Proof of travel insurance required beginning August 1

Cruising in Florida with Royal Caribbean just got even more expensive for unvaccinated travelers.

The cruise line has announced that all unvaccinated passengers 12 years old or older must show proof of travel insurance beginning August 1.

In making the announcement on its website, Carnival says the insurance policy must have a minimum of US$25,000 in medical expense coverage and US$50,000 for “quarantine and medical evacuation related to a positive COVID-19 test result” per person.

This mandate will be enforced beginning August 1 through the end of the year. However, guests who booked their cruises between March 19 and June 28 will be exempt from the new policy. 

Reason for the new policy

This new policy comes a week after two unvaccinated teenagers tested positive for COVID-19 aboard the Adventure of the Seas ship. The cruise was sailing “fully vaccinated”: all of the ship’s crew and 92 per cent of passengers were fully vaccinated.

The remaining eight per cent were guests under 16 years old, which is the age limit for the cruise line’s vaccine mandate. Earlier this month, Royal Caribbean’s sister brand, Celebrity Cruises, also reported two COVID-19 cases aboard the Celebrity Millennium.

Reuters reported that all crew and at least 95 per cent of guests aboard the ship were vaccinated. The cruise line said it would cover the expenses for the two positive cases. 

Cruise lines looking to operate in Florida are barred from mandating proof of vaccination due to the state’s ban on vaccine passports.

More subjection toward unvaccinated passengers

To address this, besides paying for travel insurance, unvaccinated Royal Caribbean guests will also be subject to additional fees in order to cover the COVID-19 tests that vaccinated passengers won’t need to undergo.

These payments range from US$136 to US$178 depending on the duration of the trip. There could be on-board restrictions as well.

For example, unvaccinated guests sailing on the Freedom of the Seas from Miami in July won’t be allowed to access select areas of the ship, including some of the dining options, bars, and the casino.