Just a few weeks ago, the cruise line Carnival issued a statement on its website advising that passengers who don’t have valid travel insurance will be denied boarding if they don’t provide medical information proving they’re up to date with their shots. Most people probably don’t think much about getting vaccinated when they embark on a cruise, but in case of an emergency, having the proper documentation could mean the difference between life and death.
The cruise industry is an extremely lucrative business that relies on a healthy, well-educated clientele. If there were any way to keep this clientele healthy and low-risk, cruise lines would thrive. But there is a group of passengers that fail to meet the industry’s criteria for having insurance. These are the people who choose not to vaccinate.
Like Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line has implemented a new requirement that all non-vaccinated guests boarding its Florida-based ships must provide proof of travel insurance before boarding.Carnival’s new insurance requirement applies to all Florida cruise bookings made after the 28th. The purchase price will be paid on June 31. July in effect. The company departs from four ports in Florida: Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Jackson. This rule currently applies only to cruises departing from the Sunshine State and the company has not announced similar arrangements for cruises departing from other domestic or international ports.
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All non-vaccinated guests must present proof of travel insurance at check-in. People who cannot provide the required proof of insurance will not be allowed to travel and will not receive a refund, according to the Carnival website. There is an exemption for children under 12 years of age who are not yet eligible for vaccination against COVID-19 in the United States.
Policies must provide minimum coverage of $10,000 per person and $30,000 per person for emergency medical evacuation and must not contain COVID-19 exclusions. The policy must specifically name the unvaccinated fairgoer as the policyholder or beneficiary. The policy can be purchased from an external travel insurance company or from Carnival Vacation Protection 14 days prior to departure.
In keeping with the practices of other lines that are also relaunching their operations, and in the interest of our customers who have not been vaccinated, this is an important insurance policy in case they run into a medical situation while cruising, Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen said in a statement.
LendingTree’s analysis of the average cost of travel insurance in 2024 shows that these policies would add $100 to $200 per person to the cost of a cruise, reports CBS News.
Unvaccinated guests are subject to additional checks, health monitoring protocols and safety regulations while on board, Carnival explains on its COVID-19 Guest Protocols website. Those who do not wish to submit proof of vaccination must submit a negative result of the COVID-19 PCR test, which will be performed within 72 hours of arrival at the boarding terminal.
They will also be tested at embarkation and disembarkation if their cruise lasts more than four days. These guests will have to pay an additional $150 to cover Carnival’s testing costs, which will be included in their bill aboard Sail & Sign.
For more information, visit carnival.com.
