’t do enough to keep them safe.

Slashing expenses to weather rough seas

Remarkably, in spite of these hardships, Carnival has survived—and has even emerged stronger—says Gilson, who chronicled the company’s travails in the new case study Carnival Corporation: Cruising Through COVID-19 , co-written with research associate Sarah Abbott. The case highlights important lessons for any business that encounters an unexpected economic blow, Gilson says.

“There’s something that’s very distinctive about the economic shock we’ve just gone through,” he says. “It’s remarkable how much cash public companies have been able to raise in the capital markets in a very short period of time.”

"It’s really a case about crisis management, accepting the reality of the situation and taking big actions relatively quickly."

Carnival’s success has been due in part to investors’ faith in the company’s ability to right itself, but corporate leaders also made some savvy business decisions to prepare for the long haul, Gilson says.

“It’s really a case about crisis management,” Gilson says, “accepting the reality of the situation and taking big actions relatively quickly.” Now, as the pandemic starts to wane and cruise companies are hopeful that at least a limited number of ships can embark on trips this summer, the company’s long-term success may depend on how much its customers feel safe going back into the water.

When the company first shut down in March 2020, many cruise executives were hopeful that governments would lift restrictions, and they would sail again by October 2020. Nevertheless, says Gilson, CEO Arnold Donald prepared for an extended, indefinite lockdown. The company cut its annual operating expenses by $1 billion, as well as its capital costs by hundreds of millions. While some of those reductions came from laying off 820 people and furloughing an additional 537 for up to six months, Carnival also restructured operations to make them more efficient, and sold off older, less productive ships.

“Some of that weeding out of less-efficient capital may have happened eventually, but this really accelerated that process,” Gilson says.

Shoring up cash until the pandemic ends

At the same time, Carnival moved aggressively to restructure its debt. “At a high level, the reason companies become financially distressed is pretty straightforward—they don’t have enough cash relative to what they owe their creditors,” says Gilson, whose research focuses on strategies companies use to overcome financial challenges. “To get to a better place, you therefore either have to find ways to generate more cash, or reduce or restructure your liabilities.”

In addition to aggressively cutting expenses, Carnival also negotiated with its existing creditors to extend debt maturities, waive restrictive covenants, and exchange outstanding debt for new common stock—all while raising over $10 billion in new debt and equity capital.

What accounts for investors’ willingness to fund a company that was in near-total lockdown, and to do so on such a scale? According to Gilson, several factors could be responsible, including the massive infusion of liquidity and confidence into capital markets that took place under the Federal Reserve’s and US government’s various COVID-relief programs, a belief in the long-term growth prospects of the cruise industry generally, and renewed confidence in Carnival’s own prospects based on the financial discipline that management exhibited in responding to the pandemic. And, unlike the uncertain prognosis following the 2008 global financial crisis, the pandemic-related economic collapse appears to have an endgame, thanks to vaccines, which made the prospect of a cruise industry rebound a question of “ when” rather than “ if .”

The future looks bright

Now with an estimated $8 billion in cash on hand, Carnival seems well poised to recover—even if it takes some time before ships are sailing at regular rates again.

“That’s assuming, of course, some other challenge or crisis doesn’t arise,” Gilson warns. After all, the cruise industry’s success depends on two factors: the inherent risks of international travel, including political unrest and geographical calamities, and the loyalty of customers, 60 percent of whom are repeat visitors. While no one can predict a global disaster, Carnival appears to be sailing smoothly with its customer relationships, Gilson says.

"The industry clearly benefits from having a loyal base of enthusiastic repeat customers who love the cruising experience."

When cruises were canceled last year, some 45 percent of customers opted for vouchers for a future cruise in place of a refund, contributing to $2.4 billion in deposits. An independent survey of cruise customers in May 2020 found that 67 percent were planning to rebook a cruise or travel once restrictions lift—while only 2 percent said they’d never cruise again, the case says. Bookings for later this year, the company recently reported, are “at the higher end of historic ranges.” Company officials have said they need 50 percent occupancy on ships to break even.

All of that bodes well for Carnival and the survival of global cruising in general, which, in a typical year, generates $45.6 billion and serves 30 million passengers. “The industry clearly benefits from having a loyal base of enthusiastic repeat customers who love the cruising experience,” Gilson says. “It’s a passion for them.”

About the Author

Michael Blanding is a writer based in the Boston area. [Image: iStockphoto/Emilian Danaila]

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Nearly 70 Celebrity Cruises guests sick in norovirus outbreak

• Nearly 70 passengers and five crew members got sick in a norovirus outbreak on a Celebrity Cruises ship.
• The ship is currently sailing week-long Alaska voyages between Vancouver and Seward.
• The illness is frequently associated with cruise ships, but those outbreaks account for just 1% of all outbreaks reported, according to the CDC.

Nearly 70 Celebrity Cruises passengers got sick in a norovirus outbreak during a recent cruise.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 68 of Celebrity Summit’s 2,264 guests reported being ill during a cruise that ended on Friday, along with five crew members. Their main symptoms were diarrhea and vomiting.

