Carnival Cruise Line Announced New Mask and Testing Protocols

Carnival Cruise Line announced changes in its mask and testing protocols. These changes were made after Carnival Cruise Line found a “small number of positive cases” on their ship. Carnival didn’t announce the number of positive cases discovered aboard the Carnival Vista. After testing positive, the cruise line isolated the COVID-positive passengers.

Their statement said that “Our pre-established protocols of vaccinated guests and crew, testing, enhanced medical capabilities, and contact tracing anticipated the potential for positive cases, and they are designed to adapt to various scenarios”.

Updated Mask and Testing Protocols

The updated mask and testing protocols will require even vaccinated guests to put on their masks in certain areas. This will include indoor areas. These rules will take effect on August 7. However, Carnival Vista started these protocols on Wednesday evening.

Brand Ambassador and Senior Cruise Director of Carnival Cruise Line John Heald said in a Facebook video: “In any (indoor) area where many people are gathered and when you’re not eating or drinking, we are going to require you to wear a face mask”. He also added that “this is for all guests, not just those who are unvaccinated”.

Aside from wearing masks even for vaccinated passengers, there will be a new pre-cruise testing requirement. And yes, this will also apply even for vaccinated guests. Guests will need to show a negative COVID19 test, either PCR or antigen taken three days before departure. This new testing guideline will start by August 14.

Heald said that “This is what we have to do, and we ask for your understanding”. He continued saying that “We have to be careful, and we have to get this right”.

Vaccinated Cruise

Carnival Cruise Line follows the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s conditional sailing order. The health agency requires a 95% vaccination threshold for both passengers and crew. Carnival also announced that their crew completed their vaccination doses.