Royal Caribbean International stated that the U.S. Virgin Islands will not allow cruise ships to visit its ports without all passengers aged 12 and above being vaccinated against Covid-19.Royal Caribbean was informed by the USVI government about its new policy. The line stated in a statement dated Aug. 2.Royal Caribbean has announced that it will now require all passengers to be fully vaccinated against the virus in light of this new policy.Royal Caribbean stated that guests who are unable to prove their vaccinations will not be permitted to sail.Children under 12 years old are exempted from the requirement for a Covid vaccination. They must be negative for Covid and adhere to certain protocols on board.Royal Caribbean's Allure Of The Seas will make a stop in St. Thomas during a seven-day cruise that departs Port Canaveral, Aug. 8. Royal informed booked passengers of the new USVI policy. They also offered the possibility to get a refund or a different cruise.Another change will affect the Allure cruise. This demonstrates how complex it is to plan multi-port cruise itineraries in the midst of a pandemic. Royal stated that St. Kitts has restricted cruise visits to ships carrying 700 passengers or less.Royal Caribbean stated in a communication to passengers that they would now be visiting Philipsburg, St. Maarten instead.Grenada, another Caribbean island, allows only adults to travel at its airports and cruise ports.