The ship is currently sailing week-long Alaska voyages between Vancouver and Seward, according to CruiseMapper . In response to the outbreak, the cruise line isolated sick guests and crew and collected samples for testing, among other steps, the health agency said. 

There were an isolated number of cases on board and the impacted guests are no longer on the ship, according to Nathaniel Derrenbacher, a spokesperson for Celebrity’s parent company Royal Caribbean Group. Summit was also sanitized.

The news follows another norovirus outbreak on Celebrity Constellation in January that left nearly 100 guests sick. The CDC has logged seven outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruises that met its threshold for public notification so far this year. Norovirus was listed as the causative agent in all but one.

Cruise ship medical facilities: What happens if you get sick or injured (or bitten by a monkey)

The illness is frequently associated with cruise ships, but those outbreaks account for just 1% of all outbreaks reported, according to the CDC. Dr. Sarah E. Hochman, a hospital epidemiologist and the section chief of infectious diseases at NYU Langone Health’s Tisch Hospital, told USA TODAY in April that those happen in communities on land, too.

“There's not something special or unique about cruise ships,” she said at the time. “It's really any type of congregate setting, but it's also happening out in the community on a much smaller scale among households and household contacts. It just doesn't come to the attention of public health as much as it does for larger congregate settings.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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Carnival Cruise Line investment opportunity available for Black travelers

• By Cameron French
• Jun 12, 2024

The resurgence of Carnival Cruise Line post-pandemic offers a unique investment opportunity, particularly for Black travelers who play a significant role in the travel industry. Financial advisors spotlight the cruise operator’s current low valuation as a chance for investors to engage with a potentially lucrative market.

Understanding Carnival’s market position

After a challenging period with sales plummeting to zero due to COVID-19, Carnival is on the path to recovery. Despite stock being down from the previous year, experts believe that the company’s stock is poised for a surge as its financial health improves, with revenue at record levels and the expectation of positive net income in the near future.

Why this matters for Black travelers

Black travelers who have shown a strong interest in cruising, particularly to destinations like the Caribbean, could find this investment opportunity aligns with their travel habits and economic interests. In 2019, Black US leisure travelers spent over $109 billion on travel, marking their significant influence on the industry.

While Carnival was a market leader before the pandemic, the current situation presents a once in a generation investment chance. However, potential investors need to conduct thorough research before making any financial commitments, as investment analysts have not listed Carnival among the top stocks to invest in at this time.

For Black travelers, investing in Carnival could be more than a financial decision; it’s a chance to support and grow with a brand that aligns with their travel preferences and contributes to the broader travel and leisure industry.

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Russian sub deployment off Florida worries Pentagon that Moscow will stalk U.S. coasts

R ussia’s deployment of a naval flotilla to Cuba on Wednesday was generally consistent with routine military posturing by Moscow — with one exceptional detail, Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security advisor, told reporters aboard Air Force One on Wednesday.

“There are elements of this one that are different, that are distinct,” he said. “They have a submarine associated with this port visit that they have not had before.”

The first deployment of a nuclear submarine to Cuba since the end of the Cold War has served not only as a message to the Biden administration of Moscow’s displeasure with continued U.S. support for Ukraine, but also of its increasing ability to stalk U.S. coastlines with stealth submersibles — a growing concern for the U.S. military, multiple officials familiar with the matter told McClatchy and the Miami Herald.

Just last month, the head of the U.S. Northern Command warned Congress that Moscow could soon deploy 12 similarly advanced nuclear submarines split evenly between the Pacific and Atlantic, creating a “persistent conventional threat” to the United States.

“The threat will only become more acute later in the decade,” Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot said, once the Yasen-class submarines are regularly armed with hypersonic missiles capable of traveling many times the speed of sound.

U.S. officials are now assessing whether the current Russian deployment, which will culminate in military exercises in the Caribbean, could be the beginning of a pattern of Russian submarine activity that will require a more sustained change in U.S. force posture.

The Kazan, a Yasen-class sub, joined three other Russian combat vessels that U.S. officials characterized as routine visitors to Cuba’s shores.

The deployment is “something we watch closely, carefully,” Sullivan said.

‘THEY WILL DEFINITELY LOSE HER’

As the Kazan breached the waters of the port of Havana on Wednesday, Russian state media reported that the vessel had demonstrated it is “capable of quietly approaching U.S. shores” within 50 kilometers, or about 30 miles. U.S. officials acknowledged to McClatchy on Tuesday that the Russian fleet had skirted the coast of Florida by a similar distance on its approach to Cuba.

“If she wants to hide, they will definitely lose her, she will break away,” said Mikhail Budnichenko, director of the submarine program, as quoted by TASS, a Russian state-run media organization. “This is a very secretive ship, this is the latest achievement of Russian science and technology.”

