Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises have joined UK sister brands P&O Cruises and Cunard in relaxing Covid-19 protocols for passengers.
No testing will be required for vaccinated passengers on sailings of less than 16 days.
Unvaccinated passengers will only need to show a negative test result taken within three days of departure at the time of embarkation.
The change in the guidelines will take place from September 6, the same date that P&O Cruises and Cunard remove the testing mandate for fully jabbed passengers on shorter sailings.
The updated guidelines by the US-based Carnival Corporation lines are subject to local regulations of applicable homeports and destinations.
Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy said: “Our ships have been sailing very full all summer, but there is still room for more of our loyal guests, and these guidelines will make it a simpler process, and make cruising accessible for those who were not able to meet the protocols we were required to follow for much of the past 14 months.
“We’ve got lots happening, with Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Celebration joining our fleet this November and more to come in 2023.”
She added that Carnival was in the process of updating its website, communications, and processes, and sharing more details with guests and travel agents to reflect the new, simplified policies.
“We appreciate the patience of our guests and travel advisor partners as we update all materials, but the end result is a very positive one for all who are looking forward to cruising with us,” Duffy said.
Princess Cruises president John Padgett said: “These updated guidelines help ensure a Princess vacation is available to everyone.”