Royal Caribbean Group Drops Pre-Embarkation Testing on Short Journeys

Pre-embarkation testing will no longer be required for fully immunized passengers on sailings lasting five days or less starting on 8th August, according to Royal Caribbean Group president and chief executive Jason Liberty.

On Thursday, 28th July, Liberty stated the change in procedure would be “subject to local destination requirements” and unvaccinated travelers would still be subject to testing.

“We also anticipate in the not-too-distant future that pre-embarkation testing for longer-duration voyages will be reduced,” he added.

Whether asked during the call when the testing requirements for longer cruises may be relaxed, Liberty indicated additional softening may come shortly but did not completely rule out restoring measures if necessary.

“So we’re starting off here by doing the five days or less and we’re going to look at that. But I think our expectation here, call it, in the next 45 days or so. And of course, following local requirements, which will somewhat dictate in some of our destinations, what those testing requirements will be that the majority of the testing requirements will be lifted, especially around the majority of our deployment,” he said.

“We might, depending on where the ships are going, take some additional protocols and of course, we’re going to continue to follow where Covid is in society and take the necessary actions.”

With the group’s complete fleet now back in operation, Royal reported a return to “positive operating cash flow” at the same time as the update.