Making Sure You Feel Taken Care of (and Safe)
Updated April 27, 2022
You want your vacation to be as safe as possible. So do we. The health and safety of you, our crew and the places we visit is our top priority. That’s why we have vaccination rates on our ships approaching 100% and work with health authorities to create protocols that put safety first, which we update as things change.
Beyond that, a MedallionClass® vacation puts you in control with TrulyTouchless™ experiences and service that makes you feel special. That means doors that open up for you. Your favorite drinks finding you. And having everything just how you like it on a vacation with the biggies – accommodations, entertainment and dining – included.
Cruising with Princess isn’t just a great value. It’s one of the safest vacations you can have.
Current Health Protocols for Cruises
- Vaccinations
- Guests must have received their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before the beginning of the cruise and provide acceptable proof at terminal check-in.
- Boosters are highly recommended for those eligible at least seven days before cruising.
- Testing
- At terminal check-in guests must provide proof of a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken before or at embarkation.
Travel requirements are subject to change and vary by destination. Check our FAQs, Princess communications and official government sites often for specifics for your voyage.
Watch our CruiseHealth videoView frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Guest and Travel Protocols
Before finalizing travel plans, carefully review our protocols and recommendations from government health authorities. If you're travelling internationally, make sure you understand all entry and airline requirements to go from your home country to the destinations you plan to visit, including where health authorities may require pre-travel COVID-19 testing.
Things change so details continue to be updated regularly. We recommend checking out official websites and apps developed by government agencies and tourism ministries.
The MedallionClass® Experience
Now available on all ships, Princess MedallionClass lets you decide who you interact with and how. Enjoy TrulyTouchless™ experiences and personalized service that makes everything easier, including physical distancing.
- crowd-free, simplified safety training
- JourneyView® activities timeline
- OceanNow® service on demand
- MedallionPay™ contactless payment
- More digital entertainment and gaming
Online Check-In
The MedallionClass app makes completing important OceanReady® steps and cruise check-in a breeze. These include:
- selecting a preferred port arrival time to help stagger boarding
- completing the health questionnaire
- confirming the passage contract, COVID-19 acceptance and vaccination attestation
It’s important that you arrive at your assigned time because we can't accommodate early arrivals and you'll be asked to return at that time anyway.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements
We are currently operating vaccinated cruises. Children under five are welcome without an exemption. Fully vaccinated guests must:
- have received your final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise
- confirm your status as fully vaccinated for COVID-19
- provide proof of vaccination before boarding1
Please come prepared. If you arrive at the embarkation terminal without the proper proof of vaccination you won't be able to cruise, and no refund will be issued. We don't want that!
Proof of Vaccination
For details on acceptable proof of vaccination, please visit our FAQs for your cruise.
1Vaccination exemptions must be pre-approved and are subject to capacity controls. Exemptions are not granted on embarkation day. Unvaccinated guests and children under five must follow specific protocols and testing requirements as communicated to them in advance, as a condition for travel.
COVID-19 Testing Requirements
Sailings from the United States2: We will also require ALL fully vaccinated guests to produce a negative, medically-observed COVID-19 test prior to embarkation on all Princess sailings: PCR tests must be taken within 3 days of boarding and antigen tests must be taken within two days of boarding. You’ll be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival in the terminal to board.
2Even if you've received a vaccination exemption, you're still required to take a negative PCR test within three days of embarkation and will be tested again in the terminal before boarding the ship and again within 24 hours of disembarkation (for itineraries five days or longer). Unvaccinated guests will be charged for testing and administration.
Enhanced Health Screenings
You'll need to complete an online health questionnaire in the MedallionClass app within 24 hours of your sailing and undergo enhanced pre-embarkation health screenings, which will include confirmation of your responses, validation of vaccination documents and any required COVID-19 testing. We will refer anyone with signs and symptoms of COVID-19, or who are identified at-risk, for additional medical screening before allowing them to board. Secondary screenings (and health checks throughout the cruise) will be performed when necessary. Contact tracing is planned for every cruise.
Mask Recommendation
Masks are recommended, but not required. Exceptions may apply where masks are required in certain venues. We’ll clearly designate any situations in which masks are required with signage and onboard communications.
We always recommend you wash or replace your mask daily and choose a good quality mask.
Onboard Health Practices
We encourage everyone to use the hand-washing sinks and hand sanitizer dispensers at venue entrances and in high-traffic areas throughout the ship. We also ask you to follow health information about the ways to stay healthy on board and when ashore through daily programming, entertainment systems, announcements, in-stateroom literature and our app. There will be no self-service for meals. We’ll do the serving for you. And we'll clean public areas and staterooms thoroughly and more frequently using a safe disinfectant proven to quickly kill coronaviruses.
Ventilation
Ships feature enhanced air filtration with upgraded HVAC systems. These systems are designed to replace air within public spaces and staterooms every five to six minutes. HEPA filters are used in key areas, such as medical centers and dedicated isolation rooms, as a further safeguard.
Youth and Teen Programs
Our youth and teen programs will continue to operate with enhanced health protocols. To limit crowding in the centers, entry will be restricted to youth participants. High touch surfaces, supplies, and equipment will be sanitized frequently.
Safe Experiences Ashore
While some ports allow independent tours and exploration, we highly recommend you choose a Princess shore excursion as these follow the same health and safety protocols that we have on board. You will be required to follow the health protocols for every port we visit. This includes local government guidance for mask wearing, physical distancing, testing/health screenings, etc. Protocols may be subject to change without notice. We'll share the status of local guidelines with you prior to disembarkation at each destination.
Medical Care
Our highly-trained medical staff includes doctors and nurses capable of caring for a broad range of medical conditions, including COVID-19. Medical centers are equipped with COVID testing and treatment capabilities. We require all team members to wear Princess-approved face masks.
For best practices, see our Healthy Cruising Tips Infographic (PDF)
