Major Cruise Ship Companies Relax COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Policies After CDC Drops Rule

The Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, is seen moored in the Port of Miami on Aug. 1, 2021. Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

Two of the largest cruise ship operators in the U.S. announced they’ve relaxed COVID-19 rules, coming weeks after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rescinded its mandatory testing guidelines.

Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Group both announced in separate statements that they will remove some testing requirements for vaccinated customers.