Two additional major cruise lines will mandate vaccination proof for Florida voyages

As per the new regulations from the Bahamas, most guests booked on Carnival Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line ships must now present proof of vaccination to board.

From September 3 to November 1, 2021, the Bahamas—one of the top destinations for warm-weather cruises—will require cruise lines to confirm that all eligible passengers are vaccinated before they can disembark in the country.

This means that anyone aged 12 and above, unless medically exempt, must be vaccinated and provide proof before they can set sail.

"Effective from August 28 through October, passengers departing from all Atlantic and Gulf homeports are only exempt from vaccination requirements if they are children under 12 or have a medical condition that prevents vaccination," according to a statement on Carnival's website.

It's notable that the statement specifies only Atlantic (East Coast) and Gulf homeports. The cruise line's COVID-19 policies clarify that cruisers from the West Coast, particularly Long Beach, California, may still receive vaccine exemptions for children under 12, as mandated by U.S. federal law. However, these exemptions are not guaranteed and depend on the total vaccinated guests expected on board.

This implies that there could be unvaccinated passengers sailing from the West Coast who are older than 12 and lack medical conditions, provided that at least 95% of the guests on the ship are vaccinated, as ships must adhere to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines requiring 95% vaccination.

Meanwhile, Disney Cruise Line's announcement states, "For voyages to the Bahamas starting September 3, 2021, until November 1, 2021, all guests aged 12 and above must be fully vaccinated to board the ship... Those unable to present proof of vaccination will not be allowed to embark on the cruise."

Most cruises heading to the Bahamas—this includes private islands like Carnival's Half Moon Cay and Disney's Castaway Cay—typically set sail from Florida. However, Governor Ron DeSantis has signed an executive order that prohibits businesses in the state from requiring proof of vaccination. Earlier this month, a Florida judge granted a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit from Norwegian Cruise Line, permitting NCL to mandate vaccination proof for its passengers.

Following the recent ruling, the new protocols in the Bahamas, and the official approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), both Carnival and Disney have adopted similar measures to Norwegian. Royal Caribbean also announced last week that it will now require travelers to present their vaccine cards before boarding from Florida.

In its most recent guidance, the CDC recommends that unvaccinated travelers or those with underlying health conditions should steer clear of cruise ships. Additionally, the agency advises Americans to avoid traveling to the Bahamas.