Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1480919
B M & T ••• September/October 2022 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 38 CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE REMOVES PRE-CRUISE TESTING FOR VACCINATED GUESTS AND WELCOMES ALL UNVACCINATED TO SAIL Carnival Cruise Line recently 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 vacci- nation 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 voy- ages 16 nights and longer. Unvaccinated guests or those who do not provide proof of vaccina- tion 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 book- ing is confirmed unless booked on a sailing that calls on Canada, Bermuda, Australia or if the voyage is 16 nights or longer. "Our ships have been sailing very full all summer, but there is still room for more of our loyal guests, and these guidelines will make it a sim- pler process, and make cruising accessible for those who were not able to meet the protocols we were required to follow for much of the past 14 months," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "We've got lots hap- pening, 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 conference at sea or a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit www.carnival.com . 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 revolu- tionized 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, (bi)Mardi Gras(ebi), featuring the first roller coaster at sea, is the first cruise ship in the Americas pow- ered 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. HOLLAND AMERICA LINE SIMPLIFIES COVID-19 PROCEDURES Streamlined Protocols Meet Public Health Goals While Giving Greater Access For Guests Who Are Excited To Cruise Holland America Line is updating its "Travel Well" COVID- 19 protocols and procedures, including requirements for vaccina- tions and pre-cruise testing that meet public health goals while rec- ognizing the evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation. These changes will go into effect for cruises departing on or after Sept. 6, 2022. Under the simplified procedures, for most voyages up to 15 nights, vaccinated guests will no longer have to test before cruising and unvaccinated guests will be welcomed with a self-test within three days of sailing. The new protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary, including Canada, Australia and Greece. "Our guests have been excited to return to cruising, and these changes will make it easier for more guests to explore the world in a C R U I S E N E W S