The Kazan, a nuclear-powered vessel capable of carrying and firing nuclear cruise missiles, is a state-of-the-art submersible that is part of a newly designed fleet intended to replace Russia’s aging Soviet-era nuclear submarines.

A U.S. official told McClatchy and the Herald that U.S. military assets never lost track of the Kazan on its approach to Havana. McClatchy confirmed on Tuesday that the U.S. Northern Command had dispatched three guided-missile destroyers — the USS Truxtun, USS Donald Cook and USS Delbert D. Black — as well as a Coast Guard cutter and a Boeing P-8 maritime patrol aircraft to patrol the Russian military movements.

But Moscow’s advancements in submarine technology have accelerated in recent years. Last year, Guillot’s predecessor warned Congress that Yasen-class submarines like the Kazan could begin routinely patrolling U.S. coasts this year or next.

The threat “is absolutely increasing,” Gen. Glen VanHerck told lawmakers, referring to the Russian submarine deployments, “now not only the Atlantic, but we also have them in the Pacific.”

“It’s just a matter of time — probably a year or two — before that’s a persistent threat, 24 hours a day,” VanHerck added. “That impact has reduced decision space for a national senior leader in a time of crisis.”

Last month, Guillot told the Senate that Moscow’s intent to deploy a dozen submarines across the Pacific and Atlantic would enable the Russian Navy “to pose a persistent conventional threat to critical infrastructure throughout most of North America.”

“The threat will only become more acute later in the decade when [Russian submarines] are armed with the Tsirkon hypersonic missile,” Guillot said.

U.S. officials told McClatchy and the Herald that the Kazan is not known to be carrying hypersonic missiles on its current deployment.

But TASS quoted another unnamed Russian official on Wednesday stating the Kazan and its escorts could be equipped with such powerful weapons that a close approach to the U.S. coast would not even be necessary.

A sub wouldn’t need to come as close as 50 kilometers to the U.S. shore, TASS quoted the official as saying, “but in principle, it can.”

Carnival is taking on Royal Caribbean with its own $600 million private resort — see Celebration Key's planned features

• Carnival Cruise Line is set to launch its new private destination, Celebration Key , in 2025.
• The $600 million project has amenities similar to Royal Caribbean's private island.
• Carnival is "clearly following Royal Caribbean's footsteps," one analyst told Business Insider.

Step aside, CocoCay. Royal Caribbean's private island could soon face some serious competition.

About 140 miles east of Miami, Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay receives thousands of eager families virtually every day of the year, drawn to the private Caribbean island's irresistible waterpark, beach clubs, and family-friendly amenities.

The tropical destination has become a massive hit with the cruise line's guests. And it seems Carnival, which also targets cruising families, wants a slice of its competitor's winning pie.

Carnival already operates its own private island, Half Moon Cay.

But what's better than one exclusive port? Two of them.

The cruise giant is now building another destination just for its guests: Celebration Key, a mile-long resort-like getaway on Grand Bahama Island .

The $600 million project, Carnival Corp's largest, is set to open in 2025 — a sign that the company is "clearly following Royal Caribbean's footsteps," Patrick Scholes, lodging and leisure research analyst at Truist Securities, told Business Insider in March.

Carnival’s promises for its private destination might sound familiar.

Royal Caribbean's private island has a waterpark with 14 slides and children's play areas.

Similarly, according to Carnival's recent announcement, Celebration Key will have a large, family-friendly freshwater lagoon with two 350-foot-long waterslides and a children's water playground.

It's a scaled-back version of CocoCay's popular feature — for now. Looking ahead, Carnival said it plans to build a waterpark and zipline course, too.

Celebration Key would also offer amenities like ping-pong, basketball, and volleyball.

As you might've guessed, these activities are also available on Royal Caribbean's island as well.

Looking to escape the sound of screaming children? Carnival says Celebration Key will have a separate adult-only section, again with frills reminiscent of CocoCay's recently opened pool club (as in, a swim-up pool bar, a DJ, and no kids in sight).

It wouldn’t be a cruise-owned private island without up-charged amenities.

Travelers at Perfect Day at CocoCay can splurge on private beach clubs, cabanas, shopping, food, and alcohol.

The same goes for Celebration Key. In fact, "You'd be surprised at how much people are willing to pay to rent cabanas for the day," Josh Weinstein, president and CEO of Carnival Corp, told investors in late March.

Like CocoCay, Carnival expects its private destination to be a big money maker with increased ticket revenue and "incremental in-port spending," Weinstein said. Plus, it'll be near Florida's major cruise ports, allowing Carnival to save money on fuel — another major benefit to owning private Caribbean properties.

Celebration Key is already included in over 500 of Carnival’s itineraries across 18 ships.

We're still a year from its debut, but that's not stopping the company from planning the expansion of its upcoming property.

Carnival said it'll spend $100 million extending Celebration Key's pier, which, when completed in 2026, will allow it to accommodate four of Carnival's largest cruise ships.

By 2028, the cruise line says the destination will be able to accommodate 4 million travelers annually.

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