UPDATE: Head over here to read an updated list of which cruise lines are now allowing unvaccinated guests, and which still require vaccination in some way. (Accurate as of August 15, 2022).
As many cruise lines drop their restriction against unvaccinated kids and begin welcoming them onboard, questions continue to arise on each cruise line’s policy concerning whether kids need the vaccine to sail.
We’ve put together this list of the major cruise lines in North America and their policies on kids being able to sail with or without the COVID-19 vaccine.
This article was originally published in March 2022. It was updated and republished on June 17, 2022. Check with your cruise line for the latest information.
Azamara
All passengers 12 and older must be fully vaccinated to sail. Also, any guests eligible for their first booster dose are required to have it, but a second booster is not necessary. Kids 11 and under do not need to be vaccinated.
Carnival Cruise Line
Unvaccinated kids under five are permitted to sail without needing to apply for an exemption from Carnival. Unvaccinated kids five and older must apply for an exemption.
To sail without needing to apply for an exemption, kids five and older should be fully vaccinated. Booster shots are not required.
On the 2022 Europe voyages on Carnival Pride and Carnival Celebration and the 23-day Carnival Splendor transpacific cruise, guests 12 and older must be boosted to sail if eligible for their booster shot.
Read about Disney Cruise Line Tightens Birth Certificate Requirements for Kids Under 16
Celebrity Cruises
For voyages based in the US and cruises to Canada and Bermuda, passengers 12 and older must be vaccinated, while kids 11 and under are not required to have the vaccine to sail.
On European sailings, neither kids nor teens are required to be vaccinated — only adults 18 and older.
Booster shots are not required.
Cunard
Kids five and older must be fully vaccinated to sail. Booster shots are not required for kids and teens 15 and under.
Those who are 16 and older must have their booster shot if over 270 days have passed since their last shot (calculated from the last day of the cruise).
Kids under five don’t need to be vaccinated at all.
Disney Cruise Line
All passengers who are eligible to be vaccinated must be fully vaccinated to sail; this includes guests ages five and older. Unvaccinated kids under five are permitted to sail.
Booster shots are not required.
Holland America Line
Passengers ages 12 and older must be vaccinated to sail. Kids ages 5 to 11 may sail without vaccination but must be approved for an exemption. Unvaccinated kids 4 and under can sail without needing to apply for an exemption.
Booster shots are generally not necessary but may be required by destinations on certain itineraries.
Read the latest details
MSC Cruises
All kids 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated kids under 12 are also allowed to sail.
Booster shots aren’t required.
MORE: Which Cruise Lines Require Masks?
Norwegian Cruise Line
All guests 12 and older must be fully vaccinated to sail. Unvaccinated kids under 12 are also allowed to cruise on Norwegian.
Booster shots are not required.
Oceania Cruises
All kids must be vaccinated to sail with Oceania Cruises. Those who are not old enough to get the vaccine are not permitted to sail.
Booster shots aren’t required.
Princess Cruises
All passengers who are eligible to be vaccinated must be fully vaccinated to sail; this includes guests ages five and older. Unvaccinated kids under five are permitted to sail without an exemption.
Booster shots are not required.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
All kids must be vaccinated to sail with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Those who are not old enough to get the vaccine are not permitted to sail.
Royal Caribbean
All guests 12 and older must be fully vaccinated to sail. Unvaccinated kids under 12 are permitted to sail.
Booster shots are not required.
Seabourn
Passengers ages 12 and older must be vaccinated to sail. Kids ages 5 to 11 may sail without vaccination but must be approved for an exemption. Unvaccinated kids 4 and under can sail without needing to apply for an exemption.
Booster shots are generally not necessary, but may be required by destinations on certain itineraries.
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