Carnival Cruise Line bookings double...

Carnival has eliminated pre-cruise testing requirements for vaccinated guests from 6 September

According to Carnival Cruise Line, its booking activity for Monday 15 August was nearly double the level for the equivalent day in 2019.

The operator attributes the increased demand to the announcement that it was revising pre-cruise vaccination and testing requirements that will allow more guests to cruise.

Carnival eliminated pre-cruise testing requirements for vaccinated guests and the exemption request process for unvaccinated guests, who will now only need to show a negative Covid-19 test result at embarkation.

Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy said: "We have previously disclosed strong occupancy projections for the summer, and our bookings through the end of 2022 have also been very solid.

"With the further alignment of protocols to other vacation choices, our guests are booking the remaining 2022 inventory, and getting a head start planning for 2023.

"Mid-August is typically not a busy month for cruise bookings, but it's clear that pent-up demand for Carnival has not been satisfied and guests are responding very favourably to our updated protocols."

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Duffy reiterated that Carnival remains committed to the health and safety of guests, crew and the communities it visits.

The changes to Carnival Cruise Line’s embarkation policy will come into effect for cruises departing on 6 September or later on voyages of less than 16 nights.

For more information, visit www.carnival.com