Celebrity Drops Vaccine Requirement For Teens in Europe
Good news for families with teens: Celebrity Cruises has dropped its vaccine requirement for passengers 17 and under on all of its sailings in Europe. Now, unvaccinated kids and teens have the option to either bring a negative test result taken within one day of sailing, or get tested at the cruise terminal during embarkation.
In Europe, Celebrity Cruises currently sails from ports including Southampton, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Piraeus, and Civitavecchia.
This news comes around the same time as the CDC’s latest COVID travel update, which no longer requires that those entering the U.S. on an international flight present a negative test.
STORY: Celebrity Drops Vaccination Requirement For Guests Under 18 on European Cruises
Viking Ditches Pre-Cruise Testing Requirements
Following the announcement from the U.S. government that it is lifting the testing requirement for air travelers to enter the country, Viking has lifted its COVID testing requirements for cruise guests.
The line said that guests will no longer need to test prior to their cruise, or onboard. However, it will continue providing testing if a guest reports symptoms, requests a test, or if the shipboard medical team deems it necessary.
There are exceptions, though, as select ocean voyages on Viking Orion and Octantis in the U.S. and Canada will still require a pre-cruise test to sail.
STORY: Viking Eliminates Pre-Cruise & Onboard Testing Requirements
Royal Caribbean Files a Request to Use SpaceX’s Starlink Internet on Its Ships
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet may be coming to cruise ships. In a filing with the FCC on Friday, Royal Caribbean Group requested that it be able to offer SpaceX’s Starlink on its ships.
Currently Starlink is not approved for use on any moving vehicles, but Royal Caribbean is urging the FCC to approve SpaceX’s request to allow that.
The cruise brand is the first in the industry to file a request with the FCC about using Starlink.
STORY: Royal Caribbean Looks To Add SpaceX Starlink Internet Onboard Cruise Ships