At least two cruise lines sailing out of Florida - where they aren’t permitted to require proof of vaccination - now say they’ll require guests who aren’t vaccinated to purchase travel insurance at their own expense.
Both Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises will require unvaccinated passengers to purchase new COVID-19 related insurance, which will cover medical expenses, quarantine, evacuation, and other related safety measures.
In a statement by Royal Caribbean, insurance policies must have a minimum of USD $25,000 per person for medical expenses, and USD $50,000 per person for travel expenses. Proof of travel insurance will be required for boarding on Royal Caribbean ships sailing from Florida, and these changes apply on voyages from 01AUG through 31DEC 2021, as reported by Reuters.
Royal Caribbean’s CEO Michael Bayley also stated on social media that unvaccinated guests will be subject to additional health protocols, including mandatory mask wearing, as well as additional testing at the pax’ own expense.
That’s not the only cruise line laying down the law with unvaccinated guests.
MSC Cruises recently released a statement saying that unvaccinated guests over the age of 12 travelling to the Caribbean from U.S. destinations will be required to purchase the cruise line’s Travel Insurance & COVID-19 Protection Services, and will be subject to more strict health protocols for cruising.
The travel insurance must be purchased before making the final payment for booking. MSC Cruises did not include the price for the travel insurance in its statement.
MSC’s added protocols for non-vaxxed guests include mask wearing, the required purchase of MSC sponsored shore excursions in order to go ashore, required testing upon embarkation and while on board, and more.
