Do Unvaccinated Guests Need Insurance To Sail Royal Caribbean?

Royal Caribbean is sailing from US ports beginning in July! One of the requirements for sailing from Florida is that unvaccinated guests need insurance to sail between August 1 and December 31, 2021. Following CDC guidelines and other health and safety protocols, Royal is encouraging guests to be fully vaccinated and in addition to the insurance requirement, has some restrictions for unvaccinated guests.

Related: Unvaccinated guests sailing on Freedom of the Seas in July 2021
Related: Protocols for sailing Royal Caribbean in August 2021

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Health and safety protocols for cruising seem to change daily but one thing that isn’t going to change at Royal Caribbean for the rest of 2021 is the requirement for specific insurance being needed for unvaccinated guests sailing from Florida. I’m a believer in trip insurance and encourage my clients to purchase it when traveling but Royal is taking it a step further and making it mandatory for unvaccinated guests sailing from Florida. Note: If you booked your August-December cruise between March 19 and June 28, 2021 you are exempt but consider purchasing insurance anyway.

To be crystal clear, as a condition of boarding, each unvaccinated guest 12 and older must provide proof of a valid insurance policy that has a minimum of (a) $25,000 per person in medical expense coverage and (b) $50,000 per person for quarantine and medical evacuation related to a positive COVID-19 test result. The insurance policy must name the unvaccinated guest as the policy holder or beneficiary, and may be purchased from a travel insurance company of the guest’s choosing or (what I advise) through the Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program, which includes the requisite coverage. And again, this policy applies to Florida sailings from August 1 through December 31, 2021, and all bookings — except bookings made between March 19, 2021 and June 28, 2021.

This policy (and all the others) has been put in place to keep guests and crew safe and healthy while onboard and ensure a positive vacation experience for guests. If the testing requirements (and cost)are objectionable, Royal Caribbean will provide a refund.

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